Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Dreaming Wide Awake

By Jeremiah Ginn

was surprised at the utter lack of D artists in my library. I really thought I had more, but alas, I don't I do however have two very fun albums in the Musical Theater Genre.

First, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Yes, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, just like the movie. The musical was made back in March of 2005. The show starred TV's John Lithgow, along with Broadway veterans Norbert Leo Butz, Sherie Rene Scott, and Joanna Gleason. It received 11 Tony Award nominations, but only won one (Best Performance By A Leading Actor in a Musical-Norbert Leo Butz). The music isn't my favorite actually. It has everything from rap, to country, to pop, jazz, and of course your classic musical theater sound. Some of my favorite songs from the album include the opening number "Give Them What They Want," along with "Here I Am," "Love Is My Legs," and "Dirty Rotten Number." Those I think are the most memorable and better written songs. The others are rather forgettable. I think the music works for the show as a whole, but when taken out of context, it isn't as enjoyable.

And next, the Album by songwriter Scott Alan, Dreaming Wide Awake. I love the music on this album. It is more a conglomeration of music he has written for the theater... almost like a song cycle. And the music is diverse, entertaining, and powerful. He covers so many different styles in the album, I don't even know how to describe it. Some of the highlights for me include the songs "I'm a Star", "Surrender," "Home," "Now," "Never Neverland (Fly Away)," "Kiss the Air," and "Say Goodbye."

The one thing that most of these songs have in common is that good friends from college have sang one or more of these songs at some point during our college career in unforgettable performances. I will never forget Megan singing "I'm a Star," Becca singing "Home," and Bailee singing "Say Goodbye" in our BYU Music Dance Theater showcases. And of course Daysha rocked "Never Neverland (Fly Away)" in her Young Ambassador audition (it got her into the group!). "Kiss the Air" will forever be PJ's song (he sang it at Live at the Loft in Provo), and then I personally just love the songs "Surrender" and "Now." Scott Alan is a great composer, and even if you don't like musical theater necessarily, I highly recommend giving this album a listen. You won't be disappointed.