The cast album \u2014 a recording of the songs from a show sung by the onstage cast \u2014 originated in the 1930s, usually featuring a handful of the piece\u2019s greatest hits. More complete recordings of theatre scores emerged in the 1940s, and the original Broadway cast recording of Oklahoma! sold over a million copies. In the 1950s and 1960s, many cast recordings reached the top of the charts.<\/p>\n
Today, cast recordings immortalize great performances and make show tunes accessible to fans wherever they live. Streaming has made it easier than ever to carry Broadway with you everywhere, and even to hear select songs from a show before it’s even played its first performance. Read on to learn more about the cast recordings of current and upcoming Broadway shows you can listen to right now. Just don\u2019t call them soundtracks \u2014 those are for movies!<\/p>\n