The Best Audition Songs for Barnum – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Barnum? 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 Barnum, broken down by character.
Since Barnum is a pre-contemporary musical, most of the following songs are from the 1970s-1990s as well. In addition there are lots of timeless and playful vibes below 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 listen to the Barnum 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.
Charity Barnum
“Dancing All the Time” – Big
“I Belong Here” –The Grand Tour
“The Story Goes On” – Baby
“Unexpected Song” – Tell Me on a Sunday
Jenny Lind
“Melodie de Paris” – Phantom
“Nelson” – A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
“My True Love” – Phantom
“One More Kiss” – Follies
Joice Heth
“Cleanin’ Women” – Working
“Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” – The Wiz
“I Got Love” – Purlie
“Twenty-Four Hours of Lovin’” – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Phineas Taylor Barnum
“Buddy’s Blues” – Follies
“Hand for the Hog” – Big River [in your natural accent]
“Sennett Song” – Chaplin
“Yankee Boy” – Rags
Tom Thumb
“Big News!” – Parade
“I, Huckleberry, Me” – Big River
“I Can Do That” – A Chorus Line
“Pretty Music” – Parade
Ensemble (Altos)
“I Wrote the Book” – Woman of the Year
“No Man Is Worth It” – Dance a Little Closer
“We Can Make It” – The Rink
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Beautiful Girls” – Follies
“Look Over There” – La Cage aux Folles
“Razzle Dazzle” – Chicago
Ensemble (Basses)
“Lucky” – Lucky Stiff
“Marry Me” – The Rink
“Masculinity” – La Cage aux Folles
Ensemble (Contras)
“Chanson” – The Baker’s Wife
“Meadowlark” – The Baker’s Wife
“Willing to Ride” – Steel Pier
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Colored Lights” – The Rink
“It’s an Art” – Working
“Look What Happened to Mabel” – Mack & Mabel
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Larger Than Life” – My Favorite Year
“My Daddy Always Taught Me to Share” – Grind
“Proud Lady” – The Baker’s Wife
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Barnum:
• “How Strange Everything Is➝” from The Three Sisters➝ (Vershinin)
• “I Don’t Want to Be an Actress➝” from Snakebit (Jenifer)
• “I Must Say” from The Importance of Being Earnest➝ (Lady Bracknell)
• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry➝ (Oldbutton)
• “Sherlock Holmes & the … Elusive Ear” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
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!
Barnum Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Barnum, 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:
“There Is a Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute” – Barnum
“Thank God I’m Old” – Joice Heth, Ensemble
“The Colors of My Life (Part 1)” – Barnum
“The Colors of My Life (Part 2)” – Charity
“One Brick at a Time” – Charity, Barnum, Ensemble
“Museum Song” – Barnum
“I Like Your Style” – Barnum, Charity
“Bigger Isn’t Better” – Tom Thumb
“Love Makes Such Fools of Us All” – Jenny Lind
“Out There” – Barnum, Charity
Act 2:
“Come Follow the Band” – Ensemble
“Black and White” – Charity, Barnum, Ensemble
“The Colors of My Life (Reprise)” – Barnum, Charity
“The Prince of Humbug” – Barnum
“Join the Circus” – Barnum, Company
Which of these audition songs for Barnum 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.