The Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars CD was released today, featuring some of my favorite actors lending their voice talents. Whenever actors sing (or try to sing), it completely intrigues me and this new album is no exception! It’s obviously not the best singing in the world, but it’s sure fun to listen to.  The CD features 14 spellbinding tunes by composers including Elton John, Billy Joel, Sade, Bob Dylan, and Lennon/McCartney, beautifully sung (well, sometimes) and lushly orchestrated.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit “Music Matters,” the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s music education programs.  Here’s the Unexpected Dreams tracklisting –

• Scarlett Johansson – “Summertime” (George & Ira Gershwin)
• Ewan McGregor – “The Sweetest Gift” (Sade)
• Taraji P. Henson – “In My Daughter’s Eyes” (James T. Slater)
• Jennifer Garner – “My Heart Is So Full of You” (Frank Loesser)
• Jeremy Irons – “To Make You Feel My Love” (Bob Dylan)
• John Stamos – “Goodnight My Angel” (Billy Joel)
• Lucy Lawless – “Little Child” (Eric Vetro/Alan Rich)
• Marissa Jaret Winokur – “The Wish Song” (Eric Vetro/Steven Shore)
• Eric McCormack – “The Greatest Discovery” (Elton John/Bernie Taupin)
• Victor Garber – “No One Is Alone” (Stephen Sondheim)
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “The Nightshift” (Brad Hall)
• Nia Vardalos – “Golden Slumbers” (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
• John C. Reilly – “Lullaby In Ragtime” (Sylvia Fine)
• Teri Hatcher – “Goodnight” (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)

HOW TO WIN A FREE COPY :: To win an Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars CD, simply leave a comment in this entry with a valid email address (not published) by April 26 @ 7PM EST and a winner will be chosen at random.  Good luck!

UPDATE :: Congratulations Hula Girl!  Your CD’s on its way!  Thanks to everyone else who entered.  Next time!  (And there will be a next time…)

Scarlett Johansson, 21, and Alicia Keys, 26, make colorful costars yesterday on the Queens, N.Y., set of The Nanny Diaries. Johansson plays an au pair for a rich family in the film based on the bestselling novel. The Nanny Diaries was authored by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. More pictures in the gallery! 

New York City, NY :: Co-stars Scarlett Johansson, 21, and Chris Evans, 24, filmed scenes for The Nanny Diaries at Columbia University this morning. (Synopsis :: College student Nan (Johansson) goes to work as a nanny for a rich New York family. Ensconced in their home, she has to juggle their dysfunction, her studies, a new romance, and the spoiled brat in her charge)  Scarlett and Chris filmed their make-out scene sitting on a usually-not-functional fountain out on "The Steps" in front of Low Library. Is that not a Columbia University handbook that Scarlett has in her paws?  More pictures in the gallery!

Bwog had this to say, "This ain’t just no two-bit background filming—the production crew of The Nanny Diaries is pulling out the big guns for all us College Walker-stalkers.  Johansson can be seen filming a scene with [Chris Evans] near the west fountain on Low Plaza. The whole production area is roped off, and imposing looking members of the film’s security team are very rudely keeping onlookers from getting too close to the action."  Someone also made a hilarious comment — "Overheard by the filming of the Nanny Diaries: ‘What is this, Spider-Man 8!?!?’ "

SoHo, New York :: Actress Scarlett Johansson, 21, put her silver bull-style nose-ring back into her style repetoire as she ate lunch yesterday afternoon at Blue Ribbon Manahttan Restaurant, located at 97 Sullivan Street (bet. Spring and Prince streets). It was recently announced that Scarlett and singer/actress Alicia Keys will be teaming up for the big screen version of The Nanny Diaries.  Johansson will star as a working-class woman who becomes a nanny to a wealthy New York City family, while Keys will play he part of her best friend.  More pictures in the gallery!