BWW Tonys Special: Ultimate Guide to This Season's Cast Recordings

It's that time of year, and I can't help but wonder if your CD collection and iPod are Tonys ready. It's just a handful of hours until the 69th annual Tony Awards, and New York City and theatre fans across the world are excitedly buzzing about this year's ceremonies which will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 8/7c on CBS. This Broadway season has some exciting contenders in the musical categories, and to get you ready for the big night, I'm recapping the albums you should be listening to (or at least pre-ordering).

The Original Musicals:

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS - With a score that is practically made up of George and Ira Gershwin's greatest hits, this is one show that is sure to please fans of old-school Broadway. In my frank opinion, the dance heavy show's strongest asset is Christopher Wheeldon's gorgeous choreography, which seems like a shoe-in for winning the Tony for Best Choreography. In addition to having a ton of buzz surrounding it, this fan favorite has earned a total of 12 Tony nominations, which include nods for Best Musical and Best Orchestrations. Listen to the lush sounds of the 1940s while hearing Robert Fairchild (nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Leanne Cope (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical), Brandon Uranowitz (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical), and Max von Essen (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical) sing tried-and-true favorites. Sony's Masterworks Broadway released the original Broadway cast album digitally on May 29, 2015 and physically on June 2, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere music is sold. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is currently running on Broadway at The Palace Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.anamericaninparisbroadway.com.

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - Completely snubbed by the Tony nominators, this musical adaption of Boris Pasternak's novel by the same title is a show I'm glad I saw. Twice. Lucy Simon's epic score is highly reminiscent of LES MISERABLES and CHESS, which is probably one of the reasons why it didn't fare so well on Broadway. Having seen the production, I truly expected nods for at least Paul Nolan, Kelli Barrett, and the musical's striking orchestrations. Despite this, I was treated to parts of this thrilling score live just a few weeks ago when I got to stand in the Grand Ballroom at Manhattan Center Studios for a few minutes and hear the cast and orchestra record the upcoming cast album. With a release date of July 30, 2015, this is one album I can't wait to own. Be sure to pre-order it from Broadway Records at http://www.broadwayrecords.com/cds/doctorzhivago.

FINDING NEVERLAND - Even though this musical was overlooked by the Tony nominators, FINDING NEVERLAND is proving to be one of the hottest tickets on the Great White Way. Like the film of the same title, this show tells the story of how J.M. Barrie created Peter Pan. The music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy are an eye opening experience for most theatergoers, as the score for this show sounds more like British pop radio than what we're used to hearing. With a ton of charisma and energy, this cast sings these songs with a lot of heart. You'll see what I mean when they perform the Act I finale "Stronger" during the Tonys on Sunday night. Having heard them on stage, I'm interested in hearing them preserved on disc. On June 9, 2015, Republic Records will release a star-studded pop concept album, which can be pre-ordered from iTunes and Amazon. FINDING NEVERLAND (Original Broadway Cast Album) is expected be released on June 23, 2015. FINDING NEVERLAND is currently running on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit http://findingneverlandthemusical.com.

FUN HOME - This is the musical I'll be cheering for the loudest this Sunday. When it comes to advancing the art form, there simply is no better show than FUN HOME. This brilliant and 12-time Tony nominated musical features novel orchestrations that drive the experimental-but still recognizably Broadway-score to grand heights. Based on the graphic novel memoir by the same title by lesbian cartoonist Alison Bechdel, this show is moving, uplifting, and empowering. FUN HOME blows audiences away in the best of possible ways. If you already own the Off-Broadway cast recording, you must buy P.S. Classics' original Broadway cast for one reason alone: Emily Skeggs. The updated orchestrations are great too, but her portrayal of Medium Alison is simply phenomenal. P.S. Classics' released FUN HOME (A New Broadway Musical) on May 19, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere music is sold. FUN HOME is currently running on Broadway at the Circle in the Square. For tickets and more information, please visit http://funhomebroadway.com.

