Musical-Specific Audition Songs

The Best Audition Songs for Cry-Baby – By Character

If you’re looking for audition songs for Cry-Baby, it’s best to choose a pop/rock song either from musical theatre or non-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 Cry-Baby is set in the 1950s, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals that are set around that same era. 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 uptempo, 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 more about Cry-Baby.


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.


Allison Vernon-Williams

All I Need Is an Angel” – Grease Live!

Fools Fall in Love” – All Shook Up

Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Grease

Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise)” – Grease


Baldwin Blandish

Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” – Jersey Boys

Fallen Angel” – Jersey Boys

Mooning” – Grease

Rhythm of the Rain” – The Cascades [1960s/non-theatre]


Dupree W. Dupree

Greased Lightnin’” – Grease

Jailhouse Rock” – All Shook Up

Pills” – Bo Diddley [1950s/non-theatre]

Serve Yourself” – Pump Boys and Dinettes


Lenora Frigid

Easy to Say” – Zombie Prom

Freddy My Love” – Grease

It’s Raining on Prom Night” – Grease

One Night With You” – All Shook Up


Mrs. Cordelia Vernon-Williams

I Wrote the Book” – Woman of the Year

It’s a Business” – Curtains

Rookie in the Ring” – My Favorite Year

Teaching Third Grade” – Ruthless!


Wade ‘Cry-Baby’ Walker

Alone at the Drive-In Movie” – Grease

How Can I Say Goodbye?” – Zombie Prom

Maybe (Baby)” – Grease Live!

Sandy” – Grease


Ensemble (Altos)

Be Anything” – Connie Francis [1950s/non-theatre]

There Are Worse Things I Could Do” – Grease

There’s Always Me” – All Shook Up


Ensemble (Baritones)

Little Sister” – Elvis Presley [1960s/non-theatre]

Magic Moments” – Perry Como [1950s/non-theatre]

You’re the Devil in Disguise” – Elvis [1960s/non-theatre]


Ensemble (Basses)

Don’t Be Cruel” – All Shook Up

Heartbeat” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story

True Love Ways” – Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story


Ensemble (Contras)

Judy’s Turn to Cry” – Lesley Gore [1960s/non-theatre]

Radio” – Memphis

Those Magic Changes” – Grease


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


Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)

Ain’t Nothin’ But a Kiss” – Memphis

I’m Ready for Love” – Martha and the Vandellas [1960s/non-theatre]

Someday” – Memphis


Ensemble (Tenors)

Beauty School Dropout” – Grease

I Don’t Want To” – All Shook Up

I’m a Man” – Bo Diddley [1950s/non-theatre]


Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Cry-Baby:

• “Album” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝

• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s  (Estelle)

• “Harvey and I➝” from Harvey➝  (Elwood)

• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny…  (Johnny)

• “Well Done, Junior Disaster Committee!➝” from Cry-Baby  (Baldwin)


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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Cry-Baby Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Cry-Baby, 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.


Act 1:

“The Anti-Polio Picnic” – Cordelia, Allison, Baldwin, Ensemble

“Watch Your Ass” – Pepper, Wanda, Hatchet-Face, Dupree, Cry-Baby, Ensemble

“I’m Infected” – Allison, Cry-Baby, Ensemble

“Squeaky Clean” – Baldwin, Allison, Ensemble

“Nobody Gets Me” – Cry-Baby, Pepper, Wanda, Hatchet-Face, Ensemble

“Nobody Gets Me (Reprise)” – Allison

“Jukebox Jamboree” – Dupree

“A Whole Lot Worse” – Pepper, Wanda, Hatchet-Face

“Screw Loose” – Lenora

“Baby Baby Baby Baby Baby (Baby Baby)” – Cry-Baby, Allison, Ensemble

“Girl, Can I Kiss You With Tongue?” – Cry-Baby, Allison, Ensemble

“I’m Infected (Reprise)” – Allison

“You Can’t Beat the System” – Company


Act 2:

“Misery, Agony, Helplessness…” – Allison, Cry-Baby, Dupree, Pepper, Wanda, Hatchet-Face, Ensemble

“Misery, Agony, Helplessness… (Reprise)” – Cordelia

“All in My Head” – Baldwin, Lenora, Ensemble

“Jailyard Jubilee” – Dupree, Ensemble

“A Little Upset” – Cry-Baby, Dupree, Ensemble

“I Did Something Wrong, Once” – Cordelia

“Thanks for the Nifty Country” – Baldwin, Ensemble

“This Amazing Offer” – Baldwin, Ensemble

“Do That Again” – Cry-Baby

“Nothing Bad’s Ever Gonna Happen Again” – Company


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

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Which of these audition songs for Cry-Baby 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 ListShe holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

Photo of Stacy Karyn

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