Basic Library of Cast albums- Page 3

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/12/08 at 2:56pm

By popular request, here are 10 more from the years 2000-2008
(Some of these are still running):

AVENUE Q (Original cast on RCA Victor)

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (original cast on Ghostlight)

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (original cast on Ghostlight)

GREY GARDENS (original cast on PS Classics - you really need both versions to hear the entire score)

HAIRSPRAY (original cast on Sony)

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (original cast on Nonesuch - also apply to collectors for DVD copies of the PBS broadcast which cannot be commercially released)

THE PRODUCERS (original cast on Sony)

SPAMALOT (original cast on Decca)

SPRING AWAKENING (original cast on Decca)

WICKED (original cast on Decca)

[austengirl]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 1:15pm

Thanks for the list frontrowcentre2! I bookmarked it on my computer.

I think I will start looking for some of these great shows on Netflix. I hope some of them have been put on dvd.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 2:21pm

I think this list is fairly representational. Any list is going to cause split hairs, but then it is your list and no one else's.

I, of course, would add a section for guilty pleasures: shows that you know aren't any good, but you like listening to them anyway, taste be damned. Flora, the Red Menace, Ballroom, Ben Franklin in Paris; there's three.

I have a friend who listens to Coco because he likes it! "To each his own", said the lady as she kissed the cow's ---.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 6:52pm

Guilty pleaures are individual. The "Basic Library" is a core library for a good overview of the genre.

I have a lot of Guilty Pleasures..HAPPY HUNTING, SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING, THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD, DEAR WORLD... all quite enjoyable. But hardly essential.

[dg22894]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 8:49pm

This Is a great list do you like have a radio show

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 10:02pm

Yes I do. and have had on and off for many years now. Currently on Saturday mornings 8-9am and Sunday mornings 9-10 am. Go to www.proudfm.com to listen

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 3:45am

I guess now that another decade has passed (,ore or less) I should update the list and maybe revisit some former choices.

Remember - These are just my suggestions for a core library; a guideline based on my own listening experience. Not an absolute by any means!


1900 - 1920s :
BABES IN TOYLAND (studio cast on Decca) _STILL The only version available

MERRY WIDOW (studio cast on DRG) - I actually prefer the NYCO CD with Beverly Sills but it is very hard to find.

LADY BE GOOD (Studio cast on Nonesuch)- Still a delight!

THE STUDENT PRINCE (studio cast on DRG)- Still the preferred version

NO NO NANETTE (1971 Broadway revival on Sony) - Unbeatable!

OH, KAY! (studio cast on Nonesuch) -

THE DESERT SONG (studio cast on Decca) - The old Columbia Lp with Nelson eddy is also worth investigating.

SHOW BOAT (complete recording on 3 CD set from EMI)- Still the best and most complete.

GOOD NEWS (Studio cast on Jay)- Not that there are many alternate choices but this will do.

THE NEW MOON (Concert cast on Ghostlight) - Well worth getting. What a great score!

1930s :
STRIKE UP THE BAND (studio cast on Nonesuch) - It's actually the original 1928 version recorded here but it is all we have of this score.

GIRL CRAZY (Studio cast on Nonesuch) - Still the best, far better that the old Mary Martin disc.

OF THEE I SING (1952 revival cast on DRG) - The concert version from 1986 is more complete but this one plays so much better, thanks to a streamlined score. (A lot of the repetition has been removed, for the better.)

PARDON MY ENGLISH (studio cast on Nonesuch) - Lesser Gershwin but still worth investigating. This is the only recording of this show.

ANYTHING GOES (studio cast on EMI) - This version preserves the original score as heard in 1934. Alternates with interpolations are on Epic (Eileen Rogers) and RCA (Patti Lupone)

PORGY AND BESS (complete on 3 Cd's from RCA)- No other recording ha tapped this 1976 set.

ON YOUR TOES (1983 revival cast on Jay)- The 1954 revival cast on MCA is also good but this is more complete and has better sound.

BABES IN ARMS (studio cast on New World) - some prefer the DRG Encores cast, but I like the orchestral playing on this disc better. Mary Martin's disc is fun but hardly authentic.

