The Best Audition Songs for Hello, Dolly! – By Character
If you’re looking for audition songs for Hello, Dolly!, it’s best to choose a light-hearted song from classic 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 Hello, Dolly! premiered in 1964, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1940s and 1960s. 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 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 Hello, Dolly!
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.
Barnaby Tucker
“Gotta Dance” – Look Ma, I’m Dancin’!
“If I Be Your Best Chance” – Walking Happy
“It’s a Lovely Day Today” – Call Me Madam
“What Makes It Happen?” – Walking Happy
Cornelius Hackl
“Broadway Baby” – Dames at Sea
“Love, I Hear” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
“She Loves Me” – She Loves Me
“Summertime Love” – Greenwillow
Dolly Gallagher Levi
“Go Home, Train!” – Fade Out – Fade In
“If My Friends Could See Me Now” – Sweet Charity
“I’m a Brass Band” – Sweet Charity
“Sing Happy” – Flora, the Red Menace
Horace Vandergelder
“Come Back to Me” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“Once in a Lifetime” – Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
“Real Live Girl” – Little Me
“She Wasn’t You” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Irene Molloy
“An Occasional Flight of Fancy” – Skyscraper
“On the Other Side of the Tracks” – Little Me
“Secret Love” – Calamity Jane
“Who Are You Now?” – Funny Girl
Minnie Fay
“If I Were a Bell” – Guys and Dolls
“Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” – Carnival
“The Pussy Foot” – Goldilocks
“This Is All Very New to Me” – Plain and Fancy
Ensemble (Altos)
“Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“Open a New Window” – Mame
“The Usher from the Mezzanine” – Fade Out – Fade In
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“Never Will I Marry” – Greenwillow
“She’s My Love” – Carnival!
Ensemble (Basses)
“Her Face” – Carnival!
“Just In Time” – Bells Are Ringing
“Not Mine” – Hallelujah, Baby!
Ensemble (Contras)
“A Parade in Town” – Anyone Can Whistle
“Before I Kiss the World Goodbye” – Jennie
“The Man in the Moon” – Mame
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“A Quiet Thing” – Flora, the Red Menace
“I’m the First Girl in the Second Row” – Look Ma, I’m Dancin’!
“You Don’t Know” – Here’s Love
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Gee I’m Glad I’m No One Else But Me” – Anne of Green Gables
“I Wanted to Change Him” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Love, Don’t Turn Away” – 110 in the Shade
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Will Follow You” – Milk and Honey
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Hello, Dolly!:
• “I Shall Go Mad!” from Fourteen➝
• “Tommy Has Proposed” from An Ideal Husband➝ (Mabel)
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
• “You’re Quite a Girl➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
• “You’ve Got to Come Back a Star➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve gathered your materials and studied the show, it’s time to start preparing. Need help? Here’s a FREE audition prep checklist to stay organized for future auditions!
Hello, Dolly! Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Hello, Dolly!, 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:
“Call On Dolly” – Ensemble
“I Put My Hand In” – Dolly
“It Takes A Woman” – Cornelius, Barnaby, Horace, Ensemble
“It Takes A Woman (Reprise)” – Horace, Dolly
“World, Take Me Back” – Dolly
“Put On Your Sunday Clothes” – Cornelius, Barnaby, Dolly, Ensemble
“Ribbons Down My Back” – Irene
“Ribbons Down My Back (Reprise)” – Irene
“Motherhood March” – Dolly, Irene, Minnie
“Dancing” – Dolly, Cornelius, Barnaby, Irene
“Before The Parade Passes By” – Dolly, Ensemble
“Finale: Act I” – Dolly
Act 2:
“Elegance” – Cornelius, Barnaby, Irene, Minnie
“Hello, Dolly!” – Dolly, Ensemble
“Hello, Dolly! (Reprise)” – Ensemble
“It Only Takes a Moment” – Cornelius
“So Long, Dearie” – Dolly
“Finale Ultimo” – Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these audition songs for Hello, Dolly! 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.
