What are the essential records that should form the heart of any collection of musical theatre? Where do the best recordings fit in the history and development of the musical? Are original recordings of hit shows of the 1950s and 1960s preferable to modern re-creations? How do film soundtrack and original cast recordings compare to other commercial issues? If a collection has basic representative records from one area of the musical theatre, what are the best additional albums to supplement and enrich that area of music? In this guide Ganzl answers these questions and gives his opinions as to the essential basic discs for any collection of musicals. He assesses the merits of highlights and full-score recordings and compares most available or historic recordings of the repertory core. The book also provides information on the recorded history of musical theatre.