Dallyn Vail Bayles is performing at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem at the end of February. Bayles is known in the LDS community for his portrayal of Hyrum Smith in “Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration” and “Emma Smith: My Story.”
Adam J. Richardson, president and CEO of SCERA, said Bayles will be performing some of his favorite songs from Broadway as well as some inspirational ones.
“This is an evening not to be missed and one that will definitely leave you with a smile,” Richardson said.
Two female singers will accompany Bayles during the two nights of his performances. Rachel Woodward Hansen will perform with him on Saturday, Feb. 27; Amy Schreeve Keeler will perform with him on Monday, Feb. 29.
Bayles said he hopes to keep a core message of inspiration and fun in the music he performs, “as well as something that is touching.”
“I think it’s going to be a really wonderful evening,” Bayles said. “(I) have some really great songs and something that people can connect to.”
BYU fans of Bayles are excited about seeing Bayles live. One fan, Colin Wylie, plans on going and said the best part about his show will be the “intimacy of the crowd in a small venue.”
“This will be a great opportunity to see an amazing Broadway performer, up close and personal, and people should definitely take advantage,” Wylie said.
Apart from working on religious movies, Bayles has also done two Broadway tours: Enjolras in “Les Miserables” and “The Phantom of the Opera.” He said he always enjoys singing “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” as well as “Music of The Night” and “All I Ask of You” from “The Phantom of the Opera,” so he will definitely perform some of those songs.
“Les Miserables” is especially significant to Bayles because it was the musical that inspired him to pursue a career in musical theater.
Bayles said he didn’t have a lot of culture in the small town of Green River, Utah, where he grew up. But one music and drama teacher introduced him to Broadway and theater. She took him to see “Les Miserables” when he was in ninth grade.
“Once I saw it,” Bayles said, “I knew that that is what I wanted to do.”
The actors who performed in that show inspired Bayles so much that every time he performs on the stage, he wants to inspire his audience just as much.
“I want to give my best to whoever is out in that audience because I don’t know who may be touched by what I have to say or what I’m doing right now and may inspire them for good,” Bayles said.
Bayles graduated from BYU in music dance theatre in 2004. He has two pieces of advice for students who want to pursue a career in musical theater: Hold to what you know is true and work hard.
“Because the career of musical theater is one where the morals are very loose in general and there is a wide range of ideas about what is right and what is wrong,” Bayles said, “my first advice to people is make sure you know who you are, make sure you know what you believe and what you feel is right … Always stay true to that no matter what may come your way.”
He said those who have not made those decisions for themselves will be easily influenced by others.
On the advice to work hard, Bayles said to “get out there.”
“Become the very best that you can possibly be,” he said. “Be dedicated to your craft. Be dedicated to becoming a better actor, a better singer, a better dancer, and then get out there and show them what you got.”
He said apart from these two things, there is not much more one can do because the rest is decided by other people. But the promptings of the Spirit can help people know what to do with their talents.
“Maybe it is to end up on Broadway, maybe it is to just sing in a ward choir,” Bayles said. “Either way, you will be using your talents in the way the Lord would have you use them. And to me, that’s the ultimate goal. It’s not so much to make it on Broadway as much as it is to use your talents in a way that’s pleasing to God. And if it is pleasing to him, then you can bet it’s going to be fulfilling to you.”
Bayles’ performances are Saturday, Feb. 27 and Monday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem. Adult tickets are $12.
