The Best Audition Songs for Cry-Baby – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Cry-Baby? Well unless you have specifically been asked to sing a song from the show that you’re auditioning for, it’s generally best not to. That said, you should still show off similar vocals and personality. So here’s our list of audition songs for Cry-Baby, broken down by character.
Since Cry-Baby is set in the 1950s, the following songs are from shows set between the 1950s – 1960s. There are also lots of pop/rock selections below to match the musical’s style.
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Step 1: Read your audition details
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 gathered your materials and studied the show, it’s time to start preparing. Need help? Here’s a FREE audition prep checklist to stay organized for future auditions!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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” – Mrs. Vernon-Williams, 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)” – Mrs. Vernon-Williams
“All in My Head” – Baldwin, Lenora, Ensemble
“Jailyard Jubilee” – Dupree, Ensemble
“A Little Upset” – Cry-Baby, Dupree, Ensemble
“I Did Something Wrong, Once” – Mrs. Vernon-Williams
“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
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.
Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!
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.