Broadway Vocal Selections books - a thing of the past?

[Dan6]

Posted: 9/4/24 at 2:38pm

Like bryan32 who cherishes his Broadway CD collection, I've amassed over the years a large collection of vocal selections and vocal scores, and one of my favorite pastimes is sitting at my piano (alone or with friends who share my musical theater passion) and playing and singing through show after show. But while Hal Leonard or others used to come out with vocal selections for just about every musical that ran more than a week, it doesn't seem to be happening anymore. The most recent release I'm aware of was Some Like it Hot; nothing for Kimberly Akimbo, The Outsiders, Suffs, Shucked, The Notebook, Illinoise, Water for Elephants, or even Stereophonic. Although some individual songs have sheet music available for purchase online, they're often someone else's transcriptions, and usually three of those downloads run what an entire vocal selections book would cost.

Kimberly Akimbo particularly puzzles me, as (1) it's a Best Musical and Best Original Score winner; (2) it's now almost 3 years since its off-Broadway run and almost 2 years since it opened on Broadway; (3) Jeanine Tesori released vocal selections for Millie, Violet, Caroline, Shrek, and Fun Home; and (4) according to Theatre Circle when I visited recently, it's their single most requested item. Does anyone else miss these books? Are they just another casualty of the digital age? 

Updated On: 9/4/24 at 02:38 PM

[Blindbutlerdeafmaid]

Posted: 9/4/24 at 4:59pm

As a child of vocal selections (and cast albums), I both miss them and (without trying to sound pessimistic) wonder how we pass down our art form without them. 

With pages falling out of my still-within-arm's-reach 272-page Closer Than Ever score, I would absolutely be over the moon for a FULL Kimberly Akimbo Vocal Score -- and would be just as enthusiastic for a Vocal Selections. 

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 9/4/24 at 6:42pm

In regards to Vocal Selections, specifically Kimberly Akimbo ​​, I'm sure it will come out -- two years since its Broadway debut notwithstanding, it takes awhile for the final, condensed and arranged sheets to be compiled -- and approved by the composer and lyricist. 

I'm disheartened that the emphasis on full scores has waned (at least in terms of official releases) but think that's due to the healthy and profitable market of production rights, that has come about in the 90s. If any school or small group could get the full score at their local music store, few would go the legal route and procure the rights (and resources) from the official licenser. 

[LillianGregory]

Posted: 9/5/24 at 10:07am

I also enjoy playing through the vocal selections, and it frustrates me that they are becoming harder to find. Everything seems to be going digital, but there's something special about having physical books close at hand. Speaking of going online, I've also started to rely more on digital tools for various writing tasks https://edubirdie.com/edit-my-paper like this site I found to have someone help me edit my work. It became a salvation. But yes, I miss those collections too. Hope they come back soon!

Updated On: 9/16/24 at 10:07 AM