The Best Audition Songs for Anyone Can Whistle – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Anyone Can Whistle? 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 Anyone Can Whistle, broken down by character.
Since Anyone Can Whistle is a 1960s musical, the following songs are from 1960s-1970s musicals as well. In addition, there are lots of Sondheim songs 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 (a ballad, something uptempo, 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 Anyone Can Whistle 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, decide which character you’d like to audition for. And finally, choose a suitable song from the list below!
Cora Hooper Hoover
“Before the Parade Passes By” – Hello, Dolly!
“I’m Still Here” – Follies [Sondheim]
“Poor Everybody Else” – Seesaw
“Say Yes” – 70, Girls, 70
Fay Apple
“I’m a Brass Band” – Sweet Charity
“Now’s the Time” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“On the Other Side of the Tracks” – Little Me
“Open the Window” – Anne of Green Gables
J. Bowden Hapgood
“If You Can Find Me I’m Here” – Evening Primrose [Sondheim]
“Love, I Hear” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Sondheim]
“She Likes Basketball” – Promises, Promises
“Your Eyes Are Blue” – Marry Me a Little [Sondheim]
Ensemble (Altos)
“I Put My Hand In” – Hello, Dolly!
“Open a New Window” – Mame
“The Usher from the Mezzanine” – Fade Out – Fade In
Ensemble (Baritones)
“It Takes a Woman” – Hello, Dolly!
“My Wish” – Miracle on 34th Street
“Two a Day” – Parade
Ensemble (Basses)
“Love Is in the Air” – A Funny Thing Happened… [Sondheim/cut]
“This Is a Great Country” – Mr. President
“Try to Remember” – The Fantasticks
Ensemble (Contras)
“Send in the Clowns” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]
“The Story of Lucy and Jessie” – Follies [Sondheim]
“Why Do The Wrong People Travel?” – Sail Away
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I Wanted to Change Him” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Sing Happy” – Flora, the Red Menace
“Take Me to the World” – Evening Primrose [Sondheim]
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I Remember” – Evening Primrose [Sondheim]
“Magic Moment” – The Gay Life
“You Don’t Know” – Here’s Love
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
“Stay” – Do I Hear a Waltz? [Sondheim lyrics]
“Take the Moment” – Do I Hear a Waltz? [Sondheim lyrics]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Anyone Can Whistle:
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “I Want You to Meet Harvey➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “My Favorite Name➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “Well Done, Junior Disaster Committee!➝” from Cry-Baby (Baldwin)
• “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!
Anyone Can Whistle Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Anyone Can Whistle, 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:
“Me and My Town” – Cora, Ensemble
“Miracle Song” – Cora, Ensemble
“There Won’t Be Trumpets” – Fay
“Simple” – Hapgood, Company
Act 2:
“A-1 March” – Company
“Come Play Wiz Me” – Fay, Hapgood, Ensemble
“Anyone Can Whistle” – Fay
“A Parade In Town” – Cora
“Everybody Says Don’t” – Hapgood
Act 3:
“I’ve Got You to Lean On” – Cora, Ensemble
“See What It Gets You” – Fay
“Anyone Can Whistle (Reprise)” – Fay
“The Cookie Chase” – Company
“With So Little to Be Sure Of” – Fay, Hapgood
Which of these audition songs for Anyone Can Whistle 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.