The Best Audition Songs for Carousel – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Carousel? 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 Carousel, broken down by character.
Since Carousel is a golden age musical, most of the following songs are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there is a classic/timeless 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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “Carousel Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 of Carousel➝ while listening to the Carousel 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 (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 Bigelow
“Fanny” – Fanny
“If I Knew” – The Unsinkable Molly Brown
“Lonely Room” – Oklahoma!
“There Never Was a Woman” – Goldilocks
Carrie Pipperidge
“A Little Bit in Love” – Wonderful Town
“Many a New Day” – Oklahoma!
“No Other Love” – Me and Juliet
“So Far” – Allegro
Enoch Snow
“Restless Heart” – Fanny
“The Man I Used to Be” – Pipe Dream
“This Nearly Was Mine” – South Pacific
“You Are Never Away” – Allegro
Julie Jordan
“Goodnight My Someone” – The Music Man
“My White Knight” – The Music Man
“So in Love” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Something Wonderful” – The King and I
Nettie Fowler
“Come Home” – Allegro
“Cry Like the Wind” – Do Re Mi
“Ribbons Down My Back” – Hello, Dolly!
“There’s Music in You” – Cinderella
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Wonderful Guy” – South Pacific
“Hello, Young Lovers” – The King and I
“The Gentleman is a Dope” – Allegro
Ensemble (Baritones)
“It Only Takes a Moment” – Hello, Dolly!
“We Kiss in a Shadow” – The King and I
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Fellow Needs a Girl” – Allegro
“On the Street Where You Live” – My Fair Lady
“Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific
Ensemble (Contras)
“Bali Hai” – South Pacific
“Lazy Afternoon” – The Golden Apple
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Nothing More to Say” – Holiday Inn
“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream
“The Next Time it Happens” – Pipe Dream
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“That’s Him” – One Touch of Venus
“Till There Was You” – The Music Man
“What Good Would the Moon Be?” – Street Scene
Ensemble (Tenors)
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
“Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Carousel:
• “Blue Stockings” in Contemporary Monologues for Teenagers: Female➝
• “How Can You Say That?➝” from Wild Honey (Anna)
• “How Strange Everything Is➝” from The Three Sisters➝ (Vershinin)
• “The Man I Could Bind Myself To➝” from A Doll’s House➝ (Nora)
• “Tommy Has Proposed” from An Ideal Husband➝ (Mabel)
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!
Carousel Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Carousel, 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:
“Mister Snow” – Carrie, Julie
“If I Loved You” – Billy Bigelow, Julie
“June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” – Nettie Fowler, Ensemble
“Mister Snow (Reprise)” – Carrie, Enoch Snow, Ensemble
“When the Children Are Asleep” – Enoch, Carrie
“Blow High, Blow Low” – Jigger Craigin, Billy, Ensemble
“Soliloquy” – Billy
Act 2:
“This Was a Real Nice Clambake” – Carrie, Nettie, Julie, Enoch, Ensemble
“Geraniums in the Winder” – Enoch
“There’s Nothin’ So Bad for a Woman” – Jigger, Ensemble
“What’s the Use of Wond’rin’?” – Julie
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Nettie
“The Highest Judge of All” – Billy
“If I Loved You (Reprise)” – Billy
“You’ll Never Walk Alone (Reprise)” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Carousel 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.