BOYS FROM SYRACUSE (Concert cast on DRG) - A delight from start to finish. DRG also reissued Capitol's off-Broadway cast album from 1963 (recommended) and Sony has the old Jack Cassidy studio version (Not so good.)

TOO MANY GIRLS (studio cast on Painted Smiles) - It's a little hard to find but worth checking out.

1940s:

PAL JOEY (studio cast on Sony)- Also worth checking out is the Encores cast with Lupone and Gallagher.

LADY IN THE DARK (London cast on Jay)- This is the most complete and most theatrical album. Gertrude Lawrence and Danny Kare recorded some 78's of the original and they are out in the Prism label.

OKLAHOMA! (Original Broadway cast on Decca) - The original has a freshness that other recordings lack. The movie soundtrack is well sung. The most complete is the 1998 London cast with Hugh Jackman.

ON THE TOWN (studio cast on Sony) - No other ON TEH TWON touches this one.

CAROUSEL (1993 London cast on RCA) - This is the most complete. The best sung is the movie soundtrack (Gordon MacRae) and the most theatrical is the Lincoln Center cast from 1965 with John Raitt.

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (1966 revival cast on RCA)- Merman in top form here. If you can't handle Ethel in the role try Kim Criswell (EMI) or Judy Kaye (JAY.)

FINIAN'S RAINBOW (1960 revival cast on RCA) - The new revival cast (PS Classics) is more complete and very well performed.

BRIGADOON (studio cast on DRG) - This is still my preferred BRIGADOON. EMI's studio cat with Brent Barrett is also worth checking out.

KISS ME KATE (original Broadway & studio cast on EMI) - both have the same cast and almost the same text. EMI's version was redone in stereo in 1959.

SOUTH PACIFIC (original Broadway cast on Sony)- The sound may be a bit brittle but the incandescent performances of the original cast shine through. For better sound and a more complete reading go to the 2008 revival cast (Masterwoks Broadway)

1950s:
GUYS AND DOLLS (1992 revival cast on RCA)- Jay has a note complete studio cast set, but this one has more sparkle.

THE KING AND I (1977 revival cast on RCA)- Yul Brynner heads a terrific cast here. The film soundtrack is also recommended for the sumptuous orchestrations.

PETER PAN (original Broadway cast on RCA) - Mary Martin owns this role. But Cathy Rigby offers a worthwhile alternate, and in stereo.

THE PAJAMA GAME (original Broadway cast on Sony)- The film soundtrack has Doris Day, and includes more dance music. ON balance it drops the Overture and three songs.

DAMN YANKEES (original Broadway cast on RCA)- The original is still the best, but Mercury's revival cast from 1994 delivers a potted version of the whole show.

MY FAIR LADY (original Broadway cast on Sony)- No subsequent recording comes close to the sheer perfection heard here.

WEST SIDE STORY (original Broadway cast on Sony)- The original is still the best but the movie soundtrack has those beefed up orchestrations and the new revival cast is also worthwhile. Ignore the others.

MUSIC MAN (original Broadway cast on EMI) - Some prefer the Stroman revival but she tried to hard to copy the movie. The actual film soundtrack is marred by horrible sound quality.

GYPSY (original Broadway cast on Sony) - Merman at her very best. After that you can choose from Lansbury, Daly, Peters and Lupone with the latter being my 2nd choice. Ther are also soundtracks of the two film versions but neither makes a good overall listen.

SOUND OF MUSIC (original Broadway cast on Sony) - Everyone on the planet already has the film soundtrack. The original is still one of Columbia's best cast albums.

1960s:
CAMELOT (original Broadway cast on Sony) - No other recording matches the magic and majesty of the original.

BYE BYE BIRDIE (original Broadway cast on Sony) - The film and Tv soundtracks make too many changes, and the London cast is badly sung.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS... (original Broadway cast on RCA) - I have a slight preference for the Matthew Broderick revival cast. Avoid the film soundtrack at all costs.

HELLO DOLLY! (original Broadway cast on RCA) - Channing's remake in 1994 is all but unlistenable. Of the alternate Dollys Mary Martin comes off best on records. Striesand sings it well on the film soundtrack but the rest of the cast is terrible.

FUNNY GIRL (original cast on Angel) - The original cast offer a lively performance. The film soundtrack is almost entirely a showcase for Streisand alone.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (original Broadway cast on RCA) The London cast with Topol is also quite good, adn I find teh 2004 revival cast quite enjoyable.

