The Best Audition Songs for Chicago – By Character
When considering audition songs for Chicago, it’s fitting to choose a song in the style of the Jazz Age 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 Chicago is set in the 1920s, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals set around that same era. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
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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 Kander and Ebb, 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 Chicago.
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 Chicago
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
Amos Hart
“I Miss the Music” – Curtains
“I Waltz Alone” – Grand Hotel
“If I Have to Live Alone” – The Baker’s Wife
“Joe” – Working
“Marry Me” – The Rink
Billy Flynn
“Beautiful Girls” – Follies
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“Second Chance” – Steel Pier
“You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” – Annie
Mary Sunshine
“Nelson” – A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
“One More Kiss” – Follies
“Repent” – On the Twentieth Century
“The Tale of the Oyster” – Fifty Million Frenchmen
Matron “Mama” Morton
“It’s a Business” – Curtains
“Only in New York” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
“That’s Rich” – Newsies
“They Don’t Know” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
Roxie Hart
“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“Don’t Tell Mama” – Cabaret
“Look What Happened to Mabel” – Mack & Mabel
“Maybe This Time” – Cabaret
Velma Kelly
“Cabaret” – Cabaret
“City Lights” – The Act
“Nobody Does It Like Me” – Seesaw
“Wherever He Ain’t” – Mack & Mabel
❓ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or something even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“An Old-Fashioned Love Story” – The Wild Party
“As We Stumble Along” – The Drowsy Chaperone
“Mein Herr” – Cabaret
Ensemble (Baritones)
“If You Could See Her” – Cabaret
“She’s a Woman” – Kiss of the Spider Woman
“Why Should I Wake Up?” – Cabaret
Ensemble (Basses)
“I Wanna Make the World Laugh” – Mack & Mabel
“Movies Were Movies” – Mack & Mabel
“See You in the Funny Papers” – Woman of the Year
Ensemble (Contras)
“Broadway Baby” – Follies
“I Want to Go to Hollywood” – Grand Hotel
“What You Need” – Grand Hotel
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Look At Me Now” – The Wild Party
“Shimmy Like They Do in Paree” – Death Takes a Holiday
“The Oldest Profession” – The Life
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Don’t Care Much” – Cabaret
“I Won’t Send Roses” – Mack & Mabel
“What Do I Need With Love?” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Chicago:
• “Cheater and a Drunk” from 4000 Miles
• “Free Women” from Full Moon
• “Give Me Twenty Years” from On Trial
• “Inferiority Complex” from The Glass Menagerie
• “The Illusion of Autonomy” from Race
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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Chicago Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Chicago, 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:
“All That Jazz” – Velma, Ensemble
“Funny Honey” – Roxie, Amos
“Cell Block Tango” – Velma, Ensemble
“When You’re Good to Mama” – Matron “Mama” Morton
“All I Care About” – Billy, Ensemble
“A Little Bit of Good” – Mary Sunshine
“We Both Reached for the Gun” – Billy, Mary, Roxie, Ensemble
“Roxie” – Roxie, Ensemble
“I Can’t Do It Alone” – Velma
“My Own Best Friend” – Roxie, Velma
Act 2:
“I Know a Girl” – Velma, Roxie, Ensemble
“Me and My Baby” – Roxie, Billy, Mary Sunshine, Amos, Mama Morton, Ensemble
“Mister Cellophane” – Amos
“When Velma Takes the Stand” – Velma, Billy, Ensemble
“Razzle Dazzle” – Billy, Ensemble
“Class” – Velma, Mama Morton
“Nowadays” – Velma, Roxie
“Finale” / “All That Jazz (Reprise)” – Velma, Roxie, 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.
