BWW INTERVIEWS: Scott Alan About His Concert JUST ME - AND THEM

You're returning to London for only your second UK concert. What are you looking forward to about being back?        

This concert has been designed completely differently than the first concert and I am excited about having a much more hands-on approach and being a part of the moments leading up to the concert more than I did with the first concert. I actually feel as if this is my real first concert in London. Not to take away any of the hard work that was put into the first concert, but this is a concert designed around my work and my heart is just as much a part of this concert as any other concert that I have done around the states. I met Simon Greiff, who is producing this concert, when he and his wife (Annalene Beechey) both performed in the first concert, so if I was able to take anything from that concert, it was my friendship with the both of them. 

Tickets for the show are selling well. How does that make you feel given that this is only going to be your second time here?

It makes me feel incredible. Success is defined differently for every individual, but I have always defined success as being able to touch one person, let alone an entire audience of theatre lovers. The audience in London is one of the best and I can't wait to return and have an opportunity to bring my music to them. I just feel blessed that there is interest.

When you decided to put together the concert were there any West End performers that you knew you had to have perform with you?

Well, right away, I knew if I was doing this concert, Annalene had to be a part of it. She is in the process of mixing her debut CD and has recorded two of my songs for the CD, and so I know my experience in London wouldn't be proper without her talents gracing the stage with me. Other than Annalene, I put all my trust and faith into Simon's hands. The talent that he has lined up for this concert is unreal. I have been a fan of so many of these performers for a long time and I just can't wait to finally meet them and work with them.

You have an impressive list of West End performers pencilled in to perform. Have you decided what songs they will be singing and how do you choose who will sing which song?

All of the songs have been given to the performers and, for many, they picked the song that they were familiar with; for others, Simon really took a listen to the CDs and picked the best voice with the best song to really showcase their talent. It's always important to me that the performer loves the song they're singing.  If they don't, the audience can feel it and it doesn't translate properly, so Simon had been really hands-on making sure that this figured in to each of their decisions on what song to sing. 

Can the London audience expect any new songs apart from songs off the two albums?

They can. I will keep hush, though, other than that.

Can we expect another CD signing?

I will be doing a massive CD signing following the second concert, so all those that got tickets to the first concert, hopefully, they will stick around for the second concert and come to the signing. I really can't wait to meet the audience. There is also another CD signing in the works, but I need to stay mum on that until it is officially released.  

Your songs are always personal to you. How does it feel to have someone else singing them and interpreting them in their own way?

Amazing. I always hear from people that they like hearing me sing my work, but, I feel so passionate about hearing other interpretations of my work. To hear some of the greatest voices singing personal words of mine, is a feeling that is hard to explain. It's moving.  

Have you ever written a song that you felt was just too personal to share?

Never.  I think all my music is personal and I think that's what songwriting is. Putting your heart into music and lyrics and finding others who feel the way you do. 

You are known for writing and singing your own songs but if there was a dream role you wished you could play then what would that be?

Wow, wonderful question. I grew up wanting to be a musical theatre performer, so trust me, I have many. I would die to play Danny in the musical Baby. I'd also love to be Dicken in The Secret Garden, which is still, in my humble opinion, one of the most glorious scores ever written. 

Do you have a dream performer that you'd love to work with? What is it about this person that makes you want to work with them?

Oh, I have many dream performers, like Tina Arena, who I think has one of the most soothing voices I've ever heard. Lea Salonga is another. The list could go on forever if I really wanted to. Since I love discovering new talent though, I have a feeling I haven't even met my dream performer yet, but when I do, the world will know.

Scott Alan's concert takes place on Sunday October 11 with performances at 5pm and 8pm at the Leicester Square Theatre, London.

The cast includes:
Stephen Ashfield (Taboo, Jersey Boys),
John Barr (Les Miserables, Bat Boy),
David Bedella (Jerry Springer The Opera, Rocky Horror Show),
Annalene Beechey (Wicked, Marguerite),
Glenn Carter (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar),
Anna Francolini (Company, Caroline or Change),
Ashleigh Gray (Grease, Wicked),
Alison Jiear (Jerry Springer The Opera, On The Town),
Ramin Karimloo (Phantom, Phantom: Love Never Dies),
Rebecca Lock (Avenue Q, Phantom),
Patina Miller (Sister Act, Romantic Poetry),
John Owen-Jones (Phantom, Les Miserables),
Caroline Sheen (Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins),
Oliver Tompsett (Mamma Mia, Wicked)

For more information about the concert visit: www.leicestersquaretheatre.com