The Best Audition Songs for 42nd Street – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for 42nd Street? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for 42nd Street, by character.
42nd Street is a pre-contemporary musical that’s set in the 1930s. Because of that, most of the songs below are also from musicals set in the 1920s/1930s. In addition, there is a classic and upbeat vibe to many of these songs in order to match the style of the show.
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Step 1: Read your audition details
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: Get to know the show
In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to read through the synopsis while listening to the 42nd Street cast album➝. Or you could watch the live recording of 42nd Street➝.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just keep in mind that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
There’s usually a spot on the audition form asking if you are open to being in the ensemble or accepting a different role. I would suggest ticking that box and taking whatever you are offered. Every role is important, and you will earn valuable experience in a show.
And on that same note, even if you audition for the ensemble (rather than a specific character), there’s always a chance of being cast in a leading or supporting role!
To summarize, keep an open mind and try not to take the process too seriously. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
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
Ensemble (Altos)
“My Funny Valentine” – Babes in Arms
“Somebody Older” – Steel Pier
“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
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye” – Anything Goes
“Wall Street” – Dames at Sea
“What Good Is Love?” – Pins and Needles
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Glad to Be Unhappy” – On Your Toes
“Most Gentlemen Don’t Like Love” – The New Yorkers
“Would You?” – Singin’ in the Rain
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:
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “I Don’t Know➝” from Sun Dried➝ (Mary Louise)
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
• “Wholeheartedly in Love” from Overruled➝
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
Final Step: Prepare for your audition
After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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! The following 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, Company
“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
Which of these audition songs for 42nd Street did you choose?
And what role are you auditioning for? We would love to hear all about it in the comments! And in the meantime, you can check out our database of best audition songs for other musicals.
Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.