MAN OF LA MANCHA (original Broadway cast on Decca)- JAY offers the complete show on 2 CD's but the original cast has never been bettered.

MAME (original Broadway cast on Sony)- No other choice here.

CABARET (original Broadway cast on Sony) - The revival cast from 1998 is also excellent, but here you get Jack Gilford's "Meeskite" and Joel Grey as the MC.


HAIR (original Broadway cast on RCA)- The new revival cast has better sound and is more complete.

1970s:
COMPANY (original Broadway cast on Sony) - THe original is still the best but the Raul Esparza revival cast runs a close second.

FOLLIES (1985 concert cast on RCA) - The Papermill playhouse cast recording is also excellent and includes many of the cut songs. Angel's CD of the OCR is essential, but as we all know heavily abridged. Avoid the heavily revised London cast.

GREASE (original Broadway cast on M-g-M) - It's about time we had a new complete recording. The recent revival doesn't cut it for me. (I have never heard the John Barrowman studio cast disc on JAY.)

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (original Broadway cast on Sony) - The original is something special and so well sung. The 1996 Judi Dench version is (has been) my #2 choice but when the new CD comes out next month that may change. Stay tuned...

A CHORUS LINE (original Broadway cast on Sony)- The original cast give the best performance, but actually the 2006 revival is more complete and closer to how the show plays on stage.

CHICAGO (original Broadway cast on Arista) - The original is great, but not as complete as the later discs. I prefer the London cast over the 1996 Broadway cast.

PIPPIN (original Broadway cast on Decca) - Decca's CD makes the case for this as Schwartz's best score, even if the show that contains it is a mess.

ANNIE (original Broadway cast on Sony)- The original cast is unmatchable, but the recent Time Life 2 CD set is very well performed and includes a disc of ANNIE 2 for those curious about that score.

EVITA (original Broadway cast on Decca)- Lupone and Patinkin. No question.

SWEENEY TODD (original Broadway cast on RCA) - The original cast is still the most satisfying listen over the heavily abridged revival cast and the much altered film adaptation.

1980s:
42ND STREET (original Broadway cast on RCA) - The revival cast has better sound (hopefully this original will get remastered as it could potentially blow the revival cast out of the water if done with care) but the 2001 cast album is more complete.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (original Broadway cast on RCA) - Though the authors have revised the show, the origial version plays better on disc.

DREAMGIRLS (Concert cast on Nonesuch)- The reissued cast album restores some material cut from the original LP/CD editions but is still incomplete. I actually find the film soundtrack even more satisfying.

NINE (original Broadway cast on Sony)- The 2 CD set is immaculate. The closest competitor would be the 2003 revival cast.

CATS (original Broadway cast on Geffen) - The single disc of highlights is all you really need unless you are a fan of the show. (Is anybody a fan of this show?)

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (original Broadway cast on RCA)- The PS Classics 2-disc set of the revival is also good but there is something magical about Peters and Patinkin on the original 1984 recording.

LES MISERABLES (complete recording on First Night)- The concert version covers most of the material (and has Colm Wilkinson) on 2 discs, but if you want the whole show this is the set to get.

INTO THE WOODS (original Broadway cast on RCA) - Np contest here. The original is far better than the London cast or the 2002 revival.

GRAND HOTEL (original Broadway cast on RCA)- Though the recording is not as well produced as it could have been, it still does a good job showcasing Maury Yeston's ingenious reworking of the Wright/Forrest material combined with a handful of his own songs. Credit Wally Harper for making it all sound of one piece.

CITY OF ANGELS (original Broadway cast on Columbia) - A lively, jazzy score showing Cy Coleman at his very best. (Two other Coleman scores worth listening to: SWEET CHARITY and ON THE 20th CENTURY.)

1990s:

MISS SAIGON (Complete recording on EMI) - Your choice here depends on whether you want the complete score on this set or a better cast with the original London company.

THE SECRET GARDEN (original Broadway cast on Columbia)- The Australian cast is better but limited to just 8 highlights this becomes the default winner.

CRAZY FOR YOU (original Broadway cast on EMI)- The Broadway cast serves the material better than the London cast - but only slightly.

