by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 11:30 AM ET, Fri September 9, 2016
It's actually quite surprising that it hasn't been done before: featuring a cruise ship production show with both an original cast recording album and a documentary short film.
There have always been CDs for sale from guest performers onboard cruise ships, but never has there been a cruise line-presented disc or download. Princess Cruises is changing that as its "Magic to Do" musical (pictured above) from award-winning Stephen Schwartz is being released on September 9, 2016 on CD, digital download and via streaming services in conjunction with DMI Soundtracks.
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This just goes to show how much the onboard entertainment scene has evolved recently, that an original show would garner enough attention to warrant the release of a fully-produced recording. Having seen the production first hand, I can attest that it is one of a growing number of excellent cruise ship performances that justifies such a release.
In fact, while the show mostly contains a revue of Schwartz' songs, the album will include the premier recording of four songs: "Beyond Belief," "It'll Be Me" and "A Little Magic," an original song written exclusively for Princess. The recording is already available for preorder on iTunes.
"Collaborating with Stephen and his creative team has been an incredible honor for our entertainment team," said Adrian Fischer, vice president, entertainment experience for Princess Cruises. "'Magic to Do' can only be seen on a Princess cruise and we're thrilled to be the first cruise line to offer an original cast recording album to such a fantastic production show."
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If you're interested in the fascinating creative process that led to the show's debut and album release, Princess has also unveiled an interesting 25-minute documentary called "Magic to Do: The Story Behind the Magic" (embedded below) that begins with the March 12, 2015 announcement of the partnership with Schwartz. It then highlights auditions, rehearsals, costuming, puppetry, magic, special effects, sound design and even the original recording of the backing track that is mixed with the live instrumentalists and singers onboard.
"Our partnership with Stephen Schwartz has been an incredible, collaborative opportunity for everyone involved and we wanted to chronicle the entire journey of the making of his first musical at sea with 'The Story Behind the Magic.'" said Fischer. "We hope viewers can see the passion and commitment that went into the unique production through this engaging documentary."
The film may document the journey from New York City to San Pedro where "Magic to Do" was first brought to life aboard the Crown Princess before it also debuted on the Ruby Princess and Emerald Princess, but it's just the beginning. Schwartz will work with Princess to launch a total of four musicals, and the second "Born to Dance" Broadway choreography tribute is next to be unveiled this coming fall.
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