The Best Audition Songs for A Chorus Line – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for A Chorus Line? 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 A Chorus Line, broken down by character.
Since A Chorus Line is a musical from the 1970s, most of the following songs are from pre-contemporary musicals as well (1970s-1990s). In addition, there is a theatrical/energetic vibe to many of the below 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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “A Chorus Line” Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 or libretto while listening to the A Chorus Line cast album➝.
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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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.
Al DeLuca
“I’d Rather Be Sailing” – A New Brain
“Morning Glow” – Pippin
“The Kid Inside” – Is There Life After High School?
“With Anne on My Arm” – La Cage Aux Folles
Bobby Mills
“Last One Picked” – Whoop-Dee-Doo!
“Lucky” – Lucky Stiff
“Stars” – Big
“Things I Learned in High School” – Is There Life After High School?
Cassie Ferguson
“Dancing All the Time” – Big
“Lonely Lady” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking it on the Road
“Patterns” – Baby
“West End Avenue” – The Magic Show
Connie Wong
“Funny” – My Favorite Year
“Look What Happened to Mabel” – Mack & Mabel
“Poor Sweet Baby” – Snoopy!!!
“Wait a Bit” – Just So
Diana Morales
“He’s Good For Me” – Seesaw
“Spread a Little Sunshine” – Pippin
“Take That Look Off Your Face” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“Think of Meryl Streep” – Fame
Maggie Winslow
“Disneyland” – Smile
“Hear My Song” – Songs for a New World
“Kind of Woman” – Pippin
“Where is the Warmth?” – The Baker’s Wife
Mike Costa
“Can’t Keep it Down” – Fame
“Extraordinary” – Pippin
“I Want to Make Magic” – Fame
“My Daddy Always Taught Me to Share” – Grind
Richie Walters
“All Good Gifts” – Godspell
“Dancin’ on the Sidewalk” – Fame
“Fabulous Feet” – The Tap Dance Kid
“Let It Sing” – Violet
Sheila Bryant
“All Things to One Man” – Grind
“Lion Tamer” – The Magic Show
“The Last Man in My Life” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“Time Heals Everything” – Mack & Mabel
Val Clark
“I Wanna be a Rockette” – Kicks
“It’s an Art” – Working
“Miss Byrd” – Closer Than Ever
“Times Like This” – Lucky Stiff
Zach
“I Wanna Make the World Laugh” – Mack & Mabel
“My City” – Seesaw
“Second Chance” – Steel Pier
“Three is a Magic Number” – Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Nobody Does It Like Me” – Seesaw
“Superhero Girl” – Starmites
“The Story Goes On” – Baby
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Easier to Love” – Baby
“I Won’t Send Roses” – Mack & Mabel
“Larger Than Life” – My Favorite Year
Ensemble (Basses)
“I Don’t Remember Christmas” – Starting Here Starting Now
“Movies Were Movies” – Mack & Mabel
“No, Mary Ann” – The Thing of It Is [film/non-musical theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Still Believe in Love” – They’re Playing Our Song
“I Want to Go to Hollywood” – Grand Hotel
“Nobody Tells Me How” – Working
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“In L.A.” – Fame
“Out Here On My Own” – Fame
“Let’s Play a Love Scene” – Fame
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Corner of the Sky” – Pippin
“I Chose Right” – Baby
“On the Willows” – Godspell
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for A Chorus Line:
• “All Kidding Aside” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Aunt Dan and Lemon” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Fun House Mirror” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “I Don’t Want to Be an Actress➝” from Snakebit (Jenifer)
• “We Both Are➝” from Footloose (Ren)
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!
A Chorus Line Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in A Chorus Line, 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.
“I Hope I Get It” – Company
“I Can Do That” – Mike
“And…” – Bobby, Richie, Val, Judy
“At the Ballet” – Sheila, Bebe, Maggie
“Sing!” – Kristine, Al
“Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love” – Connie, Company
“Nothing” – Diana
“Dance: Ten; Looks: Three” – Val
“The Music and the Mirror” – Cassie
“One” – Company
“What I Did for Love” – Diana, Company
“One (Reprise) / Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for A Chorus Line 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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
