Questions to ask:

• Is it Broadway?
  • Check the Catalog description, CD container, or NAXOS description for cast information. Some recordings may be London, Los Angeles, or other casts.
• Is it original?
  • Check the Catalog description, CD container, or NAXOS description for cast information. Watch out for "New Broadway Cast Recording" or "Revival", or anything else that might indicate it is not the original cast. For Broadway shows, you can compare credits on the recording to the opening cast list in Internet Broadway Database IBDB or a reference source.

Other considerations: Cast recordings generally contain the songs, overture, and entr'acte, but not the all of dialogue (may have one-or two-line lead-in). CDs of cast recordings usually contain booklets with the lyrics printed inside.

You must use the online catalog to locate CDs in the Music Library. Search One Search by title of musical (without "The" etc. at the beginning), then narrow your search to Music Recording (CDs and LPs) or Audio CD (just CDs).

Some (but not all) original cast recordings come up in a genre or subject search for original cast recordings; however, original cast does not necessarily mean original Broadway cast.

The NAXOS streaming audio database includes musicals. You can browse by Genres--Classical Music--Musicals or search by the title of a musical. You will find full cast recordings and also compilations. If you need the original Broadway cast, make sure that is what you have found. Sometimes you will need to click on the title to view the album to get this information.

Examples of NAXOS album titles that are OBCRs:

• RODGERS, R.: Sound of Music (The) (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (50th Anniversary Edition) (Martin, Mark Hellinger Theatre Orchestra, Dvonch)
• KANDER, J.: Chicago [Musical] (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Verdon, Rivera, Orbach, Martin, McCarty, O'Haughey, Lebowsky)
• SONDHEIM, S.: Into the Woods [Musical] (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (Crosby, Moore, Gemignani)
• HERMAN, J.: Hello, Dolly! [Musical] (Channing, Burns, Brennan, Reilly, Coleman)

Examples of NAXOS album titles that are not OBCRs:

• RODGERS, R.: Sound of Music (The) (New Broadway Cast Recording) (Luker, Siberry, Rafter)
• KANDER, J.: Chicago [Musical] (New London Cast Recording, 1997) (Lemper, Henshall, Planer, Goodman, Valentine)
• KANDER, J.: Chicago [Musical] (Reinking, Neuwirth, Naughton, Fisher)
• SONDHEIM, S.: Into the Woods (Williams, McMartin)
• HERMAN, J.: Hello, Dolly (1994 Broadway Revival Cast) (Stella)

There can sometimes be a delay between the time a production opens and the time the cast recording is released. We try to buy the CDs as soon as they come out. If you can't find the musical you are looking for, ask! If it is available, we will get it for you, and if it isn't out yet, we can make sure you get notified when it comes in.

• Musicals and Musical Theatre
• Music