The Magic of Cast Recordings + Top 10 Personal Favorites

       Hello again!! Mike here to dispense some more musings on the beautiful world of musical theater. Readers, we often have many cherished memories of the magical feats we have seen on stage. Often times, we have retain memorabilia from our experiences on stage, whether it be a program, ticket stub, t-shirt, souvenir booklet, or otherwise. However, it is my opinion that nothing quite comes close to memorable keepsakes quite like a good cast recording. Barring the rare circumstance that a show is recorded for DVD distribution, the closest piece of memorabilia that captures the performance we witnessed, or wished we had witnessed, is a cast recording. It is this cast recording that preserves the show for audiences that have seen it, as well as for others that have may have missed out on the show or are currently unable to see it. I have so many cast albums, some from Broadway, some Off Broadway, some direct from the studio whether it be a concept recording or celebrating previously performed works. Here is a Top 10 of those I've listened to and own.

1. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Studio Cast Recording)

Whether one is a fan of the 1996 Disney animated film or just a beautiful cast recording in general, this album is a must have. Having had the pleasure of seeing the stage production staged at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, I can attest that this album is the perfect representation of what I witnessed on the Paper Mill stage, combining Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz's reverent score with the narration of the show that made this show so spectacular. The leads are sensational, whether it be Michael Arden's heartbreaking title character, Patrick Page's villainous Claude Frollo, Andrew Samonsky's dashing Phoebus, Ciara Renee's enchanting Esmeralda, Erik Liberman's comic Clopin, and an ensemble that exudes excellence.

2) The Phantom of the Opera (25th Anniversary Royal Albert Hall Recording)

In order to celebrate one of the most successful musicals in the world, Andrew Lloyd Webber & Cameron Mackintosh assembled an incredible cast to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show's world premiere in London. Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess are simply astounding in their takes of the tragic title role and the ingenue Christine Daae, respectively. The album does not require the DVD (though one was released as well) as the entire show, as well as a star studded Grand Finale, is recorded on disc. This is a recording that has been, and continue to, enchant Phans throughout time.

3) Frankenstein - A New Musical (World Premiere Cast Recording)

This is, admittedly, an obscure choice. A short-lived Off Broadway musical, this subsequent cast recording is for the fan of the underdog. This recording really is a testament to the fan, in taking something that established, but loyal, fan base in that it perfectly captures the cast. What perhaps has contributed to the creation of such a recording is the sensational cast. Hunter Foster is astounding as the title role, with the vocal powerhouse that is Christiane Noll as Elizabeth, Steve Blanchard as the sinister Creature, Mandy Bruno as the innocent Justine, Richard White as  the patriarchal Alphonse, Jim Stanek as the reverent Henry, Struan Erlenborn as young, but curious, William, Becky Barta as the inspirational Mother, and an extraordinary ensemble of Aaron Serotsky, Nick Cartell, Casey Erin Clark, Leslie Henstock, and Patrick Mellon . For those that are fans of Frank Wildhorn and dark musicals, definite check out this album on iTunes.

4) Assassins (The Broadway Cast Recording)

The 1st cast album to make the list from a show I unfortunately I did not have the pleasure to see. Perhaps one of Stephen Sondheim's lesser favorable works, this cast album is not just a treasure due to content, but also cast. Tony winner Michael Cerveris showcase a genuinely slimy John Wilkes Booth. James Barbour makes a convincing case for being able to convey a role by being a master storyteller through song as the chilling Czolgosz. Neil Patrick Harris' & Denis O'Hare's Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald & Charles Guiteau, respectively, are the devilishly charming types television audiences come now to recognize from turns on How I Met Your Mother (Harris) and True Blood (O'Hare). Marc Kudisch as the perfect introduction to Sondheim's superb score as the Proprietor. Mix in the phenomenal Becky Ann Baker, remarkable Mario Cantone, youthfully exuberant Alexander Gemignani, and charismatic Mary Catherine Garrison, and you have one talented cast to perform an under-appreciated Sondheim masterpiece.

