The Best Audition Songs for Guys and Dolls – By Character
When considering audition songs for Guys and Dolls, it’s fitting to choose an upbeat song from classic musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because Guys and Dolls premiered in 1950, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1940s and 1960s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
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 upbeat, 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 Guys and Dolls.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for Guys and Dolls
✨Need more options? The list below gives you a great starting point! The Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio gives you access to thousands of songs, hundreds of monologues, and tools to help you find your casting lane! Explore the Repertoire Studio →
Arvide Abernathy
“How to Handle a Woman” – Camelot
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady
“Rosie” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Miss Adelaide
“A Little Brains, A Little Talent” – Damn Yankees
“A Little Girl From Little Rock” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“One Hundred Easy Ways” – Wonderful Town
Nathan Detroit
“Heart” – Damn Yankees
“Once In Love with Amy” – Where’s Charley?
“What Makes It Happen?” – Walking Happy
“When I’m Not Near The Girl I Love” – Finian’s Rainbow
Nicely-Nicely Johnson
“Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Kids” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Shipoopi” – The Music Man
“What a Waste” – Wonderful Town
Sarah Brown
“A Little Bit in Love” – Wonderful Town
“One Boy” – Bye Bye Birdie
“This Is All Very New to Me” – Plain and Fancy
“Warm All Over” – The Most Happy Fella
Sky Masterson
“All I Need Is the Girl” – Gypsy
“It Only Takes a Moment” – Hello, Dolly!
“Too Darn Hot” – Kiss Me, Kate
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
🎭 Are you never quite sure which roles to audition for? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Always True to You in My Fashion” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“It’s a Perfect Relationship” – Bells Are Ringing
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Beautiful Girl” – Singin’ in the Rain
“Never Will I Marry” – Greenwillow
“There But For You Go I” – Brigadoon
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Fellow Needs a Girl” – Allegro
“Just In Time” – Bells Are Ringing
“Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific
Ensemble (Contras)
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
“The Gentleman Is a Dope” – Allegro
“Why Can’t You Behave?” – Kiss Me, Kate
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I’ll Show Him” – Plain and Fancy
“Love, Look Away” – Flower Drum Song
“Shopping Around” – Wish You Were Here
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Goodnight My Someone” – The Music Man
“How Lovely to Be a Woman” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
“Old Devil Moon” – Finian’s Rainbow
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Guys and Dolls:
• “Banana Split” from Wonderful Town
• “Everything Slow” from Pipe Dream
• “Paper Route” from Born Yesterday
• “Poor Relation” from George Washington Slept Here
• “The Palace Flophouse” from Pipe Dream
Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free resources on Patreon→
Guys and Dolls Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Guys and Dolls, 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! This 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:
“Fugue for Tinhorns” – Nicely, Benny, Rusty
“Follow the Fold” – Sarah, Ensemble
“The Oldest Established” – Nathan, Benny, Nicely, Ensemble
“I’ll Know” – Sarah, Sky
“A Bushel and a Peck” – Adelaide, Ensemble
“Adelaide’s Lament” – Adelaide
“Guys and Dolls” – Nicely, Benny
“If I Were a Bell” – Sarah
“My Time of Day” – Sky
“I’ve Never Been in Love Before” – Sky, Sarah
Act 2:
“Take Back Your Mink” – Adelaide, Ensemble
“Adelaide’s Lament (Reprise)” – Adelaide
“More I Cannot Wish You” – Arvide
“Luck Be a Lady” – Sky, Ensemble
“Sue Me” – Adelaide, Nathan
“Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” – Nicely, Ensemble
“Marry the Man Today” – Adelaide, Sarah
“Guys and Dolls (Reprise)” – Company
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
