BK
Does it really cost $400,000 to record a cast album.
How can one make there money?? If a cd cost $20 you need to 40,000 units just to break even.
When you did Hello Dolly or The King and I were the cost that much.
If you start with the actor's compensation which is usually equivalent to two weeks pay, for a cast of 25:
25 x $1558 (current AEA minimum) x 2 = $77,900
-And that does not take into account any special, negotiated salaries.
The musician's rate is almost the same.
Then factor in the studio rental, the fees for the recording personnel, post-production, packaging, marketing, etc., etc., etc.
It does add up after a while.