The Best Audition Songs for Cabaret – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Cabaret? 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 Cabaret, broken down by character.
Cabaret is a post-golden age musical that’s set in the 1930s. Because of that, most of the below songs are from 1960s/1970s musicals as well. In addition, there’s a 1930s vibe to many of the following 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 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 read through the synopsis or libretto for Cabaret➝ while listening to the Cabaret 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, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
Clifford Bradshaw
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“I Don’t Remember You” – The Happy Time
“I Won’t Send Roses” – Mack & Mabel
“It Only Takes a Moment” – Hello, Dolly!
Fräulein Kost
“Gooch’s Song” – Mame
“I’ve Got What You Want” – The Apple Tree
“Nobody Tells Me How” – Working
“Say Yes” – 70, Girls, 70
Fräulein Schneider
“If He Walked Into My Life” – Mame
“Liaisons” – A Little Night Music
“No Time At All” – Pippin
“What Is a Woman?” – I Do! I Do!
Herr Schultz
“Among My Yesterdays” – The Happy Time
“Days Gone By” – She Loves Me
“I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore” – Gigi
“Real Live Girl” – Little Me
Sally Bowles
“Funny Honey” – Chicago
“If My Friends Could See Me Now” – Sweet Charity
“Nightlife” – All American
“Nobody Does It Like Me” – Seesaw
The Emcee
“I Am What I Am” – La Cage aux Folles
“I’ll Be Here Tomorrow” – The Grand Tour
“La Cage aux Folles” – La Cage aux Folles
“Razzle Dazzle” – Chicago
Ensemble (Altos)
“Broadway Baby” – Follies
“Time Heals Everything” – Mack & Mabel
“Wherever He Ain’t” – Mack & Mabel
Ensemble (Baritones)
“I Promise You a Happy Ending” – Mack & Mabel
“Marianne” – The Grand Tour
“Mister Cellophane” – Chicago
Ensemble (Basses)
“If I Have to Live Alone” – The Baker’s Wife
“If I Ruled the World” – Pickwick
“I Waltz Alone” – Grand Hotel
Ensemble (Contras)
“Dimples” – Little Me
“Go Home, Train!” – Fade Out – Fade In
“Willing to Ride” – Steel Pier
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Look What Happened to Mabel” – Mack & Mabel
“Sing Happy” – Flora, the Red Menace
“Spread a Little Sunshine” – Pippin
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“A Little Bit of Good” – Chicago
“I Remember” – Evening Primrose
“Repent” – On the Twentieth Century
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Will Follow You” – Milk and Honey
“The Only Home I Know” – Shenandoah
“Too Many Tomorrows” – Sweet Charity
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Cabaret:
• “Al Capone and Me” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “In a Minute” from The Anniversary➝ (Tatiana)
• “Marriage” from Sweet and Twenty➝ (The Agent)
• “Nothing But Misfortune” from Poor John➝ (John)
• “What Truth?” from The Cherry Orchard➝
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!
Cabaret Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Cabaret, 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:
“Willkommen” – Emcee, Sally, Ensemble
“So What?” – Fräulein Schneider
“Telephone Song” – Cliff, Ensemble
“Don’t Tell Mama” – Sally, Emcee, Ensemble
“Mein Herr” – Sally, Emcee, Ensemble
“Perfectly Marvelous” – Sally, Cliff
“Two Ladies” – Emcee, Ensemble
“It Couldn’t Please Me More (A Pineapple)” – Fräulein Schneider, Herr Schultz
“Tomorrow Belongs to Me” – Ensemble, Emcee
“Why Should I Wake Up?” – Cliff
“Maybe This Time” – Sally
“Money” – Emcee, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Married” – Herr Schultz, Fräulein Schneider
“Meeskite” – Herr Schultz
“Tomorrow Belongs to Me (Reprise)” – Fräulein Kost, Ernst Ludwig, Ensemble
“Married (Reprise)” – Herr Schultz
“If You Could See Her” – Emcee
“What Would You Do?” – Fräulein Schneider
“I Don’t Care Much” – Emcee
“Cabaret” – Sally
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Cabaret 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.