The Best Audition Songs for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Do you have an upcoming audition for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical? 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 Beautiful, broken down by character.
Since Beautiful is a contemporary jukebox musical, most of the following songs are from the 1960s and 1970s. In addition, there are a few 60s/70s-vibe musical theatre songs included 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 listen to the Beautiful 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.
Barry Mann
“Bennie and the Jets” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
“Ladies’ Choice” – Hairspray
“Radio” – Memphis
Carole King
“Dear Tom” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“Goin’ Back” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“Lonely Lady” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“Strong Woman Number” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
Cynthia Weil
“I Say a Little Prayer” – Dionne Warwick/Promises, Promises
“Knowing When to Leave” – Promises, Promises
“Whoever You Are, I Love You” – Promises, Promises
“I Only Want to Be With You” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
Gerry Goffin
“Baby Don’t Go” – The Cher Show/Sonny & Cher
“Dance With Me” – Orleans [1970s/non-theatre]
“Into the Mystic” – Van Morrison [1970s/non-theatre]
“Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Dancing in the Street” – Martha and the Vandellas [1960s/non-theatre]
“Miss America” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“Old Friend” – I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” – Looking Glass [1970s/non-theatre]
“Lean on Me” – Bill Withers [1970s/non-theatre]
“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“Always on My Mind” – Elvis [1970s/non-theatre]
“Wanting Things” – Promises Promises
“Your Song” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“Crocodile Rock” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
“I Wish It Would Rain” – Ain’t Too Proud
“The Way You Do The Things You Do” – Ain’t Too Proud
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Happy Birthday” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“Last Dance” – Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
“Put in a Package and Sold” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Am I the Same Girl?” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“Band of Gold” – Freda Payne [1970s/non-theatre]
“Brand New Key” – Melanie [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Mellow” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
“The Stranger” – Movin’ Out
“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder [1970s/non-theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Beautiful:
• “Album” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “Hear That Song?➝” from Ohio (Cat)
• “It’s Never One Thing➝” from Shows for Days (Irene)
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
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!
Beautiful Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Beautiful, 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:
“So Far Away” – Carole King
“1650 Broadway Medley” – Ensemble
“It Might as Well Rain Until September” – Carole
“Some Kind of Wonderful” – Carole, Gerry, Ensemble
“Happy Days Are Here Again” – Cynthia
“Take Good Care of My Baby” – Gerry, Carol
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” – Carole
“He’s Sure the Boy I Love” – Cynthia, Barry
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” – Ensemble
“Up on the Roof” – Gerry, Ensemble
“On Broadway” – Ensemble
“The Locomotion” – Little Eva, Ensemble
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” – Barry, Ensemble
“One Fine Day” – Janelle, Carole, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Chains” – Carole, Ensemble
“Walking in the Rain” – Barry, Cynthia
“Pleasant Valley Sunday” – Marilyn Wald, Gerry, Ensemble
“We Gotta Get Out of This Place” – Barry
“Uptown” – “Uptown” Singer, Ensemble
“It’s Too Late” – Carole, Ensemble
“You’ve Got a Friend” – Carole, Barry, Cynthia, Don
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” – Carole, Ensemble
“Beautiful” – Carole, Company
“I Feel the Earth Move” – Carole, Company
Which of these audition songs for Beautiful 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.