Sound Advice
Schedule of New & Upcoming CD, DVD & Book Releases
Updated 2/19/26
This week's update | See previous releases
Receive the weekly recap by email: Sign up on the front page, right below the menu (at the sbottom of the page on mobile).
The King's Critique
(Joy Machine Records - new digital album)
Concept album. Music by Nat Zegree, lyrics by Eric Holmes and Nat Zegree. Performed by Norbert Leo Butz, Marilyn Caserta, Jordan Fisher, Troy Iwata, and Joy Woods. Released 2/6/26.
Love Life
(Capriccio - new on 2 CDs)
Live recording of Opera North of Leeds concert recording of score by Kurt Weill (music), Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics). Book by Lerner. The first "complete" recording. To be broadcast on BBC Radio 3, and subsequently released on CD. James Holmes, conductor. Quirijn de Lang, Stephanie Corley, Justin Hopkins, Themba Mvula, Will Hopkins, Joshua Da Costa, Andrew Randall, Masimba Ushe, Holly Saw, Max Westwell, Tilly Baker, Louie Stow, Felicity Moore, Amber Midgley, and Lottie Gray. Released 11/28/25.
Lubitsch Musicals (The Love Parade / Monte Carlo / The Smiling Lieutenant / One Hour With You)
(The Criterion Collection - 2-disc Blu-ray)
Four pre-Code movie musicals directed by Ernest Lubitsch. 1929 The Love Parade with Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald; 1930 Monte Carlo with Jack Buchanan and Jeanette MacDonald; 1931 The Smiling Lieutenant with Maurice Chevalier, Claudette Colbert, and Miriam Hopkins; 1932 One Hour with You with Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald.
Marilyn Maye: The Magic of Marilyn Maye: Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center
(Blue Engine Records - new digital album)
Selections of Marilyn Maye performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center over the past decade. "Mercer Medley," "Guess Who I Saw Today," "Fifty Percent," "Put on a Happy Face," "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News," "My Romance / Why Did I Choose You / That's All," "Lush Life," "Ellington Medley," "It's Today," "Secret of Life," "Here's to Life." With special guest Ashley Pezzotti. Tedd Firth, music director and piano. Released 1/16/26.
Wicked: One Wonderful Night (Live)
(Universal - digital album)
Soundtrack from televised musical celebration of Wicked movie. Live from the Dolby Theatre. Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode. "Overture / No One Mourns the Wicked," "The Wizard And I," "What Is This Feeling? / Dear Old Shiz," "Popular," "I'm Not That Girl," "Dancing Through Life," "Thank Goodness," "Defying Gravity," "Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again," "For Good" (Live from the Gershwin Theatre). Released 11/7/25.
February 20, 2026
All the World's a Stage
(Joy Machine Records - new digital album)
Keen Company cast recording of musical by Adam Gwon. Eliza Pagelle, Jon-Michael Reese, Matt Rodin, and Elizabeth Stanley. Produced by Neal Avron, Andrea Grody, Gwon, and Michelle Noh. Andrea Grody is music directing and leading the band. Orchestrations by Michael Starobin.
Frank Wildhorn: The Symphonic Suites
(Prestige Classics - new on CD digipak/digital)
Vienna Independent Orchestra. From Dracula, Jekyll & Hyde, Einstein: A Matter of Time, and Antus-Excalibur
.
Julie Benko: Euphonic Gumbo
(Club44 Records - new album)
"Down in New Orleans Medley (Bourbon Street Parade/ Go To The Mardi Gras/ Basin Street Blues)", "Ticklin' Time [Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)/ Tipitina], "The Lakes of Pontchartrain" (with Jason Yeager), "Funky Fête (Iko Iko/ Tootie Ma Is A Big Fine Thing)" (with John Manzari), "Ma Belle Evangeline," "Pretty Baby," "Don't You Come Home, Bill Bailey!" (with Jason Yeager), "St. James Infirmary" (with John Manzari), "J'ai Passe Devant Ta Porte," "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans (Live at Birdland)."
The Magician's Elephant
(Broadway Records - new digital album)
Music and lyrics by Marc Teitler and book/lyrics by Nancy Harris.
