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New York, NY — After years of rumors, denial, speculation, and hoping, Mel Brooks and his 1974 cult classic Blazing Saddles, will finally be coming to Broadway. Blazing Saddles: The Musical, will be showing at the St. James Theatre starting in February of 2013. This is the same theater Brooks put on his smash hit musical The Producers back in 2001 that went on to run for over 2,500 performances.

Fans of Brooks, the comic genius behind movies such as Spaceballs and Young Frankenstein should enjoy his new live stage musical set in the Old West. Adapted from the original movie, the story centers around a town in the way of a railroad and a corrupt political boss that is attempting to make the town unlivable. After the sheriff of the town is killed, a black sheriff is appointed in an attempt to run off the townspeople. Instead of this working for the villain, the new sheriff quickly becomes his most formidable adversary.

Michael Spielman who is a theater critic with the New York Times said he is excited about this musical finally being made. “This will be the show to see in 2013. It’s been a long time in the making, but should definitely be worth it. With Mel Brooks behind this, you can’t go wrong.”

Teaming up with Brooks is the legendary Broadway producer “Hal” Prince. Directing is Kathleen Marshall, a three-time Tony Award winner. Blazing Saddles: The Musical stars Omar Epps (from the television show House M.D.) as the black sheriff simply known as Bart. Playing Jim, Gene Wilder’s charter from the movie, is James Naughton (two-time Tony Award Winner). Critically-acclaimed actor and three-time Tony Awards host Neil Patrick Harris will be playing the role of villain Hedley Lamarr. Other cast include Lin-Manuel Miranda (two-time Tony Award winner), Paul Horner (four-time Tony Award winner) and Kristin Chenoweth (Tony Award winner) in the role of Lili Von Shtupp.

Blazing Saddles: The Musical will begin showing February 1st, 2013. The St. James Theatre is located at 246 W. 44th Street in New York. For tickets call (785) 273-0325 or you can purchase them online.