BLOOD BROTHERS (original London cast on RCA) - There is also a good version with Petula Clark and the Cassidy brothers, but this one really captures the show.

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (original Broadway cast on RCA) - Chita Rivera and Brent Carver give star power to this set. Mercury's edition with Vanessa Williams presents a potted version of the entire show.

PASSION (original Broadway cast on EMI)- Sondheim's most hauntingly beautiful score. The London cast has a little more of the show but the female leads can't match Murphy and Mazzie.

RENT (original Broadway cast on Geffen) - No disc but this one.

TITANIC (original Broadway cast on RCA) - Despite the low levels this is a very enjoyable recording.

STEEL PIER (original Broadway cast on RCA) - Though the show was a critical and commercial flop, this is one of Kander and Ebb's better scores. And the cast album is exceptionally well produced.

RAGTIME (original Broadway cast on RCA) - This 2 CD set of the entire score is topped up with an 8-minute orchestral suite. One of the best scores of the 1990s.

2000:

THE FULL MONTY (original cast on RCA) - The score is uneven but enough gems to make it worthwhile.

THE PRODUCERS (original Broadway cast on Sony) - Musical comedy comes back to Broadway with a roar. You can follow the show just by listening to this sparking OCR.

HAIRSPRAY (original Broadway cast on Sony)- Though teh original cast is quite winning, the film soundtrack actually gioes it one better.

AVENUE Q (original cast on RCA) - A very funny show and a cast album that captures that fun.

WICKED - Still running but this OCR is easily the most successful cast album of the decade.

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (original Broadway cast on Nonesuch) - a rich evocative score by Adam Guettel that gets better with each listen.

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (original Broadway cast on Ghostlight) - a lively, fun score with some tuneful tunes.

GREY GARDENS (original Broadway cast on PS Classics) - This is something special. If you can, get both recordings as neither has everything.

SPRING AWAKENING (original cast on Decca) - I do wish the recording captured the show better, but this was one of the decades most exciting new arrivals.

IN THE HEIGHTS (original cast on Ghostlight) - The 2-disc set may overstay its welcome a bit, but the show heralds a new talent.


Notable off-Broadway productions:

THREEPENNY OPERA(1954 revival on Decca)- ArkivMusik now offers the 1976 revival which has a more literal translation.

THE GOLDEN APPLE (original cast on RCA) - Heavily abridged but it's still the only recording we have of this delectable score.

THE FANTASTICKS (original cast on Decca) - The revival cast on Ghostlight has better sound, but the original has Jerry Orbach!

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN (original cast on Decca) - The revival cast on RCA is actually a better produced album.

GODSPELL (original cast on Arista) - The movie soundtrack has better sound and a wonderful new song, "Beautiful City."

MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS & FALSETTOLAND (original cast on DRG)- Two shows later combined for Falsettos.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (original cast on RCA) - I enjoy this CD so much I have never bothered to seek out the London cast. Anyone know if it is worth getting?

ASSASSINS (original cast on RCA) - The 2004 Broadway revival on PS Classics is also highly recommended.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS (original cast on Sh-k-Boom) - A huge cult has spring up around this show, and it deserves the growing popularity.

URINETOWN (original cast on RCA) - Has no alternates verions. Not that any are needed.

and some notable flops (1950-1999)

A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN (original cast on Sony)- The show may not work on stage but a very fine cast album of a score very much influenced by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

PAINT YOUR WAGON (original cast on RCA) - Many hit songs in the score of this overlooked flop. An ever better collection of highlights is on AN EVENING WITH LERNER AND LOEWE with a cast headed by Jan Peerce, Robert Merrill and Jane Powell.

CANDIDE (original cast on Sony)- So many revival and revisions but the score is best served by the original cast.

GOLDILOCKS (original cast on Sony)- Elaine Stritch in feisty, fine form.

SAIL AWAY - (original London cast on Fynbsworth Alley) -Another showcase for Stritch with a great Noel Coward score.

SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING (Original cast on Fynsworth Alley) - a really bad show with a really good score.

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (original cast on Sony)- Can anyone believe this only lasted 9 performances? Apparently over 10,000 people attended the last performance.

DEAR WORLD (original cast on Sony) and MACK AND MABEL (original cast on MCA) shows Jerry Herman doing what he does best. The later London cast of MACK AND MABEL is also good.

