The Best Audition Songs for All Shook Up – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for All Shook Up? 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 All Shook Up, broken down by character.
All Shook Up is a contemporary musical that’s set in the 1950s. Because of that, most of the following songs have a 1950s vibes to them. There are also a few non-musical theatre pop/rock songs from the 1950s and 60s below in case your audition specifically calls for that.
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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 from a specific time period, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your 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 listen to the All Shook Up cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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.
Chad
“Heartbeat” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
“Music of My Soul” – Memphis
“Radio” – Memphis
“Serve Yourself” – Pump Boys and Dinettes
Dean Hyde
“Alone at the Drive-In Movie” – Grease
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” – Jersey Boys
“Cry for Me” – Jersey Boys
“Those Magic Changes” – Grease
Dennis
“Baby Don’t Go” – The Cher Show/Sonny & Cher
“Earth Angel” – The Penguins [1950s/non-theatre]
“Fallen Angel” – Jersey Boys
“Mooning” – Grease
Jim
“Crackin’ Up” – Bo Diddley [1950s/non-theatre]
“Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer” – The Four Lads [1950s/non-theatre]
“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
“Magic Moments” – Perry Como [1950s/non-theatre]
Lorraine
“All I Need Is an Angel” – Grease Live!
“Be Anything” – Connie Francis [1950s/non-theatre]
“Don’t Make Me Over” – Dionne Warwick [1960s/non-theatre]
“There Are Worse Things I Could Do” – Grease
Miss Sandra
“All Falls Down” – Chaplin
“I Say a Little Prayer” – Dionne Warwick/Promises, Promises
“Lost and Found” – City of Angels
“One of the Boys” – 9 to 5
Natalie Haller/Ed
“Freddy My Love” – Grease
“Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Grease
“It’s Raining on Prom Night” – Grease
“Screw Loose” – Cry-Baby
Sylvia
“Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss” – Memphis
“Mama Said” – The Shirelles [1960s/non-theatre]
“Maybe” – The Chantels [1950s/non-theatre]
“Someday” – Memphis
Ensemble (Altos)
“I Only Want to Be With You” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee” – Grease
“Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise)” – Grease
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Greased Lightnin’” – Grease
“Multiplication” – Bobby Darin [1960s/non-theatre]
“Rhythm of the Rain” – The Cascades [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“Mona Lisa” – Nat King Cole [1940s/non-theatre]
“One Last Kiss” – Bye Bye Birdie
“True Love Ways” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
Ensemble (Contras)
“It’s a Business” – Curtains
“Maybe (Baby)” – Grease Live!
“Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” – Lesley Gore [1960s/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Cooties” – Hairspray
“Easy to Say” – Zombie Prom
“Sincerely” – The McGuire Sisters [1950s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Big Love” – Memphis
“How Can I Say Goodbye?” – Zombie Prom
“Sandy” – Grease
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for All Shook Up:
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “Harvey and I➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “I Can’t Write” from The Genius➝
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
• “Well Done, Junior Disaster Committee!➝” from Cry-Baby (Baldwin)
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!
All Shook Up Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in All Shook Up, 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:
“Jailhouse Rock” – Chad, Ensemble
“Love Me Tender” – Natalie, Dennis
“Heartbreak Hotel” – Henrietta, Dennis, Sylvia, Lorraine, Jim, Ensemble
“Roustabout” – Chad
“One Night With You” – Natalie
“C’mon Everybody” – Chad, Natalie, Dennis, Company
“Follow That Dream” – Chad, Natalie
“Hound Dog” / “Teddy Bear” – Chad, Miss Sandra, Dennis, Natalie
“That’s All Right” – Sylvia, Lorraine, Chad, Dennis, Dean, Ensemble
“Devil in Disguise” – Mayor Matilda, Ensemble
“It’s Now or Never” – Dean, Lorraine, Company
“Blue Suede Shoes” – Natalie (Ed), Chad
“Don’t Be Cruel” – Chad, Jim
“Let Yourself Go” – Miss Sandra, Ensemble
“Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Company
Act 2:
“All Shook Up” – Company
“It Hurts Me” – Dennis, Company
“A Little Less Conversation” – Natalie (Ed), Company
“The Power of My Love” – Chad, Jim, Miss Sandra
“I Don’t Want To” – Chad
“There’s Always Me” – Sylvia
“If I Can Dream” – Chad, Lorraine, Dean, Company
“Fools Fall In Love” – Natalie, Company
“Burning Love” – Company
Which of these audition songs for All Shook Up 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.