The Best Audition Songs for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
If you’re looking for audition songs for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it’s best to choose a character-driven song from contemporary musical repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for specific song guidelines.
Because Charlie and the Chocolate Factory premiered in 2013, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 2000s and 2020s. 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 comedic, 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 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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. When you’re ready, decide which character you’d like to audition for. And finally, choose a suitable song from the list below!
Augustus Gloop
*Bonus if you’re also able to sing in a German accent if asked.
“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” – Spamalot
“Hygge” – Frozen
“Magic Foot” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Charlie Bucket
“Hands” – The Man in the Ceiling
“Home Again” – Captain Louie
“It’s Possible” – Seussical
“We’re All Made of Stars” – Finding Neverland
Grandpa Joe
“Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year” – Catch Me If You Can
“You Can’t Trust a Man” – Tuck Everlasting
“You Two” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
“Welcome to the World” – A Man of No Importance
Grandparents
“Now Is Not the Time” – Mrs Henderson Presents
“The Cuddles Mary Gave” – A Man of No Importance
“What Age Expects of You” – Calendar Girls
“Whatever Time I Have” – Mrs Henderson Presents
Mike Teavee
“All Hail the Brain” – 13
“Get Me What I Need” – 13
“Good Kid” – The Lightning Thief
“If Only You Would Listen” – School of Rock
Mr. Beauregarde
“Big Love” – Memphis
“Gotta Start Somewhere” – Back to the Future
“Patriotic” – Rocky
“Prayer of the Comfort Counselor” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Mr. Salt
*Bonus if you’re also able to sing in a Russian accent if asked.
“Bolero de Amor” – Copacabana
“Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today” – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
“You Can Get Away With Anything” – The Woman in White
Mrs. Bucket
“After All of This and Everything” – Freaky Friday
“Brave Thing” – Fangirls
“He’s My Boy” – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
“Just Like That” – A Christmas Story
Mrs. Gloop
*Bonus if you’re also able to sing in a German accent if asked.
“Loud” – Matilda
“Never Get Married” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Shine” – Billy Elliot
Mrs. Teavee
“Here I Am” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
“Life With Harold” – The Full Monty
“Long Distance” – Caroline, or Change
“Tahiti” – Mr. Saturday Night
Veruca Salt
*Bonus if you’re also able to sing in a Russian accent if asked.
“Cool Kid” – Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
“I Speak Six Languages” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
“Time to Play” – School of Rock
Violet Beauregarde
“Brand New You” – 13
“Independently Owned” – Shucked
“Sparkle and Shine” – Nativity!
“Sticks & Stones” – Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Willy Wonka
“I Am My Own Invention” – Wonderland
“Living in a Dream World” – Mrs Henderson Presents [in your natural accent]
“Wonders of the World” – The Wizard of Oz
“Wonderful” – Wicked
Ensemble (Altos)
“If Mountains Were Easy to Climb” – Mrs Henderson Presents
“The Lady’s Improving” – The Prom
“Zazz” – The Prom
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Don’t Be the Bunny” – Urinetown
“How Lucky You Are” – Seussical
“Nobody Cares About Santa” – Elf
Ensemble (Basses)
“Coffee Shop Nights” – Curtains
“Hushabye Mountain” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
“We Look to You” – The Prom
Ensemble (Contras)
“Gone, Gone, Gone” – Tootsie
“More to the Story” – Shrek
“They Don’t Make Glass Slippers” – Soho Cinders
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Already Home” – The Wizard of Oz
“I’m Alive” – Tootsie
“My Grand Plan” – The Lightning Thief
Ensemble (Tenors)
“The Bottom Line” – Newsies
“Butter Outta Cream” – Catch Me If You Can
“Everything’s Golden” – Tuck Everlasting
Ensemble (Trebles)
“Anything Can Happen” – Mary Poppins
“Counting Down to Christmas” – A Christmas Story
“Red Ryder” – A Christmas Story
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:
• “Ismene” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Moon Man Walk” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Some People Are Bizarre” in Magnificent Monologues for Teens➝
• “Unite” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “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!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 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 I:
“The Candy Man” – Willy Wonka, Ensemble
“Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!” – Charlie Bucket, Ensemble
“Charlie, You and I” – Grandpa Joe, Charlie
“A Letter from Charlie Bucket” – Charlie
“More of Him to Love” – Mrs. Gloop, Augustus, Ensemble
“When Veruca Says” – Mr. Salt, Veruca
“The Queen of Pop” – Violet, Mr. Beauregarde, Ensemble
“That Little Man of Mine” – Mrs. Teavee, Mike
“If Your Father Were Here” – Mrs. Bucket, Grandparents
“I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” – Charlie, Grandpa Joe, Mrs. Bucket, Grandparents
“It Must Be Believed to Be Seen” – Willy Wonka, Ensemble
Act II:
“Strike That, Reverse It” – Willy Wonka, Ensemble
“Pure Imagination” – Willy Wonka, Charlie, Ensemble
“The Oompa Loompa Song / Auf Wiedersehen” – Willy Wonka, Mrs. Gloop, Ensemble
“You Got Whatcha Want” – Willy Wonka, Ensemble
“Veruca’s Nutcracker Sweet” – Mr. Salt, Veruca, Ensemble
“Vidiots” – Willy Wonka, Mrs. Teavee, Ensemble
“That Little Man of Mine (Reprise)” – Mrs. Teavee
“The View from Here” – Willy Wonka, Charlie
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which audition song for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 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.
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 and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
