While there are multiple phases to the recording of a cast album, from preparation to final product, the whole process can last a few months. Unlike any other genre in the music world, the actual recording of a cast album — particularly Broadway ones — takes place over just a few days.
In the second part of our series, these four artists, each occupying a crucial role in recording, will narrate the process:
Janet Weber, recording production manager: As a recording production manager, Weber is in charge of creating a budget for the album, setting and overseeing the recording schedule, tracking payment for all talent and more. Weber is essentially the head of logistics.
Scott M. Riesett, record producer: Riesett is a freelance record producer who has been producing music for 30 years — cast albums for 15 of those. His first cast album as a producer was Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman’s “Catch Me If You Can.”
Tom Kitt, composer, orchestrator, record producer: A Tony Award-winning composer and orchestrator, Kitt has served as an arranger, orchestrator, music director, conductor, music supervisor, composer and lyricist across 17 Broadway shows to date. He has also produced the cast albums for shows featuring his music as well as musicals for which he has orchestrated or arranged.
Scott Farthing, executive vice president of Sony Masterworks U.S.: Farthing supervises the Masterworks Broadway record label as well as the day-to-day operations for the national Sony Masterworks division.
Editor’s note: Every album is singular. Every label and operation works in its own way. The following is meant to serve as a broad example of the ways in which a cast album comes together.
