The Best Audition Songs for Cats – By Character
When considering audition songs for Cats, it’s fitting to choose a song in the style of Andrew Lloyd Webber from musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because Cats premiered in 1981, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1970s and 1990s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
Step 1: Review Audition Info
Please read your audition details carefully, as they sometimes specify the type of song they’d like to hear (a ballad, something by Andrew Lloyd Webber, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
Step 2: Study the Show
Before auditioning, you should get familiar with the show, and listening to the cast album is a great way to do that. Here’s where you can learn more about Cats.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for Cats
✨Need more options? The list below gives you a great starting point! The Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio gives you access to thousands of songs, hundreds of monologues, and tools to help you find your casting lane! Explore the Repertoire Studio →
Asparagus
“Anthem” – Chess
“Never the Luck” – The Mystery of Edwin Drood
“The Colors of My Life” – Barnum
“Unsettled Scores” – Whistle Down the Wind
Bustopher Jones
“Grand Parade” – Grand Hotel
“Live With Somebody You Love” – Martin Guerre
“The Music of the Night” – The Phantom of the Opera
“You Can Get Away With Anything” – The Woman in White
Grizabella
“Nothing Like You’ve Ever Known” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“Tell Me It’s Not True” – Blood Brothers
“Unexpected Song” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“With One Look” – Sunset Boulevard
Jellylorum
“Anything But Lonely” – Aspects of Love
“Take That Look Off Your Face” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“The Last Man in My Life” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“There Is More to Love” – Aspects of Love
Munkustrap
“I’d Rather Be Sailing” – A New Brain
“If I Have to Live Alone” – The Baker’s Wife
“Love Changes Everything” – Aspects of Love
“The Hardest Part of Love” – Children of Eden
Old Deuteronomy
“A Bit of Earth” – The Secret Garden
“A World Without You” – Children of Eden
“Bring Him Home” – Les Misérables
“No Moon” – Titanic
Rum Tum Tugger
“And the Money Kept Rolling In” – Evita (in your natural accent)
“Any Dream Will Do” – Joseph
“King Herod’s Song” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“We Beseech Thee” – Godspell
🎭 Are you never quite sure which roles to audition for? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Make Up My Heart” – Starlight Express
“Stranger to the Rain” – Children of Eden
“Tell Me on a Sunday” – Tell Me on a Sunday
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Only With You” – Nine
“Starlight Express” – Starlight Express
“Words He Doesn’t Say” – Romance/Romance
Ensemble (Basses)
“Does the Moment Ever Come?” – Just So
“Other Pleasures” – Aspects of Love
“There’s Always One You Can’t Forget” – Dance a Little Closer
Ensemble (Contras)
“As If We Never Said Goodbye” – Sunset Boulevard
“Magic to Do” – Pippin
“You Must Love Me” – Evita
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Simple” – Nine
“The Night It Had to End” – Romance/Romance
“Unusual Way” – Nine
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“How Could I Ever Know?” – The Secret Garden
“Love Makes Such Fools of Us All” – Barnum
“Moonfall” – The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Lost in the Wilderness” – Children of Eden
“Pity the Child” – Chess
“There’s Me” – Starlight Express
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Cats:
• “The Great Squid” from The Muckle Man
• “The Luxury” from The Blue Bird
• “The Soul of Sugar” from The Blue Bird
• “Time Presses” from The Blue Bird
• “Three Quarter Moon” from The Old Man and the Old Moon
Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free resources on Patreon→
Cats Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Cats, 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! This 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:
“Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats” – Company
“The Naming of Cats” – Company
“The Old Gumbie Cat” – Munkustrap, Demeter, Bombalurina, Jellylorum, Jennyanydots, Ensemble
“The Rum Tum Tugger” – Rum Tum Tugger, Mistoffolees, Bombalurina, Company
“Grizabella: The Glamour Cat” – Grizabella, Demeter, Bombalurina
“Bustopher Jones” – Bustopher, Jennyanydots, Bombalurina, Jellylorum, Ensemble
“Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer” – Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer
“Old Deuteronomy” – Deuteronomy, Tugger, Munkustrap, Tantomile, Coricopat, Company
“The Jellicle Ball” – Company
“Grizabella: The Glamour Cat (Reprise)” – Grizabella
Act 2:
“The Moments of Happiness” – Deuteronomy, Jemima, Company
“Gus: The Theatre Cat” – Asparagus, Jellylorum
“The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles” – Munkustrap, Rumpleteazer, Mungojerrie, Deuteronomy, Company
“Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat” – Deuteronomy, Rumpleteazer, Skimbleshanks, Jellylorum, Company
“Macavity: The Mystery Cat” – Demeter, Bombalurina, Ensemble
“Mr. Mistoffelees” – Rum Tum Tugger, Company
“Memory” – Grizabella, Jemima
“The Journey to the Heaviside Layer” – Company
“The Ad-Dressing of Cats” / “Finale” – Deuteronomy, Company
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
