The Best Audition Songs for Half a Sixpence – By Character
If you’re looking for audition songs for Half a Sixpence or KIPPS, it’s best to choose a light-hearted song from musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.
Because Half a Sixpence is a 1960s musical and KIPPS is its modern remake, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1950s and 1960s, or from newer shows with a classic feel. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.
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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 uptempo, 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 Half a Sixpence.
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.
Ann Pornick
“Anything Can Happen” – Mary Poppins
“Ice Cream” – Anne of Green Gables
“Without You” – My Fair Lady
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” – My Fair Lady
Arthur Kipps
“Fortuosity” – The Happiest Millionaire [1960s film/non-theatre]
“Messing About In A Boat” – The Wind in the Willows
“Trip a Little Light Fantastic” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Chitterlow
“After Today” – Doctor Dolittle
“I Love to Laugh” – Mary Poppins [1960s film/non-theatre]
“Warts and All” – Honk!
“You Two” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Helen Walsingham
“A Spoonful of Sugar” – Mary Poppins
“Gee I’m Glad I’m No One Else But Me” – Anne of Green Gables
“Open the Window” – Anne of Green Gables
“Practically Perfect” – Mary Poppins
Ensemble (Altos)
“Beautiful Things” – Doctor Dolittle
“Feed the Birds” – Mary Poppins
“Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Chim Chim Cheree” – Mary Poppins
“Lovely London Sky” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
“What Makes It Happen?” – Walking Happy
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Conversation” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady
“There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” – Sherman Brothers [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“It’s a Fine Life” – Oliver!
“Stay Awake” – Mary Poppins [1960s film/non-theatre]
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Just You Wait” – My Fair Lady
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
“The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” – Camelot
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I Could Have Danced All Night” – My Fair Lady
“Show Me” – My Fair Lady
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” – Mary Poppins
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Wanna Be Rich” – Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
“You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” – Oliver!
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Half a Sixpence:
• “A Thirteen-Year-Old Maid” in Young Women’s Monologues from Contemporary Plays➝
• “Fifty-Two From Sixty-Four➝” from The Forced Marriage ➝
• “I Shall Go Mad!” from Fourteen➝
• “My Shares Are Worthless➝” from A Little Princess (Miss Minchin)
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!
Half a Sixpence Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in KIPPS – The New Half a Sixpence Musical, 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:
“Half a Sixpence” – Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick
“Look Alive” – Shalford, Carshot, Ensemble
“Money to Burn” – Sid, Flo, Pierce, Buggins, Kipps
“Believe in Yourself” – Helen, Kipps
“She’s Too Far Above Me” – Arthur
“A Proper Gentleman” – Shalford, Kipps, Ensemble
“Half a Sixpence (Part 2)” – Kipps, Ann
“Long Ago” – Ann
“A Simple Lunch” – James, Mrs. Walsingham, Kipps
“The Joy of the Theatre” – Chitterlow, Ensemble
“Just a Few Little Things” – Kipps, Helen
“Just A Little Touch of Happiness” – Ann, Flo
“If The Rain’s Got to Fall” – Kipps, Company
Act 2:
“The One Who’s Run Away” – Kipps, Chitterlow
“Pick Out a Simple Tune” – Kipps, Ensemble
“You Never Get Anything Right” / “I Know Who I Am” – Ann, Kipps
“We’ll Build a Palace” / “I Only Want a Little House” – Walsingham, James, Kipps, Helen, Ensemble
“In the Middle There’s Me” – Kipps, Ensemble
“Long Ago (Reprise)” – Kipps, Ann
“Flash Bang Wallop” – Kipps, Ann, Sid, Pearce, Buggins, Flo, Ensemble
“Flash Bang Wallop (Reprise)” – Chitterlow, Company
“Finale” – Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these audition songs for Half a Sixpence 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.
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 and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
