The Best Audition Songs for Hello, Dolly! – By Character
When considering audition songs for Hello, Dolly!, it’s fitting to choose a lighthearted 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 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 to ensure it matches the show’s style.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more details, please see our full disclosure.
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
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 Hello, Dolly!
✨ Want audition material that gets you noticed? Explore monologues, songs, and guidance on finding your casting lane inside The Theatre Trip Archive on Patreon!
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
❓ Curious which character type suits your personality? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or something even more unique!
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
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
• “Poor Relation” from George Washington Slept Here
• “Three Great Events” from A Connecticut Yankee
• “Tommy Has Proposed” from An Ideal Husband
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal
Step 5: Audition Prep
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.
Join Theatre Trip’s free Patreon Tier for:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free printables here →
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! 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:
“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
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.
