A cast album (also called a cast recording) is designed to capture the performance exactly as the audience experienced it in the theater.  An original cast album features the shows original performers.  It is also common to identify the specific venue, for example, "the original London cast album".  This is especially true if the venue is different than Broadway.

Cast albums are typically recorded in a studio rather than during a live performance at the theater.  The lyrics and the music should be almost identical to contemporaneous live performances. The studio recording can render a product that has higher technical quality than a theater performance and can eliminate actor mistakes that can be introduced into a live show.  This enhanced rendering also eliminates the audience reaction.  Nevertheless, the cast album preserves a memorable theater experience and provides a treasured archive for future theater aficionados.
"SOUTH PACIFIC" Original Broadway Cast Recording 1960

"SOUTH PACIFIC" Original Broadway Cast Recording 1960

- $6.00 1h 54m
PAL JOEY   CAST RECORDING- PAL JOEY   CAST RECORDING

PAL JOEY CAST RECORDING- PAL JOEY CAST RECORDING

$5.81 2h 47m
Hair CD (1968) Original Broadway Cast Recording

Hair CD (1968) Original Broadway Cast Recording

-
$6.49
$7.99
3h 55m
Gigi CD (1973) Original Broadway Cast Recording

Gigi CD (1973) Original Broadway Cast Recording

-
$6.21
$7.99
3h 55m
Pippin CD (1972,  Original Cast Recording) Ben Vereen

Pippin CD (1972, Original Cast Recording) Ben Vereen

-
$6.24
$7.99
3h 55m
Guys & Dolls CD (1992) New Broadway Cast Recording

Guys & Dolls CD (1992) New Broadway Cast Recording

-
$0.98
$1.99
3h 55m
After the Fair CD (1999) Original Cast Recording

After the Fair CD (1999) Original Cast Recording

-
$8.87
$9.99
3h 55m
Pal Joey CD (1995) Original NY Cast Recording

Pal Joey CD (1995) Original NY Cast Recording

-
$4.97
$5.99
3h 55m
Me And Juliet CD (1953) Original Cast Recording

Me And Juliet CD (1953) Original Cast Recording

-
$7.88
$8.99
3h 55m
Assassins: The Broadway Cast Recording CD (2004)

Assassins: The Broadway Cast Recording CD (2004)

1 $5.95 3h 55m
MAMMA MIA 5TH ANNIVERSAR Original Cast Recording NEW CD

MAMMA MIA 5TH ANNIVERSAR Original Cast Recording NEW CD

$19.54 4h 19m
CAST-BROADWAY- 1776   NEW BROADWAY CAST RECORDING CD

CAST-BROADWAY- 1776 NEW BROADWAY CAST RECORDING CD

$12.86 4h 59m
HAIR - THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING

HAIR - THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING

- $1.30 5h 29m
VARIOUS (CAST RECORDING)**ANYTHING GOES!**CD

VARIOUS (CAST RECORDING)**ANYTHING GOES!**CD

$7.95 5h 52m
Reel to Reel Purlie Original Broadway Cast Recording 7½

Reel to Reel Purlie Original Broadway Cast Recording 7½

- $5.00 6h 10m
1 CENT CD The Fantasticks - Original Cast Album

1 CENT CD The Fantasticks - Original Cast Album

4 $2.30 6h 48m
Songs from Godspell,  ,  Cast Recording

Songs from Godspell, , Cast Recording

$26.94 6h 55m
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF [CAST RECORDING] ( NEW CD) BROADWAY

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF [CAST RECORDING] ( NEW CD) BROADWAY

$19.99 6h 55m
VARIOUS ARTISTS (LONDON CAST RECORDING)**OLIVER!**CD

VARIOUS ARTISTS (LONDON CAST RECORDING)**OLIVER!**CD

$8.95 7h 40m
Altar Boyz: Original Cast Recording CD NEW SEALED

Altar Boyz: Original Cast Recording CD NEW SEALED

$13.30 7h 45m