PARADE (original cast on RCA) - The OCR is great but a new 2 CD set from London is much more complete, and slightly revised.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 10:12am

Just a few immediate random thoughts:

CRAZY FOR YOU - I just heard the London version for the first time, and was blown away by the energy and excitement it generates, so I'd give this the edge over the OBC recording. Ruthie Henshall is a knockout with every one of her songs.

Notable flops: a must-have is FLAHOOLEY with some terrific songs with dazzling E.Y.Harburg lyrics, Barbara Cook, and Yma Sumac.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 9:08pm

FLAHOOLEY is certainly well worth investigating and thankfully DRG has reissued it so you don't have to spend a lot of money to hear it.

Not every flop is golden. For every FLAHOOLEY or SAIL AWAY there are a dozen or more o far lesser quality. SEVENTEEN, MAKE A WISH, BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA and ANKLES AWEIGH are few that I don't find particularly appealing, but I bet there are some collectors out there who love every note.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:05pm

I'd say Little Shop of Horrors for Off-Broadway. It ran for more than 2,000 performances and is a very well known show

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 12:00am

Another "flop" worth having is HIGH SPIRITS (if you can find it!) - from the minute the overture starts, you know you are in for a great old-fashioned (in the best sense) musical comedy.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 12:52am

I would definitely quibble over anyone who suggests the revival of ACL. It's got a tinny sound, and NONE of the voices even compare to the original. Sure, the full montage is there, but give me better sound, better performances, better energy and sheer awesome any day.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 3:47am

My CD of the 2006 ACL plays fine. Not tinny at all. but yes teh cast in 1975 is better, and authentic.

Agree about HIGH SPIRITS. In fact, I recently got the CD of the 1954 movie ATHENA and discovered "Faster Than Sound" was written for Vic Damone to sing in that film, but cut from the final release. Yet it sounds as if crafted for HIGH SPIRITS. If Decca won't do an actual reissue, maybe they could make it available as a download? (Also WHOOP-UP.)

And yes, LSOH is deserving of a place on the list too.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 10:48am

Consider yourself lucky, frc. Almost all of the recent Sony shows have a weird hollow, tinny, distant sound to me.

[newintown]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 1:17pm

This is a very fun list to read. I think that quiblbing over inclusions/exclusions has its place, but I'm more interested in another question.

You include revival recordings often when there is a recording of the original production - such as Guys & Dolls or The King & I. True, revival recordings often include better technology and more material, but they often also feature more modern orchestrations and performance styles than the original. Guys & Dolls, in particular, in revival sounds little like the original score.

Similarly, when you put a show like No No Nanette in 1900-1920, it's only marginally correct. Yes, that's when the show premiered, but the recording you recommend is only loosely based on that score - it contains more songs than the original show, and is orchestrated in a very 70's style Broadway sound (and sung in a way that would have been unthinkable in the 20s).

Under "Off Broadway," you list Urinetown, as well as others shows that began Off Broadway but transferred. My recollection was that Urinetown was a rather different show Off Broadway, and the recording reflects a truly Broadway animal. If you're going to list anything that started Off Broadway as "Off Broadway," you would want to move Man of La Mancha, Grease, A Chorus Line, Avenue Q, Grey Gardens, and Hair as well.

[newintown]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 1:23pm

Also to add to Off Broadway:
Rent
Sunday in the Park with George
Spring Awakening
In the Heights

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:17pm

Would you really say that Sunday was an off-Broadway show? It had a developmental workshop there, yes, but was it really an Off-Broadway show?

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:28pm

I was pleased that you included GOLDILOCKS and SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING as notable flops. They are two of my often played albums.

As for guilty pleasures, I would add I HAD A BALL(brassy as hell) and OH CAPTAIN(with a sprightly Tony Randall)

[Marquise]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:30pm

thanks for the great list frontrowcentre2. i will definitely use it as a guide.

[newintown]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:40pm

Sunday was developed at Playwrights, but moved to Broadway with the same cast, designers, and much the same show (by the time it closed).

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 4:10pm

^ Right. Developed. To me starting Off and moving on means that a Broadway run, while possible was determined based off it's success. Sunday seemed like it was always aimed for it.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 11:14pm

Interesting points of discussion...

