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 golden-age musical, the songs below are also from golden-age/post-golden age musicals. In addition, there is a classic and cool vibe to many of the songs below in order to match the style of the show.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.
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 Guys and Dolls 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.
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)
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“It’s a Perfect Relationship” – Bells are Ringing
“The Gentleman is a Dope” – Allegro
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 Believe in You” – How to Succeed in Business
“I Never Know When” – Goldilocks
“If You Hadn’t But You Did” – Two on the Aisle
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream
“The Next Time it Happens” – Pipe Dream
“We Deserve Each Other” – Me and Juliet
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“How Lovely to Be a Woman” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella
“Would You?” – Singin’ in the Rain
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.