5) School of Rock The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

The latest from Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber probably ranks among his best in terms of a rock score. Alex Brightman takes a role many associate with Jack Black, who originated the mischievous Dewey Finn in the 2003 film, and completely makes the role his own in brilliant fashion. Sierra Boggess continues to make her case as the lead interpreter of Lloyd Webber's work. Special mention to the kids of School of Rock, most making their Broadway debut. These kids display the poise of Broadway veterans, while also accompanying themselves with an amazing skill set of musicianship. It should also be pointed out that the album is produced by Lloyd Webber and Rob Cavallo, a veteran rock music producer, thus giving this extraordinary album the rock edge it so desperately needs.

6) How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2011 Broadway Cast Recording)

Okay, readers, I have a confession to make. I am not a huge fan of star casting.  for those not familiar with the term, star casting is when the producers of a show decide to put an A-,B-,or C-lister in a role of their Broadway show. This is a very hit or miss move. That said, Daniel Radcliffe's taker on J Pierrepont Finch is perhaps one of the biggest hits in the history of star casting, exemplified beautifully on this album. The rest of the cast, led by John Larroquette, Rose Hemingway, Christopher J Hanke,  Rob Bartlett, Tammy Blanchard, Michael Park, plus an excellent ensemble make this recording of How to Succeed... the ultimate one for any fan of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical comedy.

7) Man of La Mancha (2002 Broadway Revival Cast)

Another show that I had wished I had seen on Broadway because of incredible performance, evident by this cast album. Brian Stokes Mitchell's Cervantes/Don Quixote defines this cast album. Mr. Stokes Mitchell takes the frequently interpreted "Impossible Dream" and inspires the listener to dream along. His "Dulcinea" has the power to make both man and woman simply melt. Fans of the Broadway leading man should definitely grab this cast album to get the pleasure of enjoying perhaps Brian Stokes Mitchell's greatest performance yet.

8) Bonnie & Clyde (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

It is my firm belief that some time from now, someone will stumble across the cast album of Bonnie & Clyde and, after researching the show's history, be shocked the show had such a brief run on the Great White Way. Frank Wildhorn would be Tony nominated for his rockabilly score with leads Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes in roles just before skyrocketing to stardom. In fact the Broadway run of Bonnie & Clyde would be so brief, the two would go on to star in new shows and both become Tony nominated, Osnes for her work in Bonnie & Clyde and Jordan for his work in his next show, Disney's Newsies. Following the 2011-12 season, the two would go to great success. Listening to this album is the ultimate example of the greatness that these two achieve.The Bonnie & Clyde Original Broadway Cast Recording succeeds in taking a Broadway musical that could easily be forgotten, and perfectly preserving a remarkable score with an incredible cast.

9) Sunday in the Park with George (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

Another cast album that makes one wish they had a time machine to travel back to the Booth Theater in 1984. Widely regarded as Stephen Sondheim's best work, and the work that won Sondheim and James Lapine the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this album once again remains a cut above many due to its two leads. Mandy Patinkin's George and Bernadette Peter's Marie/Dot remain as one of the best on-stage couplings in Broadway history, as evident by this album. Combining both dialogue and song excels remarkably well, especially considering the relationship on stage. One could easily argue that this cast album serves as the closest thing to a time machine, as the listener can perhaps envision the performances on the stage of the Booth, if not a DVD of the original Broadway cast, again a rarity for a Broadway show, is in print.

10) In the Heights (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

This is the show that put Lin Manuel Miranda on the map, and rightfully so. This album takes the innovation that won Miranda his first Tony Award for  Best Musical. The album is just sheer brilliance as well, delivering Miranda's clever lyrics as delivered by a stellar cast. The album was also a rarity for me. I entered the show having little knowledge of the show, after having experienced the first act alone, I went to the lobby of the Richard Rodgers and purchased the album. Such was the testament to which I was impressed and, years later, the album still does no disappoint.

    In closing, readers, cast albums create, or recreate, experiences that we may or may not have seen on stage. The cast albums I have mentioned are easily ten albums that have that power for me. Check them out on iTunes and/or Spotify. Feel free to comment below on some cast albums that resonate with you. One general rule of thumb I have is that I do not listen to the cast album of a show currently out that I have not seen, hence why some of you may wonder why a show like Hamilton is not on the list. In fcat, bringing that up gives me a great idea of what my next blog post is going to be. I just may write up on that right now. ;) Until next time, this is Mike signing off, ghost light lighting on.