You include revival recordings often when there is a recording of the original production - such as Guys & Dolls or The King & I. True, revival recordings often include better technology and more material, but they often also feature more modern orchestrations and performance styles than the original. Guys & Dolls, in particular, in revival sounds little like the original score.

The orchestrations KING AND I (1977) are the originals by R.R.Bennett. With Yul Brynner leading the way it sounds fairly authentic to my ears. The 1996 revival is another matter.

For GUYS AND DOLLS Michael Starobin updated the originals by Ted Royal and George Bassman, making it (to my ears at least) sound more of the period. Also the sound quality is far better than the old Decca recordings and the singers are at least as good if not better. SO overall I find it a more satisfying recording of the score.

Similarly, when you put a show like No No Nanette in 1900-1920, it's only marginally correct. Yes, that's when the show premiered, but the recording you recommend is only loosely based on that score - it contains more songs than the original show, and is orchestrated in a very 70's style Broadway sound (and sung in a way that would have been unthinkable in the 20s).

Actually the orchestrations for NANNETTE 1971 are more out of Hollywood in the 30/40s (as per the book The Making of No NO Nannette.) They are not what I would call 1970's style. The score remains fairly faithful to the song line-up from 1925 adding "I've Confessed to the Breeze" from the London production and "Waiting For You" (not sure where this song originated) and creating a new Act II Finaletto that is much more fun as it weaves together snatches of various tunes. There are a few studio cast recordings (made in London) from the 1960s but these are not out on CD, and both are heavily re-orchestrated. I heard the original version from a John McGlinn concert at Carnegie Hall in the 1980s, and it would be great if we had a modern recording of that edition, but without it NANETTE 1971 will have to suffice and it I find it one of the most enjoyable cast albums of all time.

Under "Off Broadway," you list Urinetown, as well as others shows that began Off Broadway but transferred. My recollection was that Urinetown was a rather different show Off Broadway, and the recording reflects a truly Broadway animal. If you're going to list anything that started Off Broadway as "Off Broadway," you would want to move Man of La Mancha, Grease, A Chorus Line, Avenue Q, Grey Gardens, and Hair as well.

URINETOWN had the same song line-up, and almost the same cast (Megan Lawrence was replaced by Jennifer Cody for the Broadway opening.) The changes more likely were between the Fringe Festival and the off-Broadway opening. You are correct that most of the shows you list could be placed on the Broadway list as well, but at least they got listed.

Trying to limit 10 selections to each decade meant that some marginal shows were placed under off-Broadway. However, MAN OF LA MANCHA may have opened downtown but was classed as a Broadway production from the start. GREASE also opened off-Broadway (at the Eden Theatre) but according to The Best Plays it operated on first-class Broadway contracts and was classified as a Broadway entry. (It was also nominated for a Tony Award, so the Tony committee deemed it a Broadway production as well.)

CHORUS LINE started off-Broadway but spent 15 years as a Broadway institution. HAIR was revised for its Broadway run and it is the Broadway cast version I list (although the reissue pairs it with the off-Broadway cast recording.) AVENUE Q should probably be listed as an off-Broadway show, especially now that it is playing Off-Broadway.

You raise some good points about the classifications: Maybe if a show ended up on Broadway it should be listed under the Broadway shows even if it means dropping another title from that decade.

Updated On: 3/25/10 at 11:14 PM

[bryan]

Posted: 3/26/10 at 12:30am

i have alot of cd like over 1000 but i am still waiting for inner city , ain't supposed to die a natural death, donnybrook, i can't cope don't bother me, doonesbury,and your arms are too short to box with god. and cry baby.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 11:36am

Just found this list of RIAA certified cast albums.....

