The Best Audition Songs for Anything Goes – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Anything Goes? 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 Anything Goes, broken down by character.
Since Anything Goes came out in the 1930s, the suggested pieces below either come from 1920s/1930s musicals or musicals that are set in the 1920s/1930s.
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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 listen to the Anything Goes 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 (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.
Billy Crocker
“Broadway Baby” – Dames at Sea
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“Starting at the Bottom” – Fine and Dandy
“You’ve Got That Thing” – Fifty Million Frenchmen
Elisha Whitney
“Cheek to Cheek” – Top Hat
“Days Gone By” – She Loves Me
“Sunny Side Up” – Good News!
“Treat Me Rough” – Girl Crazy
Erma
“Boy! What Love Has Done to Me” – Girl Crazy
“Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“That Mister Man of Mine” – Dames at Sea
“The Physician” – The New Yorkers
Hope Harcourt
“A Little Bit in Love” – Wonderful Town
“But Not For Me” – Girl Crazy
“Delishious” – Nice Work If You Can Get It
“Someone to Watch Over Me” – Crazy for You
Lord Evelyn Oakleigh
“A Kiss for Cinderella” – Of Thee I Sing
“Blah, Blah, Blah” – Nice Work If You Can Get It
“Isn’t This a Lovely Day” – Top Hat
“Leaning on a Lamp Post” – Me and My Girl
Moonface Martin
“Beautiful Girl” – Singin’ in the Rain
“Moses Supposes” – Singin’ in the Rain
“There’s Nowhere to Go But Up” – Knickerbocker Holiday
“When I Grow Up (The G-Man Song)” – Pins and Needles
Reno Sweeney
“Forty-Second Street” – 42nd Street
“Johnny One-Note” – Babes in Arms
“Take It on the Chin” – Me and My Girl
“You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me” – 42nd Street
Ensemble (Altos)
“Can This Be Love?” – Fine and Dandy
“My Funny Valentine” – Babes in Arms
“You’re Easy to Dance With” – Top Hat
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Second Chance” – Steel Pier
“The Call of the Sea” – No, No, Nanette
“What Do I Care for a Dame?” – Pal Joey
Ensemble (Basses)
“Oh, Lady Be Good!” – Lady, Be Good!
“Sunday in the Park” – Pins and Needles
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” – Crazy for You
Ensemble (Contras)
“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” – White Christmas
“The Lady is a Tramp” – Babes in Arms
“Willing to Ride” – Steel Pier
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Nobody Makes a Pass at Me” – Pins and Needles
“Once You Lose Your Heart” – Me and My Girl
“Wall Street” – Dames at Sea
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Just Imagine” – Good News!
“Most Gentlemen Don’t Like Love” – The New Yorkers
“The Tale of the Oyster” – Fifty Million Frenchmen
Ensemble (Tenors)
“A New Love is Old” – The Cat in the Fiddle
“All I Need is the Girl” – Gypsy
“Little Jazz Bird” – Lady, Be Good!
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Anything Goes:
• “In a Minute” from The Anniversary➝ (Tatiana)
• “The Ideal Man!” from A Woman of No Importance➝ (Mrs. Allonby)
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
• “You’re Quite a Girl➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
• “You’ve Got to Come Back a Star➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
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!
Anything Goes Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Anything Goes, 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:
“I Get a Kick Out of You” – Reno Sweeney
“There’s No Cure Like Travel / Bon Voyage” – Captain, Ensemble
“You’re the Top” – Reno, Billy Crocker
“Easy to Love” – Billy
“Easy to Love (Reprise)” – Hope
“The Crew Song” – Elisha J. Whitney
“There’ll Always Be a Lady Fair” – Ensemble
“Friendship” – Reno, Moonface Martin
“It’s De-Lovely” – Billy, Hope
“Anything Goes” – Reno, Company
Act 2:
“Public Enemy Number One” – Captain, Purser, Ensemble
“Blow, Gabriel, Blow” – Reno, Company
“Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye” – Hope
“Be Like the Bluebird” – Moonface Martin
“All Through the Night” – Billy, Hope, Ensemble
“The Gypsy in Me” – Evelyn
“Buddie, Beware” – Erma, Ensemble
“Finale / It’s De-lovely” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Anything Goes 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.