A Funny Time to Be Gay

AKA is the story of a disaffected youth's search for love, status, and identity in late 1970s Britain. 18-year old Dean is handsome and bright, but feels hampered by his working-class background and by his family. In order to make something of himself, Dean assumes another identity and manages to enter high society. As he navigates this decadent new world, he meets a host of characters, including David, an older gay man who desires him, and Benjamin, a young hustler from Texas who has also managed to find a place among the aristocracy. Can Dean find love while living a lie? How much is he willing to sacrifice in order to pull off his charade? Presented through three simultaneous frames rather than one.

My overriding goal during my treasured 31 years as conductor of BYU Singers was to give both students and audiences experiences that would fulfill and stretch their musical sensibilities. It was not difficult finding concert literature to accomplish part of this goal, but it was in my desire to balance the program that I experienced frustration. I was fully aware that an element of “lighter,” more entertainment-oriented pieces was needed to balance our programs. But finding pieces and—even more— arrangements of those pieces worthy of the vocal and musical abilities of the extra- ordinary students in the choir was virtually impossible. So I decided to write my own arrangements for the choir.

In this timely, insightful, and darkly funny investigation, the acclaimed author of Against Love asks: what does living in dystopic times do to our ability to love each other and the world?