The Best Audition Songs for Chess – By Character
When considering audition songs for Chess, it’s fitting to choose a dramatic song 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 Chess premiered in 1984, 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 upbeat, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your 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 Chess.
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 Chess
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Alexander/Ivan Molokov
“Bolero de Amor” – Copacabana
“Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc.” – Ragtime
“Falcon in the Dive” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“The Contest” – Sweeney Todd
Anatoly Sergievsky
“Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” – Les Misérables
“Gethsemane” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“Love Changes Everything” – Aspects of Love
“Sunset Boulevard” – Sunset Boulevard
Florence Vassy
“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“I Guess I’ll Miss the Man” – Pippin
“Now That I’ve Seen Her” – Miss Saigon
“Maybe” – Miss Saigon
Frederick Trumper (Freddie)
“Alas for You” – Godspell
“One Song Glory” – Rent
“Radames’ Letter” – Aida
“Your Eyes” – Rent
Svetlana Sergievsky
“A New Life” – Jekyll & Hyde
“Anything But Lonely” – Aspects of Love
“As If We Never Said Goodbye” – Sunset Boulevard
“Someone Like You” – Jekyll & Hyde
The Arbiter
“If You Want to Die in Bed” – Miss Saigon
“I’m Martin Guerre” – Martin Guerre
“Live With Somebody You Love” – Martin Guerre
“The American Dream” – Miss Saigon
Walter de Courcey
“No One Has Ever Loved Me” – Passion
“Pilate’s Dream” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“She Was There” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“Stars” – Les Misérables
🎭 Do you know your casting type? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“How Did I End Up Here?” – Romance/Romance
“Take That Look Off Your Face” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“With One Look” – Sunset Boulevard
Ensemble (Baritones)
“In Every Age” – Titanic
“This Is the Moment” – Jekyll & Hyde
“Words He Doesn’t Say” – Romance/Romance
Ensemble (Basses)
“Funny” – City of Angels
“She Is a Diamond” – Evita
“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
Ensemble (Contras)
“Nothing Like You’ve Ever Known” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“Tell Me It’s Not True” – Blood Brothers
“You Must Love Me” – Evita
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Another Suitcase in Another Hall” – Evita
“Pink” – War Paint
“When Will Someone Hear?” – Martin Guerre
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I’m Leaving You” – The Life
“No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde
“Please Don’t Make Me Love You” – Dracula
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Heaven on Their Minds” – Jesus Christ Superstar
“On This Night of A Thousand Stars” – Evita
“Why God Why?” – Miss Saigon
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Chess:
• “Anything But Fine” from Red
• “Dinosaur Talking” from Red
• “Insularity of Passion” from The Real Thing
• “The Illusion of Autonomy” from Race
• “What Do You See?” from Red
Step 5: Audition Prep
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.
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Chess Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Chess, 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:
“The Story of Chess” – The Arbiter, Ensemble
“Merano” / “What a Scene! What a Joy!” – Mayor, Freddie, Florence, Ensemble
“Commie Newspapers” – Freddie, Florence
“Press Conference” – Freddie, Florence, Ensemble
“Molokov and Anatoly” – Anatoly, Molokov
“Where I Want to Be” – Anatoly
“Difficult and Dangerous Times” – Molokov, Florence, Ensemble
“The Arbiter” – The Arbiter, Ensemble
“Hymn to Chess” – The Arbiter, Ensemble
“The Merchandisers” – Ensemble
“The Arbiter (Reprise)” – The Arbiter, Ensemble
“Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)” – Molokov, Florence, The Arbiter, Anatoly
“Florence and Molokov” – Molokov, Florence
“1956 – Budapest is Rising” – Florence, Freddie, Ensemble
“Nobody’s Side” – Florence, Ensemble
“Mountain Duet” – Florence, Anatoly
“Florence Quits” – Freddie, Florence
“Pity the Child #1” – Freddie
“Embassy Lament” – Ensemble
“Heaven Help My Heart” – Florence
“Anatoly and the Press” – Anatoly, Walter, Ensemble
“Anthem” – Anatoly
Act 2:
“One Night in Bangkok” – Freddie, Ensemble
“One More Opponent” – Anatoly, Florence
“You and I” – Anatoly, Florence
“The Soviet Machine” – Molokov, Ensemble
“The Interview” – Walter, Freddie, Anatoly
“Someone Else’s Story” – Svetlana
“The Deal (No Deal)” – The Arbiter, Molokov, Svetlana, Walter, Florence, Freddie, Anatoly, Ensemble
“Pity the Child #2” – Freddie
“I Know Him So Well” – Florence, Svetlana
“Talking Chess” – Freddie, Anatoly
“Endgame #1” – The Arbiter, Frederick, Ensemble
“Endgame #2” – Molokov, Freddie, Florence, Ensemble
“Endgame #3” / “Chess Game #3” – Anatoly, Svetlana, Florence
“You and I (Reprise)” – Florence, Anatoly
“Walter and Florence” – Walter, Florence
“Anthem (Reprise)” / “Finale” – Walter, Florence, Anatoly, Svetlana, 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.
