The Best Audition Songs for Damn Yankees – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Damn Yankees? 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 Damn Yankees, broken down by character.
Since Damn Yankees is a golden age musical, most of the following songs are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there’s a high and light-hearted energy to many of the songs below in order to match the style of the show.
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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 upbeat, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call.
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 Damn Yankees 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 (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.
Joe Boyd / Joe Hardy
“Restless Heart” – Fanny
“Shall I Take My Heart” – Goldilocks
“To My Wife” – Fanny
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Lola
“A Little Girl from Little Rock” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“Nobody Does it Like Me” – Seesaw
“Who’ll Buy?” – Lost in the Stars
Meg Boyd
“I’m Going Back” – Bells are Ringing
“Johnny One-Note” – Babes in Arms
“Take It on the Chin” – Me and My Girl
“The Next Time it Happens” – Pipe Dream
Mr. Applegate
“My Time of Day” – Guys and Dolls
“Seventy Six Trombones” – The Music Man
“The Man I Used to Be” – Pipe Dream
“There Never Was a Woman” – Goldilocks
Van Buren
“Days Gone By” – She Loves Me
“She Likes Basketball” – Promises, Promises
“Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” – Guys and Dolls
“What a Waste” – Wonderful Town
Ensemble (Altos)
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“If You Hadn’t But You Did” – Two on the Aisle
“It’s a Perfect Relationship” – Bells are Ringing
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Never Will I Marry” – Greenwillow
“Rosie” – Bye Bye Birdie
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
Ensemble (Basses)
“Don’t Cry” – The Most Happy Fella
“Once in Love With Amy” – Where’s Charley?
“Who Can I Turn To” – The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd
Ensemble (Contras)
“I’ve Still Got My Health” – Panama Hattie
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
“One Hundred Easy Ways” – Wonderful Town
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
“We Deserve Each Other” – Me and Juliet
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“A Little Bit in Love” – Wonderful Town
“Mr. Wonderful” – Mr. Wonderful
“Till There Was You” – The Music Man
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Fanny” – Fanny
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Damn Yankees:
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “Harvey and I➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “Play Memory” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Sky Lines #1” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
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!
Damn Yankees Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Damn Yankees, 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 1:
“Six Months Out of Every Year” – Meg Boyd, Joe Boyd, Ensemble
“Goodbye, Old Girl” – Joe Boyd, Joe Hardy
“Heart” – Van Buren, Smoky, Rocky, Vernon
“Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo.” – Gloria Thorpe, Ensemble
“A Little Brains, A Little Talent” – Lola
“A Man Doesn’t Know” – Joe Hardy
“Whatever Lola Wants” – Lola
“Heart (Reprise)” – Ensemble
“Who’s Got The Pain?” – Lola, Ensemble
Act 2:
“The Game” – Ensemble
“Near to You” – Joe Hardy, Meg
“Those Were the Good Old Days” – Applegate
“Two Lost Souls” – Lola, Applegate
“A Man Doesn’t Know (Reprise)” – Meg, Joe Boyd
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Damn Yankees 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, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.