The Best Audition Songs for Guys and Dolls – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Guys and Dolls? 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 Guys and Dolls, broken down by character.
Since Guys and Dolls is a 1950s musical, the following songs are from shows between the 1940s – 1960s. There are also lots of classic 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 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
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.
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
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
“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
“Why Can’t You Behave?” – Kiss Me, Kate
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
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Wonderful Guy” – South Pacific
“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)
“I Never Know When” – Goldilocks
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
“The Gentleman Is a Dope” – Allegro
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
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)
“Moses Supposes” – Singin’ in the Rain
“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:
• “I Don’t Know➝” from Sun Dried➝ (Mary Louise)
• “In a Minute” from The Anniversary➝ (Tatiana)
• “Play Memory” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
• “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!
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! 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:
“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
Which of these audition songs for Guys and Dolls 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.