February 27, 2026
Next to Normal
(Ghostlight Records - new on 2 CDs)
OLC recording of score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. Caissie Levy, Jamie Parker, Jack Wolfe, and Eleanor Worthington-Cox. "Prelude," "Just Another Day," "Everything Else," "Who's Crazy / My Psychopharmacologist and I," "Perfect For You," "I Miss the Mountains," "It's Gonna Be Good," "He's Not Here," "You Don't Know," "I Am the One," "Superboy and the Invisible Girl," "I'm Alive," "Make Up Your Mind / Catch Me I'm Falling," "I Dreamed a Dance," "There's a World," "I've Been," "Didn't I See This Movie?," "A Light in the Dark," "Entr'acte," "Wish I Was Here," "Song of Forgetting," "Hey #1," "Seconds and Years," "Better Than Before," "Aftershocks," "Hey #2," "You Don't Know," "How Could I Ever Forget?," "It's Gonna Be Good (Reprise)," "Why Stay?/ A Promise," "I'm Alive (Reprise)," "The Break," "Make Up Your Mind / Catch Me I'm Falling (Reprise)," "Maybe (Next to Normal)," "Hey #3 / Perfect for You (Reprise)," "So Anyway," "I Am the One (Reprise)," "Light." Digital version previously released.
Will Larche: Bumps in the Bathroom and other lost shows
(new digital album)
Bumps in the Bathroom (Bumps in the Bathroom) - Evan Kinnane, "Apple Pie" (Bail Out the Musical) - Emily Skinner, Kelly Lomonte, Dechelle Damien, "Mikey" (Bumps in the Bathroom) - Evan Kinnane, "wwwdot" (Lesbian Love Octagon) - Gretchen Wylder, Gwynne Wood, Ring of Keys, "I Knew a Girl" (Lesbian Love Octagon) - Will Shishmanian, "Julian" (Bumps in the Bathroom) - Jared Reinfeldt, Ring of Keys, "Clarity" (Lesbian Love Octagon) - Beth Malone, "Say Goodbye" (Lesbian Love Octagon) - Andrea Prestinario, Felicia Blum, Gretchen Wylder, Kimber Elayne Sprawl, Will Shishmanian, Ring of Keys, "If I were Paul Bunyan" (Bumps in the Bathroom) Ben Jackson Walker. Singles released weekly.
March 3, 2026
How to Succeed in Musical Theatre Without Really Dying: The Actor's Guide to Booking Work and Building a Career That Lasts
(BenBella Books - Paperback Book/Kindle Edition/Audible Audiobook)
By Lindsay Mendez and Ryan Scott Oliver. Foreword by Jonathan Groff. Comprehensive guide, featuring time-tested tools, knowledge bombs, wake-up calls, and timely wisdom for professional actors. 432 pages.
Merrily We Roll Along
(Sony - new Blu-ray)
2025 release of 2023 Broadway revival. Score by Stephen Sondheim; book by George Furth. Directed by Maria Friedman. Cast includes Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, Lindsay Mendez, Krystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clarke, and Reg Rogers. Two hours twenty-five minutes.
March 6, 2026
John Pizzarelli: Dear Mr. Bennett
(new on CD/digital/vinyl)
Tribute to Tony Bennett. "Watch What Happens," "The Best Is Yet to Come," "It Amazes Me," "Firefly," "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Because of You," "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," "Waltz for Debby," "Young and Foolish," "When in Rome," "(I Left My Heart) in San Francisco," "Shakin' the Blues Away." Cover illustrated by Tony Bennett.
March 10, 2026
Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!
(Grand Central Publishing - Hardcover Book/Kindle Edition/Audiobook)
Autobiography by Liza Minnelli, as told to Michael Feinstein, in which she " opens her heart, mind and memories, sharing secrets we never knew." 320 pages.
March 12, 2026
Flying High: Big Band Canaries Who Soared
(new on CD/vinyl)
From the live show. Songs made famous by jazz canaries once they spread their wings - that's Billie Holiday, Anita ODay, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. Champian Fulton, Jane Monheit, Carmen Bradford, Olivia Chindamo, Vanessa Perea, and Gretje Angell. Liner notes by Ricky Ricardi.
March 17, 2026
Songbird in the Light: A Picture Book
(Abrams Books for Young Readers - Hardcover Book/Kindle Edition/Audible Audiobook)
By Billy Porter, with Chris Clarkson. Illustrated by Charly Palmer. About a little boy whose classmates make fun of the way he walks and the way he talks - which makes him feel like a songbird too shy to sing. With the help of his choir teacher, he embraces his talent, realizing that his voice is unique and distinct. 40 pages.
Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn't Easy
(Yale Univ Press - Hardcover Book/Audible Audiobook)
By Daniel Okrent. Shines new light on Sondheim's tormented emotional life, wavering self-confidence, and alcoholism, drawing on the artist's intimate correspondence with such notable figures as Hal Prince, Leonard Bernstein, and Arthur Laurents; exclusive interviews with close friends and collaborators, including James Lapine and John Weidman; and Sondheim's own oral history, which remained closed until his death. 320 pages.
March 20, 2026
Paddington The Musical
(Decca Records - new on CD/digital/vinyl)
London cast recording of score by Tom Fletcher. UK release. Vinyl release is 5/22/26.
March 31, 2026
Cowboys at the Ballet: The Story of Choreographer Agnes de Mille
(Atheneum Books for Young Readers - Hardcover Book/Kindle Edition)
By Claire Wrenn Bobrow. Illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati. Picture book about the epic struggle and dramatic breakthrough of Agnes de Mille, the legendary choreographer whose work changed the course of Broadway history. 48 pages.
April 3, 2026
Claybourne Elder: If The Stars Were Mine
(Center Stage Records - new digital album)
Studio recording of Claybourne Elder's one-man show. CD release expected 4/10/26.
Ragtime
(Concord - double LP vinyl)
Three color variants: "Lady Liberty Green" for wide release; "America," available exclusively at Barnes & Noble; and "Ragtime Red," available exclusively at Lincoln Center Theater and Creative Goods. 2025 Broadway revival cast recording of score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Cast includes Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz, Colin Donnell, Nichelle Lewis, Ben Levi Ross, Tony Award-winner Shaina Taub, Anna Grace Barlow, John Clay III, Rodd Cyrus, Nick Barrington and Tabitha Lawing. "Prologue: Ragtime," "Goodbye, My Love," "Journey On," "The Crime of the Century," "What Kind of Woman," "A Shtetl Iz Amereke," "Success," "His Name Was Coalhouse Walker," "Gettin' Ready Rag," "Henry Ford," "Nothing Like The City," "Your Daddy's Son," "New Music," "Wheels of a Dream," "The Night That Goldman Spoke at Union Square," "Gliding," "Justice," "President," "Till We Reach That Day," "Coalhouse's Soliloquy," "Coalhouse Demands," "What a Game," "Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc," "Our Children," "Sarah Brown Eyes," "He Wanted to Say," "Back to Before," "Look What You've Done," "Make Them Hear You," "Epilogue: Ragtime (Reprise) / Wheels of a Dream (Reprise)." Orchestrations by William David Brohn. Recorded, edited, and mixed by Ian Kagey and mastered by Oscar Zambrano. Digital and 2-CD release
April 6, 2026
Vincent (Original Cast Recording)
(new digital album)
Score by Matt DeMaria.
April 7, 2026
The Book of Joel
(powerHouse Books - Hardcover Book)
By Joel Grey. The visual life story of Joel Grey: actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer. This sprawling yet intimate scrapbook-style volume uncovers a kaleidoscope of both famous and previously unseen photographs, family snapshots, playbills, posters, and ephemera from Grey's personal archive, revealing an encyclopedic and all-absorbing visual romp through one of the last living greats of American entertainment. Excavated from Grey's personal archives and the treasure trove of his New York Public Library collection. Also included: intimate essays contributed by Eddie Redmayne Tony Kushner. 176 pages.
April 10, 2026
Claybourne Elder: If The Stars Were Mine
(Center Stage Records - new on CD)
Studio recording of Claybourne Elder's one-man show. Digital released earlier.
April 17, 2026
Katerina McCrimmon: Kat's Out Of The Bag!
(new digital album)
Tour Funny Girl Fanny Brice debut jazz album. "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," "Fever," "I Fall In Love Too Easily," "Misty," "Night and Day," "Rhode Island Is Famous For You," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "I've Got You Under My Skin." Recorded live over two days at 800 East Studios in Atlanta. Produced by Paul Hannah.
April 24, 2026
Michael Ball: Glow
(Tag8 Music - new new on CD/digital/vinyl)
"Best Night of Your Life," "Glow," "A Million Lights," "Little Wins," "Holding on Letting Go," "How Do We Get Back There" (with Liss Jones), "Vintage,"," "You," "Remember to Remember," "On with the Show."
April 28, 2026
Hirschfeld's Icons: A Poster Book
(Abrams ComicArts - Paperback Book)
Collection of 25 removable, ready-to-frame prints by Al Hirschfeld featuring some of the most recognizable icons of the 20th century. Accompanied by commentary and biographies by David Leopold, Creative Director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation. Introduction by Dick Cavett. 58 pages.
