The Best Audition Songs for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Do you have an upcoming audition for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum? 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 Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, broken down by character.
Since A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a post-golden age musical, the songs below are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there are lots of comedic, energetic, and timeless vibes below 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 (something upbeat, Sondheim, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your casting call. For your convenience, all of the Sondheim songs are marked below.
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 for A Funny Thing Happened➝ while listening to the A Funny Thing Happened 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 (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.
Domina
“Come Home” – Allegro
“I Am Loved” – Out of This World
“What Good Would the Moon Be?” – Street Scene
“Yes, My Heart” – Carnival!
Hero
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
“Real Live Girl” – Little Me
“Very Soft Shoes” – Once Upon a Mattress
“What Kind of Fool Am I?” – Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
Hysterium
“A Little Gossip” – Man of La Mancha
“I Really Like Him” – Man of La Mancha
“Snoopy” – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
“The Kite” – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Miles Gloriosus
“C’est Moi” – Camelot
“Dulcinea” – Man of La Mancha
“The Impossible Dream” – Man of La Mancha
“Where Is the Life That Late I Led?” – Kiss Me, Kate
Philia
“All For You” – Saturday Night [Sondheim]
“Anyone Can Whistle” – Anyone Can Whistle [Sondheim]
“Mira” – Carnival!
“What Does He Want of Me?” – Man of La Mancha
Prologus / Pseudolus
“A Wonderful Day Like Today” – The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd
“Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Everybody Says Don’t” – Anyone Can Whistle [Sondheim]
“This Is a Great Country” – Mr. President
Ensemble (Altos)
“Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“The Beast in You” – Goldilocks
“The Usher from the Mezzanine” – Fade Out – Fade In
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Broadway Baby” – Dames at Sea
“If I Be Your Best Chance” – Walking Happy
“What Makes It Happen?” – Walking Happy
Ensemble (Basses)
“I Love My Wife” – I Do! I Do!
“Once Upon a Time” – All American
“Your Eyes Are Blue” – Marry Me a Little [Sondheim]
Ensemble (Contras)
“Before I Kiss the World Goodbye” – Jennie
“I’ve Got What You Want” – The Apple Tree
“Why Do The Wrong People Travel?” – Sail Away
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Now’s the Time” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“The Swamps of Home” – Once Upon a Mattress
“Under the Tree” – Celebration
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I Have to Tell You” – Fanny
“Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” – Carnival
“The Pussy Foot” – Goldilocks
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Stay” – Do I Hear a Waltz? [Sondheim lyrics]
“Take the Moment” – Do I Hear a Waltz? [Sondheim lyrics]
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for A Funny Thing Happened:
• “Fifty-Two From Sixty-Four➝” from The Forced Marriage➝
• “Ismene” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Still Want to Kiss Me?➝” from King Arthur’s Socks➝
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
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 Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 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 1:
“Comedy Tonight” – Prologus, Company
“Love, I Hear” – Hero
“Free” – Pseudolus, Hero
“Lovely” – Philia, Hero
“Pretty Little Picture” – Pseudolus, Hero, Philia
“Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” – Senex, Pseudolus, Hysterium, Lycus
“I’m Calm” – Hysterium
“Impossible” – Senex, Hero
“Bring Me My Bride” – Miles, Company
Act 2:
“That Dirty Old Man” – Domina
“That’ll Show Him” – Philia
“Lovely (Reprise)” – Pseudolus, Hysterium
“Funeral Sequence” – Pseudolus, Miles, Company
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 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.