Dallyn Vail Bayles was about 10 when he found out about dreams. His teacher took his class to see a touring production of "Les Miserables."
"I was blown away that anyone could be that talented, could sing and perform like that. I wanted so much to be that good, too." Growing up in Green River, Bayles (pronounced Bay-less) knew that small-town opportunities were different than big-city opportunities. "But I knew I could work hard to develop and achieve what I could. From then on, I had that distant goal."
Bayles was in college at Brigham Young University when he discovered that some dreams do come true. He was cast as Feuilly in the Broadway touring company of "Les Miserables," and soon after he performed in the show's China premiere with the original Jean Valjean, Colm Wilkinson. He later took over the role of Enjolras and toured with the company for more than a year.
It was not a dream he took lightly. "Every night, I'd walk around the stage and see the lights, the sets, the famous turntable, and I'd be in awe. That sense of awe never left me."
Since then, Bayles has gone on to other productions both on stage and in film. He played Alma Richards in "Light of the World" during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. He portrays Hyrum Smith in the LDS Church film "Joseph Smith, The Prophet of the Restoration." He's appeared in LDS Church pageants in Nauvoo, other LDS films, and in the Seattle Village Theatre's production of "The Secret Garden." He recently completed a run as Phillipe in Fullerton Civic Light Opera's production of "Phantom of the Opera" in Los Angeles.
And now he is adding a CD to his repertoire. While he has appeared on other CDs in the past, his first solo project, "Prayer," will be officially released with a concert in Orem on Tuesday.
It has been another dream come true, he says. "At first, I didn't know anything about producing a CD." So, he began to chat with people who did.
He talked to Tyler Castleton, who recommended that he talk to Sam Cardon. "I showed Sam a list of songs I was considering, and he noticed that almost all of them were about prayers in one form or another. The light bulb went on, and I knew I had the concept I wanted."
It took a while to get everything in place, but, he says, "it was a wonderful process. It was something I could really put my heart and soul into. I was fortunate to be working with some of the very best talent, and it turned out better than it had any right to because of that."
The collection was produced by Castleton and includes some of his arrangements as well as others by Kurt Bestor, Jay Richards, Rob Gardner and Dave Zabriskie. Violinist Jenny Oaks Bakers is featured on one song, as are the Brigham Young University Singers.
Songs include some from his theatrical roots — "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables," as well as "Better Than I" from "Joseph: King of Dreams." There are also prayers of supplication ("He's My Son," "Not My Will") and of praise and gratitude ("Savior, Redeemer of My Soul"). There are songs of affirmation ("I Have Seen Him") and of answer ("My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee").
"I love doing songs written as prayers because they are so powerful and beautiful — which makes sense because prayer is such a powerful, intimate, passionate experience," he says. "I know that in my life, when I'm at my lowest or when I'm the happiest, those are the times I'm on my knees."
He thinks the songs strike a universal chord because prayer is such a universal part of all faiths and religions. And, he says, music is an ideal way to share those powerful messages.
"I personally believe that music should not be self-serving. I don't stand and sing with the idea that people should watch me. I'm a servant to the message and spirit of the music. It goes beyond me to touch lives and communicate. If I've done my job, then people can walk away inspired, uplifted, changed, healed — all those wonderful things that come out of music."
For Bayles, this is the life he dreamed of as a young boy, and living it is a blessed experience, he says. But as he's grown, so have his goals and dreams. Performing is a big part of his life, but so is providing for his family — he's now married and has three young children. "So, yes, I still dream of standing on the stage in New York — but now not so much to be in the bright lights as because that's where the best-paying jobs are."
But if his goals have become more practical, they are still very important. "I still set high goals and try to achieve them."
He knows it's not easy to make a living in the competitive world of theater and music. "It's a very fun, sporadic, crazy life. But I love doing it. I'm grateful for a family that's so supportive so I can do what I do."
Even more, he's grateful for the chance he has to touch the hearts of others. "I can't imagine any higher purpose for art and music than to inspire and uplift lives."
If you go
What: Dallyn Vail Bayles
Where: SCERA Showhouse II, 745 S. State, Orem
When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
How Much: Adults $10, students $8
Phone: 801-255-2787
Web: www.scera.org
E-mail: carma@desnews.com