If not the governor's mansion for Kinky Friedman, then why not Broadway?

As Kinky Friedman sat in the back row of the cozy Stages Repertory Theatre watching three other "Kinky Friedmans" sing his songs and recite his witticisms, the man of many words, while not exactly speechless, was certainly bemused.

The irreverent master of modern politics, cigar aficionado and Texas troubadour had three words to sum up his feelings after the reading of Ted Swindley's play Becoming Kinky Friedman: The World According to Kinky Friedman. "It was surreal," he said.

Of course, watching three caricatures of himself in classic Kinky western threads (these from Pinto Ranch) recite such familiar Kinky-isms as "I'm a drunk with a writing problem" and "I've always wanted a lifestyle that didn't require my presence" could be disconcerting. But our man Kinky was unflappable.

"Ted Swindley is a genius of the theater," he said, comparing the author, who also penned Always, Patsy Cline, to Oscar Wilde. 

"Every few years a great Texas piece that resonates with audiences comes along like Urban Cowboy or Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and this could be the next one," Friedman said adding that he believes that the two-hour production starring three Kinkys and one Little Jewford could make it big in London, where fans lap up his colloquialisms and Texas wisdom. Likewise, he expects that it will do well in cities such as Dallas and New York where sophisticated Texas humor is appreciated.

Dressed in his typical western attire —  jeans, black duster, black shirt and cowboy hat, cigar firmly planted between his teeth, Friedman congratulated Swindley on the play. The audience showed its approval with belly laughs, applause and continuous chuckles. Some laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks.

Swindley, who founded Stages 32 years ago and now calls Nashville and New York home, oversaw readings of the play at the June Havoc Theater in New York earlier this summer.

"Houston is bringing it home," he said. "New York was trying it out."

The seed for Becoming Kinky was planted over breakfast with Carolyn Farb, a Friedman friend who was a major campaign supporter during his run for governor. Swindley explained, "Carolyn was the muse. Carolyn (a co-producer of the play) still continues to be the muse."

Joining Swindley in the effort is co-producer and co-director MJ Wilson. Their goal is to see the play make it to Off Broadway. As Farb said after the reading, "We have Kinky in Texas and now we want to share him with the world."

With Kinky Friedman & the Texas Jewboys hits such as "I'm Proud To Be an Asshole from El Paso" and "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed," how could it fail?

Keeping the elevated spirits high, the invitation-only reading was followed by margaritas and Tex-Mex bites from Doneraki. If the partying torched the need for nicotine, those lighting up stogies, including Friedman, had to step outside for their smokes.