PLATINUM (multiples in parenthesis)

ANNIE – Original cast (Columbia)
- Movie Soundtrack (Columbia)

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Movie soundtrack (Disney) 3X

CAMELOT – Movie soundtrack (Warner Brothers)

CAROUSEL – Movie soundtrack (Capitol)

CATS - Broadway cast (Geffen)

CHICAGO – Movie soundtrack (Epic)

A CHORUS LINE – original cast (Columbia) (2X)

DREAMGIRLS – Movie soundtrack (Columbia)

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF – original cast (RCA Victor) 2X
– Movie soundtrack (United Artists) 2X

FUNNY GIRL – Movie soundtrack (Columbia)

GODSPELL – original cast (Bell)

GREASE – Movie soundtrack (RSO) 8X

HAIRSPRAY – Movie soundtrack (New Line)

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR – Movie soundtrack (MCA)

THE KING AND I – Movie soundtrack (Capitol)

THE LION KING – original cast (Disney)
- Movie soundtrack (Disney) 10X

MAMMA MIA - London cast (Decca)

LES MISERABLES – London cast (First Night)
LES MISERABLES – Broadway cast (Geffen) 4X

MARY POPPINS – Movie soundtrack (Disney) 2X

MISS SAIGON – original London cast (Geffen)

THE MUSIC MAN - original cast (Capitol)

MY FAIR LADY - Original cast (mono) (Columbia) –3X
- London cast (stereo)
- Movie Soundtrack (Columbia)

OKLAHOMA! – Movie soundtrack (Capitol) 2X
(Decca’s OCR is listed as a million seller but not certified by RIAA)

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - London cast (Polydor) – 4X
- Highlights from London cast (Polydor) – 4X

RENT – original cast (Geffen) 2X

WEST SIDE STORY – original cast (Columbia)
- Movie soundtrack (Columbia) 3X

WICKED – original cast (Decca)

GOLD

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – original cast (Disney)

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES - original cast (RCA Red Seal)

CAMELOT - original cast (Columbia)

CHICAGO – 1996 Revival cast (RCA Victor)

DREAMGIRLS – original cast (Geffen)

FLOWER DRUM SONG – original cast (Columbia)

FUNNY GIRL– original cast (Capitol)

FUNNY LADY soundtrack (Arista)

GIGI – Movie soundtrack (M-g-M)

GODSPELL – original cast (Bell)
- Movie soundtrack (Bell)

HAIR – Broadway cast (RCA Victor)
- Movie soundtrack (RCA)

HELLO DOLLY! – original cast (RCA Victor)

JERSEY BOYS – original cast (Rhino)

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR -original album (Decca)

JOSEPH/DREAMCOAT -Canadian cast/Donny Osmond (Polydor)

THE KING AND I – Movie soundtrack (Capitol)
(Decca’s OCR is also listed as a million-seller but not certified by RIAA)

MAME – original cast (Columbia)

MAN OF LA MANCHA – original cast (Kapp)

LES MISERABLES – Complete Symphonic Recording (First Night)
- Highlights from CSR (First Night)
- 10th anniversary concert cast (First Night)

MISS SAIGON –London cast (Geffen)

THE MUSIC MAN – Movie soundtrack (Warner Bros)

OLIVER! – Broadway cast (RCA Victor)
- Movie soundtrack (Colgems)

PAINT YOUR WAGON – Movie soundtrack (Paramount)

PORGY AND BESS – Movie soundtrack (Columbia)

ROCKY HOROR PICTUER SHOW – Movie soundtrack (Columbia)

THE SOUND OF MUSIC – original cast (Columbia)
- Movie soundtrack (RCA Victor)
(Given that the soundtrack album is one of the best-selling albums of all time it seems strange that it is not listed as multi-Platinum.)


SOUTH PACIFIC – original cast (Columbia)

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE – Movie soundtrack (Decca)

TOMMY –Movie soundtrack (Polydor)

THE WIZ – original cast (Atlantic)
- Movie soundtrack (MCA)

THE WIZARD OF OZ – Movie soundtrack (M-g-M)


**Phono-graph publications lists Decca’s OCR’s of OKLAHOMA! and THE KING AND I as million sellers, but apparently Decca has never applied to RIAA to have these certified. The same applies to M-g-M’s off-Broadway cast album of the 1954 version of THREEPENNY OPERA.

[philly03]

Posted: 6/16/10 at 12:46pm

It baffles me why you left out "The Phantom of the Opera".... it is the best selling cast recording of all time, whether you like it artistically or not. (This may have been left off your list because it's still running).

Even if I wasn't a mega-fan, I have to ask why Frank Wildhorn was left off the list! The first & most recent Broadway composer to have 3 shows running simultaneously, yielded pop singles from his recordings. I also just don't find the recording of Titanic all that enjoyable. I'll have to give The Life another listen...