Exclusive: Behind the Scenes with Kate Baldwin, Brian d’Arcy James, and Off-Broadway’s Giant Recording Session

The original off-Broadway cast of Michael John LaChiusa and Sybille Pearson’s musical, Giant, headed into the studio earlier this week to record the acclaimed production’s original cast album. TheaterMania was on the scene at MSR Studios to bring you exclusive photos from the two-day session, as cast members — including Tony nominees Brian d’Arcy James (Time Stands Still), Kate Baldwin (Finian’s Rainbow), John Dossett (Newsies), and Tony Award winner Michele Pawk (Hollywood Arms) — laid down tracks so the show could live on in musical theater history. Check out our photo gallery below.

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Kate Baldwin steals a moment of quiet before the fun begins.
(© David Gordon)

We think Miguel Cervantes is saying “This is how we should record this section…”
(© David Gordon)

We found this “Dear Diary, Today my heart was broken. I <3 Lupe,” on one of the music stands in the recording booth.
(© David Gordon)

We look into the orchestra’s studio prior to the session.
(© David Gordon)

Musical director/conductor Chris Fenwick studies the sheet music.
(© David Gordon)

Guitarist Kevin Kuhn tunes up his mandolin.
(© David Gordon)

A look at the keyboard sheet music for the big second act sequence, “The Desert.”
(© David Gordon)

A few of the many instruments used in the session are in the percussion department’s separate recording room.
(© David Gordon)

Percussionist Kory Grossman keeps the beat going.
(© David Gordon)

Coffee in hand, PJ Griffith (Jett Rink) studies his music before a big day of singing.
(© David Gordon)

Conductor Chris Fenwick gets ready to keep time.
(© David Gordon)

In the control room, composer/lyricist Michael John LaChiusa keeps an eye on the proceedings.
(© David Gordon)

Brian d’Arcy James is all business as Bick Benedict.
(© David Gordon)

Kate Baldwin and Brian d’Arcy James record one of their many duets as Bick and Leslie Benedict.
(© David Gordon)

Director Michael Greif, record producer Kurt Deutsch, and composer/lyricist Michael John LaChiusa discuss a vocal take.
(© David Gordon)

Seven-time Grammy winning sound engineer and mixer Joel Moss studies the vocals from the control room.
(© David Gordon)

Kate Baldwin warms up before laying down a track.
(© David Gordon)

In a moment of spare time, PJ Griffith leads us on a tour of the control room.
(© David Gordon)

Michael Halling, Enrique Acevedo, and Martin Sola study the sheet music before joining the ensemble on “My Texas.”
(© David Gordon)

Giant ladies Melissa Mitchell, Becca Ayers, Isabel Santiago, Allison Rogers, Natalie Cortez feel the spirit of the first act finale.
(© David Gordon)

The gents of Giant, Matthew Stocke, Michael Halling, Enrique Acevedo, Martin Sola, Jon Fletcher, and Miguel Cervantes, are music superstars!
(© David Gordon)

Composer/lyricist Michael John LaChiusa guides the ensemble through the score — just the way he wants it.
(© David Gordon)

Giant ladies Mary Bacon, Rocio Del Mar Valles, Katie Thompson, and Doreen Montalvo rehearse the first act finale.
(© David Gordon)

Michele Pawk studies her sheet music before laying down vocals for Luz Benedict’s big number, “No Time for Surprises.”
(© David Gordon)

Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis is thrilled that this giant musical, written by Sybille Pearson (left) and Michael John LaChiusa (right), is getting preserved.
(© David Gordon)

Mackenzie Mauzy (Lil Luz) and PJ Griffith study their big number, “When to Bluff,” before heading into the booth.
(© David Gordon)

Mackenzie Mauzy is greeted with a big hug from composer/lyricist Michael John LaChiusa upon finishing her songs.
(© David Gordon)

John Dossett and Michele Pawk may have never shared a scene on stage, but they’re one of the theater world’s favorite stage couples!
(© David Gordon)

Talented and attractive Broadway favorites Brian d’Arcy James and Kate Baldwin are all smiles as they get ready to duet on “The Desert.”
(© David Gordon)