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.


Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.


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 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!

DIY Rep Book Page Ad.


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!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.


Stacy Karyn, author of Audition Songs for Carousel.
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.


 

Leave a Reply

Skip to content