"The Hitler with a song in his heart..."

Life imitates art, except even stranger. Coming on the heels of the success of the revival of "The Producers," the BBC informs us that Mongolia is producing a rock opera about Ghengis Khan, highlighting his "softer side."

The rock opera is one of a number of events marking 800 years since Mongolia's foundation.

Lyricist Dojpalem Ganzorig said he wanted to show the country's founder - viewed as a ruthless conqueror by much of the world - in a different light.

"He was a good husband, a good son, and a good friend and I wanted to show him that way," he said.

"Not as a tyrant or someone with a bad character which is how some people see him."

The production tells how Genghis Khan united the Mongol tribes and became their leader against the odds.

It combines operatic singing with a rock beat, although traditional Mongolian elements like throat-singing and the horse-head fiddle also feature.

Uh, millions of people were killed.

A check of Google has revealed nobody making any plans to make a musical about George W. Bush, however.