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME - This jukebox musical, featuring music and lyrics by legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, closed on July 20, 2014. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see it. Running for 17 previews and only 38 performances, the musical is not one that Tony nominators remembered. Likewise, there was no move to preserve the score by creating a cast album. Currently, the future doesn't seem too bright for the show. There don't seem to be any plans to remount the musical in any capacity. Is this the last we've seen of HOLLER? Only time will tell.

HONEYMOON IN VEGAS - If this season has taught us anything, it's that the power of reviews has completely changed. Despite fairly negative reviews, FINDING NEVERLAND shows no signs of stopping. Conversely, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS' positive reviews couldn't buoy this charming and fun show through the summer. Jason Robert Brown's vibrant and bouncy score made toes tap with its old-school Broadway feel. His lyrics were clever and playful. Taking the show in one evening at the Nederlander, I was certain that at least Jason Robert Brown would pick up a nod for Best Score. This is just another example of a closed show being forgotten by Tony nominators. Luckily for us fans, UMe released the original Broadway cast recording digitally on November 17, 2014 and physically on January 13, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon.

IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU - Like HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, I haven't seen this show or heard any of its music. Unlike HOLLER, it's still running. But, then again, like HOLLER, the show earned zero Tony nominations. Word on the street is that the show is perfectly cute with a charming score. I get the impression that this is the kind of modern musical that relies heavily on the pre-set tropes and stereotypes of Broadway musicals. With direction by David Hyde Pierce and starring Tyne Daly, Harriet Harris, Sierra Boggess, Jenny Steinberg, and David Burtka, this show has commercial appeal written all over it. We'll know more after we see Tyne Daly, Lisa Howard, and Adam Heller perform "Jenny's Blues" on Sunday night. Maybe they'll announce a cast recording soon. In the meantime, you can visit http://www.itshouldabeenyou.com for more information and tickets.

THE LAST SHIP - Sting's fledgling attempt at creating an original Broadway musical just couldn't stay afloat. The book by John Logan and Brian Yorkey played out like sad KINKY BOOTS, making many audiences turn their nose up at the clunker. Even though the book left me unenthused, I walked out of the Neil Simon with a couple of tunes stuck in my head and moved by Rob Mathes gorgeous orchestrations of Sting's original score, both of which are nominated for Tonys this year. I don't predict a win for Sting, but I do feel that Rob Mathes stands a chance of taking home the prize. If we're being honest, the music is the only reason any of us were interested in the production. It's also pretty much all we remember. Universal Music Classics released the enthralling original Broadway cast album both digitally and physically on December 15, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! - This 10-time Tony nominated comedic hit follows in the footsteps of smash hits like THE PRODUCERS and SPAMALOT. In fact, this musical is more-or-less the offspring of those two shows. The score is catchy and the lyrics are sophomoric but witty. While Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick's music and lyrics lack the artistry and sophistication of other nominees, there is no denying that they are catchy as hell. This only bolsters their feel good appeal. Furthermore, Ghostlight Records' cast album perfectly captures the zealous and energetic performances of Brian d'Arcy James (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Christian Borle (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical), and Brad Oscar (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical). As a side note, if I was betting man, I'd put money on Brad Oscar for the win. Ghostlight Records digitally released the original Broadway cast recording on June 2, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes. Physical copies are expected on July 17, 2015, and can be pre-ordered from Ghostlight's online store and Amazon. SOMETHING ROTTEN! is currently running on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit http://rottenbroadway.com.

THE VISIT - This is it folks. This is the last time a new John Kander and Fred Ebb musical will grace the Broadway stage, and Chita Rivera is giving the revered duo a wonderful send off. This quirky and dark musical shows us what happens when a carefully constructed act of revenge is the ultimate romantic sacrifice. As much as I enjoyed seeing this show in performance, I'm not counting on it to win any of the five awards it is nominated for. Regardless, this score is rich with ambience and intrigue. The unusual choices of instrumentation and haunting melodies are ones that will be a joy to hear again and again. Due out on June 25, 2015, be sure to pre-order THE VISIT (Original Broadway Cast Recording) from Broadway Records at http://www.broadwayrecords.com/cds/the-visit. THE VISIT is currently running on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit http://thevisitmusical.com.

