The Best Audition Songs for 42nd Street – By Character
When considering audition songs for 42nd Street, it’s fitting to choose an upbeat song in the style of jazz age musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because 42nd Street is a 1980 musical based on a 1933 film, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals that are set in the 1920s–1930s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
Step 1: Review Audition Info
Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (a ballad, something upbeat, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
Step 2: Study the Show
Before auditioning, you should get familiar with the show, and listening to the cast album is a great way to do that. Here’s where you can learn more about 42nd Street.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for 42nd Street
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Billy Lawlor
“All I Need Is the Girl” – Gypsy
“Broadway Baby” – Dames at Sea
“Little Jazz Bird” – Lady, Be Good!
“Nice Work If You Can Get It” – Nice Work If You Can Get It
Dorothy Brock
“All Falls Down” – Chaplin
“Lost and Found” – City of Angels
“No Man Left for Me” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Only in New York” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
Julian Marsh
“A Kiss for Cinderella” – Of Thee I Sing
“I Happen to Like New York” – The New Yorkers
“Second Chance” – Steel Pier
“Stay With Me” – City of Angels
Peggy Sawyer
“Anything Goes” – Anything Goes
“Blow, Gabriel, Blow” – Anything Goes
“I Get a Kick Out of You” – Anything Goes
“Johnny One Note” – Babes in Arms
❓ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or something even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“My Funny Valentine” – Babes in Arms
“Once You Lose Your Heart” – Me and My Girl
“That Mister Man of Mine” – Dames at Sea
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Beautiful Girl” – Singin’ in the Rain
“Leaning on a Lamp Post” – Me and My Girl
“Why Should I Wake Up?” – Cabaret
Ensemble (Basses)
“Easy to Love” – Anything Goes
“Oh, Lady Be Good!” – Lady, Be Good!
“You Were Meant for Me” – Singin’ in the Rain
Ensemble (Contras)
“Boy! What Love Has Done to Me” – Girl Crazy
“The Sailor of My Dreams” – Dames at Sea
“Willing to Ride” – Steel Pier
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye” – Anything Goes
“Star Tar” – Dames at Sea
“What Good Is Love?” – Pins and Needles
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Falling in Love With Love” – The Boys from Syracuse
“Glad to Be Unhappy” – On Your Toes
“Most Gentlemen Don’t Like Love” – The New Yorkers
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Starting at the Bottom” – Fine and Dandy
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for 42nd Street:
• “In a Minute” from The Anniversary
• “Inferiority Complex” from The Glass Menagerie
• “Just to Act” from George Washington Slept Here
• “Some Crazy Poem” from Mack & Mabel
• “Twelve Floperoos” from Dames at Sea
Step 5: Audition Prep
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
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42nd Street Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in 42nd Street along with which characters sing in each of them. Unless you have been asked to, do not choose from the below songs for your audition! This is more intended to be used for character research purposes.
* That said, if you’ve specifically been asked to sing a song from the show, you can find the sheet music for the best possible audition songs below.
Act I:
“Young and Healthy” – Billy, Peggy
“Shadow Waltz” – Maggie, Dorothy, Ensemble
“Go into Your Dance” – Maggie, Peggy, Annie, Phyllis, Lorraine, Andy
“You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me” – Dorothy
“Getting Out of Town” – Maggie, Bert, Ensemble
“Dames” – Billy, Ensemble
“I Know Now” – Dorothy, Billy, Ensemble
“We’re in the Money” – Annie, Phyllis, Lorraine, Peggy, Billy, Ensemble
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Dorothy
Act 2:
“Sunny Side to Every Situation” – Annie, Ensemble
“Lullaby of Broadway” – Julian, Ensemble
“About a Quarter to Nine” – Dorothy, Peggy
“Shuffle Off to Buffalo” – Bert, Maggie, Annie, Ensemble
“Forty-Second Street” – Peggy, Ensemble
“Finale” / “Forty-Second Street” – Julian
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
