Kennedy Caughell releases debut solo album

24-07-26

Broadway star Kennedy Caughell has released her debut solo album, Just the Beginning, available now on streaming and digital platforms via Center Stage Records.

Currently touring the US as Jersey in Alicia Keys’ Tony Award-winning musical Hell’s Kitchen, Caughell showcases the versatility that has made her one of musical theatre’s rising stars across a collection of beloved Broadway favourites, contemporary musical theatre songs and two world premiere recordings.

Produced by Robbie Rozelle, Brian Spector and Caughell herself, the album draws on roles that have defined her career, including songs from Wicked, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, 9 to 5, Waitress and Paradise Square. It also introduces listeners to the title song from the new musical Far from Canterbury, alongside newer favourites from The Notebook and Violet, and classic musical theatre standards from Company and Annie Get Your Gun.

Among the album’s highlights are two world premiere recordings connected to Paradise Square, including the previously unheard “I Dream of Janey”, a song cut from the Broadway production. Both tracks feature arrangements and orchestrations by the show’s composer Jason Howland.

The album also features guest appearances from Jason Gotay (Floyd Collins), Ben Fankhauser (Newsies), Shoba Narayan (Aladdin) and Isaiah Bailey (The Phantom of the Opera National Tour).

Speaking about the release, Caughell described Just the Beginning as “a love letter to the music that shaped me”, adding that she hopes the collection brings “a little more joy, a little more hope, and a little more light” to listeners while encouraging them to believe in themselves.

Originally from Oklahoma, Caughell has built an impressive stage career, appearing on Broadway in Paradise Square, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Her national tour credits include Elphaba in Wicked, Elsa in Frozen, Carole King in Beautiful and Jenna in Waitress, while she currently stars as Jersey in the national tour of Hell’s Kitchen.

Released by Center Stage Records, the label founded by Grammy and Tony Award winner Van Dean, Just the Beginning is available to stream and download now.

Track listing

Just the Beginning (Far from Canterbury)
My Days (The Notebook)
I’m Not That Girl / Defying Gravity (Wicked)
Catch My Breath / This Is Me (The Greatest Showman)
I Dream of Janey (cut from Paradise Square)
Get Out and Stay Out (9 to 5)
Being Alive (Company)
I See the Light (with Jason Gotay) (Tangled)
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical)
Heaven Save Our Home (Paradise Square)
You Matter to Me (with Ben Fankhauser) (Waitress)
I Got the Sun in the Morning (Annie Get Your Gun)
A Dream Worth Chasing Trio (with Isaiah Bailey and Shoba Narayan): Into the Unknown (Frozen 2) / How Far I’ll Go (Moana) / Go the Distance (Hercules)
Let It Sing (Violet)

Stream or download the album HERE