The Revivals:

GIGI - She's back, but she doesn't have the best buzz surrounding her. Theatergoers and critics alike have been complaining that this revival of the Frederic Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner classic is too sanitized. Having not seen the show myself, I have to rely on the cast album to draw conclusions about the show. On the album, the effervescent score is just as bubbly as a glass of champagne. The toe-tapping ensemble numbers are filled with cheer and charisma. Despite Vanessa Hudgens playing the titular character, the stars on the recording are Corey Cott and Victoria Clark. With all the pizzazz of an old-school Broadway potboiler, the album piques my interest in seeing the show on stage. DMI Soundtracks released the new Broadway cast recording digitally on May 12, 2015 and will release it physically on June 9, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes and pre-ordered from Amazon and elsewhere music is sold. GIGI is currently running on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit http://gigionbroadway.com.

THE KING AND I - Lincoln Center Theater's revival of THE KING AND I is pretty much universally lauded. It recently extended indefinitely. Sadly, I have yet to see the show, but the cast recording is simply breathtaking. The classic score by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II have been given lush and gorgeous life on the album. On the album each number feels fresh emotionally, and the music is richly evocative. With a total of 9 Tony nominations, this production is sure to be major contender on Sunday night, and its one audiences will be talking about for years to come. Universal Music Classics released the 2015 Broadway cast recording digitally on June 2, 2015 and will release it physically on June 9, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes and pre-ordered from Amazon and elsewhere music is sold. THE KING AND I is currently running on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.lct.org/shows/king-and-i.

ON THE TOWN - Set in 1944, ON THE TOWN takes audiences back to the thrill of New York City in the 1940s. Following the adventures of three happy-go-lucky sailors on a 24-hour shore leave, this happy-go-lucky musical is one that has entertained audiences for generations. Its current revival got stellar reviews, and Joshua Bergasse's choreography is a fierce contender for a Tony award on Sunday. Hearing Leonard Bernstein's compositions brought to life by a large pit orchestra definitely makes this a musical worth celebrating. This is something that P.S. Classics was savvy too when they smartly recorded enough of the score to pack a dual disc release. P.S. Classics released the new Broadway cast recording digitally on March 3, 3015 and physically on March 17, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon. ON THE TOWN is currently running on Broadway at the Lyric Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.onthetownbroadway.com.

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - This glitzy, mad cap comedy musical with music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green has been heralded by audiences and critics alike for finally giving this all but forgotten musical its long overdue triumphs. This sprightly revival is one that I have not had the pleasure to see myself, but the performances by Kristin Chenoweth (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical) on the cast album are just as exquisite as one would expect. It's also a joy to hear Andy Karl (Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical) on the recording. This is definitely a show whose recording makes me feel the need to see the show. With that said, I feel that the odds are stacked against ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. I don't predict that it will take home any awards on Sunday, and it'll still be a popular ticket regardless. P.S. Classics released the new Broadway cast recording both digitally and physically on May 19, 2015. It can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere music is sold. ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY is currently running on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/On-the-Twentieth-Century.aspx.

SIDE SHOW - The 2014 revival of SIDE SHOW got a raw deal all the way around. Glowing reviews from The New York Times and Hollywood Reporter did nothing for ticket sales. Neither did its cult like following. With a beautiful and compelling score, fabulous sets, fantastic costumes, and astounding talent cast in every role, the show that was called the "essential ticket of the fall season" by The New York Times never found its legs. Fortunately for fans of the show, Broadway Records preserved this production with an impressive cast recording. They also recorded a special cabaret that featured songs cut from the new cast album among others. SIDE SHOW may be gone and completely overlooked by the Tony nominators, but it is not forgotten. Broadway Records released the 2014 Broadway cast recording digitally on February 23, 2015 and physically on February 24, 2015. It can be purchased from Broadway Records' online store, iTunes, and Amazon. Broadway Records release of SIDE SHOW: ADDED ATTRACTIONS - Live at 54 Below was released on May 19, 2015. It can be purchased from Broadway Records' online store, iTunes, and Amazon.