The Best Audition Songs for Chess – By Character

If you’re looking for audition songs for Chess, it’s best to choose an epic or dramatic song from musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song 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 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 upbeat, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your casting call.

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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 Chess.

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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. And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.

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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

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Anatoly Sergievsky

“Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” – Les Misérables

“Gethsemane” – Jesus Christ Superstar

“Love Changes Everything” – Aspects of Love

“Sunset Boulevard” – Sunset Boulevard

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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

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Frederick Trumper (Freddie)

“Alas for You” – Godspell

“One Song Glory” – Rent

“Radames’ Letter” – Aida

“Your Eyes” – Rent

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“In Every Age” – Titanic

“This Is the Moment” – Jekyll & Hyde

“Words He Doesn’t Say” – Romance/Romance

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Ensemble (Basses)

“Funny” – City of Angels

“She Is a Diamond” – Evita

“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

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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

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Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!

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Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

“Another Suitcase in Another Hall” – Evita

“Pink” – War Paint

“When Will Someone Hear?” – Martin Guerre

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Ensemble (Sopranos)

“Believe” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

“I’m Leaving You” – The Life

“No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Heaven on Their Minds” – Jesus Christ Superstar

“On This Night of A Thousand Stars” – Evita

“Why God Why?” – Miss Saigon

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Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Chess:

• “I Can’t Trust Anything➝” from Watson Intelligence  (Eliza)

• “It’s Best➝” from Elsewhere➝

• “It’s Never One Thing➝” from Shows for Days  (Irene)

• “Some People Get Locked Up➝” from Pretty Theft➝  (Joe)

• “Wormhole➝” from Ohio  (Zach)

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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!

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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! 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.

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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

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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

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Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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Which of these audition songs for Chess 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.

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