The Best Audition Songs for Curtains – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Curtains? 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 Curtains, by character.
Since Curtains is a contemporary musical set in the late 1950s, many of the songs below are also from musicals set in the 50s/60s. In addition, these songs have either a classic or comedic vibe to them to match the style of the show. And in case it’s requested, the Kander and Ebb songs have been marked with a “(K&E)” for your convenience.
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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 comedic, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “Curtains Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
Step 2: Get to know the show
In casting calls, they often ask for you to be “familiar with the show”. And even if it’s not requested, it’s generally assumed. One way to do this is to listen to the Curtains cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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.
Aaron Foxx
“I Cannot Hear the City” – Sweet Smell of Success
“Christmas is My Favorite Time of Year” – Catch Me If You Can
“Good Thing Going” – Merrily We Roll Along
“Not a Day Goes By” – Merrily We Roll Along
Carmen Bernstein
“Broadway Baby” – Follies
“I Wrote the Book” – Woman of the Year (K&E)
“Rookie in the Ring” – My Favorite Year
“When You’re Good to Mama” – Chicago (K&E)
Georgia Hendricks
“Funny Honey” – Chicago (K&E)
“Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” – White Christmas
“Maybe This Time” – Cabaret (K&E)
“Somebody Older” – Steel Pier (K&E)
Lieutenant Frank Cioffi
“If the World Were Like the Movies” – My Favorite Year
“Love Who You Love” – A Man of No Importance
“One of the Great Ones” – A Bronx Tale
“Welcome to the World” – A Man of No Importance
Niki Harris
“A Little Bit in Love” – Wonderful Town
“Daddy’s Girl” – Grey Gardens
“There Is More to Love” – Aspects of Love
“Will You?” – Grey Gardens
Ensemble (Altos)
“Only One” – Elegies: A Song Cycle
“The Face I See” – Marguerite
“We Can Make It” – The Rink (K&E)
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Don’t Break the Rules” – Catch Me If You Can
“I Don’t Remember You” – And the World Goes Round (K&E)
“Mister Cellophane” – Chicago (K&E)
Ensemble (Basses)
“Marry Me” – The Rink (K&E)
“Sometimes a Day Goes By” – Woman of the Year (K&E)
“The Man Inside the Clues” – Catch Me If You Can
Ensemble (Contras)
“All Falls Down” – Chaplin
“Love and Love Alone” – The Visit (K&E)
“Willing to Ride” – Steel Pier (K&E)
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Anything But Lonely” – Aspects of Love
“Colored Lights” – The Rink (K&E)
“Funny” – My Favorite Year
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Tuesdays, Thursdays” – Far from Heaven
“Simple” – Nine
“What Only Love Can See” – Chaplin
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Never Knew” – Far from Heaven
“Larger Than Life” – My Favorite Year
“One Track Mind” – Sweet Smell of Success
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Curtains:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “Don’t Look at Me #1” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Don’t Look at Me #2” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Rooms” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Sherlock Holmes & the … Elusive Ear” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
Final Step: Prepare for your audition
After collecting your materials and getting familiar with the show, it’s time to move forward with the actual preparation. If you’re in need of some guidance on this step, you can always go through this FREE audition prep checklist!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Curtains Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Curtains 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.
Act I:
“Wide Open Spaces” – Jessica, Bobby, Niki, Randy, Bambi, Ensemble
“What Kind of Man?” – Carmen, Oscar, Aaron, Georgia
“Thinking of Him” – Georgia, Aaron, Bobby
“The Woman’s Dead” – Georgia, Aaron, Niki, Bobby, Belling, Bambi, Oscar, Carmen, Ensemble
“Show People” – Carmen, Cioffi, Georgia, Aaron, Oscar, Belling, Bobby, Company
“Coffee Shop Nights” – Cioffi
“In the Same Boat #1” – Georgia, Niki, Bambi
“I Miss the Music” – Aaron
“Thataway!” – Georgia, Bobby, Company
Act 2:
“The Man is Dead (Reprise)” – Sasha
“He Did It” – Bobby, Georgia, Niki, Aaron, Belling, Oscar, Ensemble
“It’s a Business” – Carmen, Ensemble
“Kansasland” – Ensemble
“Thinking of Him/I Miss The Music (Reprise)” – Aaron, Georgia
“A Tough Act to Follow” – Cioffi, Niki, Ensemble
“In the Same Boat #3, #4, and #5” – Company
“Show People (Reprise)” – Cioffi, Carmen
“Wide Open Spaces (Finale)” – Cioffi, Georgia, Company
“A Tough Act to Follow (Reprise)” – Niki, Cioffi, Company
Which of these audition songs for Curtains 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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.