Should You Record a Cast Album Before Production?

In my work with new musicals in development and theatre composers, I often am asked if the musical should have a cast album first, or work towards a staged production. Certainly if you're writing a musical, the staged production is the end-goal, no? A cast album is a tempting idea, especially if you’ve poured your heart into creating a new musical and want to share your songs with the world as soon as possible.

Let's explore reasons for and against recording a cast album before you receive a staged production.

1. What’s the Goal?

Before you rush into the studio, ask yourself: what’s the goal of recording the album right now? If the purpose is to showcase the music to potential producers, investors, or creative teams, a full cast album might not be necessary—yet. Sometimes, all you need is a few well-recorded demos or proof-of-concept tracks to capture the essence of your musical. In these early stages, the focus is on selling the show’s potential, not necessarily delivering a polished final product.

2. Consider Timing and Budget

Recording a cast album is a major financial and logistical commitment. Depending on the size and scope of your project, recording even a modest album can get pricey. You’re paying for studio time, musicians, vocalists, mixing, mastering, and often the album’s distribution and marketing. If your show is still in its developmental stages, where changes to the script or score are frequent, you might end up having to re-record sections or update tracks. Some songs may get cut or new songs added for the staged version; this can cost you more in the long run. It might make more sense to wait until the show is further along, or until you’ve secured funding to cover the production costs.

3. Live Performances First?

There’s also the argument that you should wait until after a live production. Recording after you’ve had the chance to put the show on its feet gives you valuable insights into how the material works in front of an audience. You’ll know which songs resonate, what could be trimmed or revised, and where the cast sounds best in your score. Capturing the essence of a live performance often brings more authenticity to a cast album and ensures that the version you’re putting out into the world is the best possible representation of the show.

4. The Cast Matters

A cast album is a time capsule of your production—it’s meant to capture the best performances of your lead actors and ensemble. If your show hasn’t been cast yet, or you’re unsure if you’ll use the current cast for the long term, it might be worth holding off. Having the final, long-term cast on the album can make a big difference, both in terms of their connection to the material and their vocal and emotional performances.

5. Building Hype

Of course, releasing a cast album can also be a great marketing tool. A well-produced album generates excitement, attracts fans, and can even bring in future ticket sales. You have a much further reach with a cast album since you have the potential for the entire globe to hear your music, whereas a live production is limited to the geographical location. But you want that buzz to build when your show is at the right point—ideally when there’s a production on the horizon, or just after it’s wrapped a successful run. If there’s no clear timeline for the production or if the show’s development is ongoing, the album might come too early to have the desired impact.

In short, recording a cast album first is an enticing idea. It has its advantages in the potential reach and attention on your show, but can be costly especially when you're still ironing out the songs and details. Focus on the show's development first, let it breathe through live performances, and don’t rush the process. When the time is right—when the cast is locked, the material is solid, and the timing makes sense—then recording a cast album can be a powerful tool to preserve and promote your work.