IF the cast are performing a Sunday matinee the day of the Tonys you will likely get the full cast and an extra buzz about the performance.
The Tony dress rehearsal is Sunday afternoon BUT casts that are doing matinees that day can come and do their number in the morning. They record the audio and run it (for timing reasons) with various fill in people trying to mimic the performance. (I saw the dress in 1990 - it was a hoot watching a few clutzy stage managers trying t do the taps for "Banjos" in the MEET ME IN ST LOUIS routine - they had a Sun matinee. Fortunately the casts of both GRAND HOTEL and CITY OF ANGELS were there live for the dress.)
Even more exciting is to catch the winning show the night after the awards. I had lucked out getting comps to TITANIC lined up for the Monday night after the '97 Tonys. I also caught the Best Play that year, LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO at the Sunday matinee and again all the cast were there giving their all.
No matter what, the whole week before/week after the Tonys is always an exciting time to be in NYC.
I can't be there this year - have a family wedding on Saturday the 10th, but I'll be home watching CBS (and taping it - you can be sure of that.)
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