The Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album has been awarded since 1959. The award is generally given to the album producer, principal vocalist(s), and the composer and lyricist if they have written a new score which comprises 51% or more playing time of the album.
Process
Over the years, the qualifications for the individual nominees has fluctuated with principal artists, composers, and producers at one point being the sole eligible nominee, to the current (as of the 65th Grammy Awards) standard which is as follows: "For albums containing greater than 51% playing time of new recordings. Award to the principal vocalist(s), and the album producer(s) of 50% or more playing time of the album. The lyricist(s) and composer(s) of 50 % or more of a score of a new recording are eligible for an Award if any previous recording of said score has not been nominated in this category."
Vocalists were first awarded in this category at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in 2012. When an album does not feature any individual soloists and predominantly features an ensemble cast, no individual award is given to the members of the ensemble, with each member instead receiving a winners certificate. As of the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, only a maximum of four principle vocalists can be awarded (previously unlimited), in addition to the producer/s and lyricists/composers.
Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were handed out, for music released in the previous year.
Name changes
This award has had several minor name changes:
In 1959 the award was known as Best Original Cast Album (Broadway or TV) In 1960 it was awarded as Best Broadway Show Album In 1961 it was awarded as Best Show Album (Original Cast) From 1962 to 1963 it was awarded as Best Original Cast Show Album From 1964 to 1973 it was awarded as Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album From 1974 to 1975 it was awarded as Best Score From the Original Cast Show Album From 1976 to 1986 it was awarded as Best Cast Show Album From 1987 to 1991 it was awarded as Best Musical Cast Show Album From 1992 to 2011 it was awarded as Best Musical Show Album From 2012 it has been known as Best Musical Theater Album.
Winner and nominees
†indicates the winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical
Shows with multiple wins and nominations
Shows with multiple wins
2 wins: Gypsy Les Misérables West Side Story Into the Woods
Shows with multiple nominations
4 nominations
Gypsy
West Side Story
Into the Woods
3 nominations: Anything Goes Chicago Follies Guys and Dolls Hair Hello, Dolly! The King and I Les Misérables A Little Night Music The Music Man My Fair Lady Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
2 nominations: Ain't Misbehavin' Assassins Carousel Cabaret Cats A Chorus Line Company Crazy for You The Color Purple Fiddler on the Roof Flower Drum Song A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Hedwig and the Angry Inch How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Kiss of the Spider Woman Kiss Me, Kate Kinky Boots Little Shop of Horrors Man of La Mancha Me and My Girl Nine Oklahoma! Pacific Overtures Promises, Promises Ragtime South Pacific Sweet Charity You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Zorba
Individuals with multiple wins
6 wins: Thomas Z. Shepard Stephen Sondheim
5 wins: Frank Filipetti Jay David Saks
3 wins: Alex Lacamoire Charles Strouse
2 wins: David Caddick Pete Ganbarg Pete Karam Goddard Lieberson Lin-Manuel Miranda Stephen Oremus Phil Ramone Tim Rice Richard Rodgers Stephen Schwartz Phillipa Soo Bill Sherman Andrew Lloyd Webber Todd Whitelock