The Best Audition Songs for Disaster! – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Disaster!? 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 Disaster!, broken down by character.
Since Disaster! is a jukebox musical featuring songs from the 1970s, the following list contains both musical and non-musical theatre songs from the 1960s-1980s. In addition, there are lots of pop and disco vibes 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 uptempo, 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 read through the synopsis while listening to the Disaster! cast album➝.
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.
Chad
“Come Sail Away” – Styx [1970s/non-theatre]
“Heaven Can Wait” – Meat Loaf [1970s/non-theatre]
“More Than a Feeling” – Boston [1970s/non-theatre]
“We Gotta Get Out of this Place” – Beautiful
Jackie
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper [1980s/non-theatre]
“Knowing When to Leave” – Promises, Promises
“I Say a Little Prayer” – Dionne Warwick/Promises, Promises
“Downtown” – Petula Clark [1960s/non-theatre]
Levora Verona
“Bad Girls” – Donna Summer [1970s/non-theatre]
“Fabulous, Baby!” – Sister Act
“Last Dance” – Donna Summer [1970s/non-theatre]
“She Works Hard for the Money” – Donna Summer [1970s/non-theatre]
Marianne
“Heart of Glass” – Blondie [1970s/non-theatre]
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” – Pat Benetar [1980s/non-theatre]
“Put in a Package and Sold” – I’m Getting My Act Together & Taking It on the Road
“The Man With the Child in His Eyes” – Kate Bush [1970s/non-theatre]
Maury
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” – Looking Glass [1970s/non-theatre]
“Captain Jack” – Movin’ Out
“Dance With Me” – Orleans [1970s/non-theatre]
“Piano Man” – Billy Joel [1970s/non-theatre]
Shirley
“Angelo” – Brotherhood of Man [1970s/non-theatre]
“I Feel the Earth Move” – Beautiful
“I Only Want to Be With You” – Dusty Springfield [1960s/non-theatre]
“You Light Up My Life” – Debby Boone [1970s/non-theatre]
Sister Mary Downey
* It might be beneficial to prepare both an “A” song and a “B” song in order to be able to show both sides of this character’s personality.
A. “I’m Every Woman” – Chaka Khan [1970s/non-theatre]
A. “Lookin’ Through the Windows” – The Jackson 5 [1970s/non-theatre]
B. “Sons of” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
B. “Timid Frieda” – Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
B. “Woodstock” – Joni Mitchell [1970s/non-theatre]
Tony
“Easy” – Commodores [1970s/non-theatre]
“Hello” – Lionel Richie [1980s/non-theatre]
“Making Love Out of Nothing At All” – Air Supply [1980s/non-theatre]
“The Stranger” – Movin’ Out
Ensemble (Altos)
“It’s Raining Men” – The Weather Girls [1980s/non-theatre]
“Magic Man” – Heart [1970s/non-theatre]
“You Can’t Win” – The Wiz
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Lean on Me” -Bill Withers
“The Lives of Me” – The Boy From Oz
“You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” – Barry White [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Basses)
“Always on My Mind” – Elvis [1970s/non-theatre]
“Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage” – The Boy From Oz
“Your Song” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“Burning Love” – Elvis Presley [1970s/non-theatre]
“Crocodile Rock” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
“Fernando” – ABBA [1970s/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Angel” – Aretha Franklin [1970s/non-theatre]
“I’m Still Waiting” – Diana Ross [1970s/non-theatre]
“Listen to Your Heart” – Roxette [1980s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“A Little More Love” – Olivia Newton-John [1970s/non-theatre]
“Band of Gold” – Freda Payne [1970s/non-theatre]
“Little Queen” – Heart [1970s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Go West” – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
“Knowing Me, Knowing You” – Mamma Mia!
“We All Fall in Love Sometimes” – Elton John [1970s/non-theatre]
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Disaster!:
• “Album” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “Hear That Song?➝” from Ohio (Cat)
• “It’s Never One Thing➝” from Shows for Days (Irene)
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
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!
Disaster! Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Disaster!, 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:
“Hot Stuff” – Scott, Chad, Jake, Ted, Tony, Ensemble
“The Lord’s Prayer” – Sister Mary
“Theme from Mahogany” – Levora
“Saturday Night” – Jackie, Ensemble
“Do You Wanna Make Love” – Tony, Marianne
“Without You” – Chad
“I Am Woman” / “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” – Marianne, Lisa, Ensemble
“Mockingbird” – Jackie, Ted
“Still the One” – Shirley, Maury
“Never Can Say Goodbye” / “Torn Between Two Lovers” – Sister Mary
“Feelings” – Ted, Marianne, Chad
“Knock on Wood” – Levora, Ensemble
Act 2:
“You’re My Best Friend” – Chad, Scott
“Three Times a Lady” – Chad, Wealthy Man
“Ben” – Lisa, Maury, Sister Mary
“25 or 6 to 4” – Ted, Sister Mary, Shirley, Maury, Chad
“Sky High” – Chad, Ted, Marianne, Ensemble
“When Will I Be Loved” – Jackie, Ben, Lisa
“Don’t Cry Out Loud” – Tony
“Come to Me” – Levora, Sister Mary
“I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” – Chad, Marianne
“I Will Survive” – Jackie, Tony
“A Fifth of Beethoven” – Shirley, Company
“Reunited” – Chad, Marianne, Ted
“Daybreak” – Company
“Hooked on a Feeling” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Disaster! 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.