Audition Songs for Cats – By Character
Last Updated: January, 2026
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 by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.
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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 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 range, decide whether you’d prefer to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Even if you audition for a specific role, stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and comfort level.
The Audition Songs
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
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)
“Believe” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“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:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “I Don’t Want to Be an Actress➝” from Snakebit (Jenifer)
• “Mother Moon➝” from Fading Joy➝ (Joy)
• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry➝ (Oldbutton)
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!
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! 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:
“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
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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.