June 18, 2026
Mexodus
(Audible Originals - Audible Audiobook)
Musical originally performed at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Created and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, and directed by David Mendizábal.
Release date unknown
Charlie Rosen's Broadway Big Band
(new double album)
First recording from this band, which "puts both modern and classic showtunes on display, sung by the best and brightest of Broadway's young generation of leading performers, in the timeless tradition of Big Band. A full sized Jazz orchestra composed of 17 musicians play Rosen's re-imagined arrangements of an eclectic mix of tunes from Broadway's past, present, and beyond."
Chess
(new album)
2025 Broadway revival cast. Score by Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus. Nicholas Christopher, Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, Hannah Cruz, Bradley Dean, Sean Allan Krill, and Bryce Pinkham
Complete Lyrics of Sheldon Harnick
(new book)
Empire: The Musical
(Yellow Sound Label - new album)
Original Off-Broadway cast recording of score by Caroline Sherman and Robert Hull. Produced by Michael Croiter. Recorded at PowerStation at BerkleeNYC. Release date TBA.
The Fantasticks
(JAY Records - new album)
Studio album recording of score by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones. Brad Oscar, Telly Leung, Elizabeth Teeter, Lewis Cleale, and Ron Raines.
Harbinger Records upcoming releases: material from Eubie Blake; download only demos of Hugh Martin and Sheldon Harnick; Steve Ross' back catalog for download;
Lizard Boy
(new album)
Live recording of 2023 Prospect Theatre cast. Score by Justin Huertas. Cast features Huertas, Kiki deLohr, and William A. Williams. Release date TBA.
Love Life
(new album)
2025 NY City Center Encores! production. Kurt Weill (music), Alan Jay Lerner (lyrics). Cast includes Brian Stokes Mitchell and Kate Baldwin. Further information TBA.
The Nutty Professor
(new album)
Studio recording of score by Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes. Based on the recent Ogunquit Playhouse staging of the musical based on the Jerry Lewis movie.. Cast TBA. 2024 release expected.
Paradise Square OBC
(new on CD/digital)
Broadway cast recording of score Jason Howland (music), Nathan Tysen and Masi Asare (lyrics), with additional music by Larry Kirwan, inspired by the songs of Stephen Foster. Joaquina Kalukango, Chilina Kennedy, John Dossett, Sidney DuPont, A.J. Shively, Nathaniel Stampley, Gabrielle McClinton, Jacob Fishel, Kevin Dennis and Matt Bogart. Produced by Jason Howland and Billy Jay Stein. Recorded at Power Station at BerkleeNYC during the weeks of April 18 and April 25.
Penelope
(Joy Machine Records - new digital album)
Musical by Alex Bechtel, starring Grace McLean, who is also a co-creator. Recorded live at Joe's Pub in October 2025.
The Queen of Versailles
(Sony Masterworks Broadway - new album)
OBC cast recording of score by Stephen Schwartz (book by Lindsey Ferrentino). Cast includes Kristin Chenoweth, F. Murray Abraham, Stephen DeRosa, Greg Hildreth, Tatum Grace Hopkins, Isabelle Keating, and Nina White. "Caviar Dreams" track available now.
Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn
(Yellow Sound Label - new album)
Off-Broadway cast recording. Nikita Burshteyn (Newsies), Anna Kostakis, Carlos Lopez (Man of La Mancha), Michael Marotta (Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical), Judy McLane (Mamma Mia!), Michael Notardonato, Ari Raskin, Troy Valjean Rucker (August Rush), Zach Schanne (Pippin), and Viet Vo (Viet Gone). Lyrics by Mark Saltzman and music adapted from classic Italian melodies. Recorded 2/18/20. Late March release expected.
Signs of Life
(new digital album)
Concept album for score by Christopher DeLair. Shoshana Bean, Jenn Colella, Leif Coomer, Deborah Cox, Bella Coppola, Damon Daunno, Charity Angel Dawson, Alexa Green, Jinkx Monsoon, Aoife O'Donovan, Solea Pfeiffer, Vanessa Williams, Jess Wolfe, and Holly Laessig.
Tammy Faye
(new album)
Music by Elton John; lyrics by Jake Shears. Cast from Almeida Theatre debut production. Details TBA.
This Side of the World
(new album)
East West Players cast recording of score by Paulo K Tiról.