5 Good Audition Songs for Musicals by Voice Type

Ready for your big break? Check out this list of good audition songs for musicals to discover all the fantastic options you have to choose from!

Musical theatre auditions can be daunting, especially when they’re only asking for 16-32 bars of a song. No matter if you’re asked to prepare a cut or if you’re lucky enough to sing your whole song, it’s super important to find the song that really sells your voice.

Musical theatre goes beyond voice type- it’s equally important to have tons of personality and serious acting chops. With this in mind, selecting your audition repertoire can be a lot more fun.

For some initial pointers check out the video below, then keep reading as we share 20 more good audition songs for musicals. We’ll include selections for each voice type, representing a mix of both classic and modern shows!

Good Audition Songs for Musicals

Sopranos

• “This Place is Mine” from “Phantom” by Maury Yeston. Everyone sings from the OTHER “Phantom” – don’t make that mistake! Funny divas can really sell this song. It’s as big as anything you’d find in the major hits from that era (and you know what they are!) but this song is hardly overdone.
• “To Keep My Love Alive” from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” by Rodgers and Hart. So outrageously funny! This is for the soprano who’s also a comedienne. Plus, it’s always good to have some Rodgers and Hart in your repertoire!
• “Unexpected Song” from “Song and Dance”. This is an absolutely beautiful ballad from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lesser-known works. You can’t go wrong with a single song in the show, in fact; it’s a one-woman show and you have a lot of great audition songs to choose from!
• “One More Kiss” from “Follies”. It’s not always a good idea to bring in Sondheim unless they specifically ask for it (too complicated for many accompanists), but this is a simpler tune in the style of song from an old operetta.

[cta_split_test id=”BST-Singing-Shortcode”]

Belters/Mezzos

• “How ‘Bout a Dance?”  from “ Bonnie and Clyde” by Frank Wildhorn. This is a sassy and fun song perfect for a younger actress that belts. This musical is fairly recent, but due to the fact it was not a hit… well, chances are not too many other people will be walking in with this one!
• “Wherever He Ain’t “ from “Mack and Mabel”. What a score! This is an up-tempo, rag-timey song that is just plain fun to sing by a spunky leading lady. While “Mack and Mabel” is respected for its glorious score by Jerry Herman, this show never took off!
• “Home “ from “The Wiz”. This a pop-like song that builds. Memorable melody and you can really put some emotion behind it. Perfect if you’re auditioning for something like “Dreamgirls” (but again, it’s best to avoid those songs unless they specifically ask for them).
• “All Falls Down” from “Chaplin”.This song is sung by the character of Hedda Hopper in the show. It’s a real scene stealer! Another modern (2006) musical that was not a hit, but has a marvelous score (see a theme here?).
• “The Music That Makes Me Dance” from “Funny Girl”. We all know that Barbra owns “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, but this lesser-known ballad from the show is gorgeous and a solid choice.

Tenors