There are several reasons why cast albums don't include the exit music.
Space has a lot to do with it. We have come a long way since the days when songs had to fit onto a 10-inch 78-rpm record (About 3 1/2 minutes) but even so a CD can only hold 80 min of music. It's more important that they get the main score recorded.
It is also financial: For every 15 minutes of time (or portion) on the CD the musicians get paid for a 4 hour session. 60 min of music -- 4 sessions, 80 min of music = 6 sessions. Sometimes the playout music is recorded; Check out Columbia's CITY OF ANGELS as an example.
The series of studio cast "masterworks edition" CD sets produced by John Yap for TER/JAY include all dance music, overture's, entr'actes, utility/scene change music and exit music.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Updated On: 3/31/10 at 11:28 PM