The Best Audition Songs for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
When considering audition songs for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, it’s fitting to choose a song from classic musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because How to Succeed in Business premiered in 1961, 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.
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 about How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
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 How to Succeed in Business
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Bud Frump
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“Half As Big As Life” – Promises, Promises
“Ilona” – She Loves Me
“Upstairs” – Promises, Promises
Hedy LaRue
“A Trip to the Library” – She Loves Me
“If My Friends Could See Me Now” – Sweet Charity
“On the Other Side of the Tracks” – Little Me
“One Hundred Easy Ways” – Wonderful Town
J.B. Biggley
“Days Gone By” – She Loves Me
“She Likes Basketball” – Promises, Promises
“This Is a Great Country” – Mr. President
“Wanting Things” – Promises Promises
J. Pierrepont Finch
“It Only Takes a Moment” – Hello, Dolly!
“Miracle of Miracles” – Fiddler on the Roof
“Singin’ in the Rain” – Singin’ in the Rain
“Try Me” – She Loves Me
Mr. Twimble
“Come Back to Me” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“Heart” – Damn Yankees
“Sweet Charity” – Sweet Charity
“That Man Over There” – Miracle on 34th Street
Rosemary Pilkington
“If I Were a Bell” – Guys and Dolls
“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella
“Warm All Over” – The Most Happy Fella
“Would You?” – Singin’ in the Rain
Smitty
“I’m a Brass Band” – Sweet Charity
“Sing Happy” – Flora, the Red Menace
“The Music That Makes Me Dance” – Funny Girl
“What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
🎭 Do you know your casting type? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“A House Is Not a Home” – Promises, Promises
“Being Good Isn’t Good Enough” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Broadway Baby” – Dames at Sea
“My Wish” – Miracle on 34th Street
“She Wasn’t You” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Wonderful Day Like Today” – The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd
“If I Ruled the World” – Pickwick
“Not Mine” – Hallelujah, Baby!
Ensemble (Contras)
“An Occasional Flight of Fancy” – Skyscraper
“I Resolve” – She Loves Me
“Miss Marmelstein” – I Can Get It for You Wholesale
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Knowing When to Leave” – Promises, Promises
“Why Go Anywhere At All?” – The Gay Life
“You’ve Got Possibilities” – It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Dear Friend” – She Loves Me
“Till There Was You” – The Music Man
“Will He Like Me?” – She Loves Me
Ensemble (Tenors)
“She Loves Me” – She Loves Me
“Too Many Tomorrows” – Sweet Charity
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for How to Succeed in Business:
• “A Signed Contract” from Full Moon
• “Everything Slow” from Pipe Dream
• “Madison Avenue” from No Strings
• “Too Abstract” from Sylvia
• “Twenty Minutes” from They’re Playing Our Song
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.
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How to Succeed in Business Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in How to Succeed in Business 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:
“Dear Reader” / “How to Succeed” – Finch, Narrator, Ensemble
“Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm” – Rosemary
“Coffee Break” – Bud, Smitty, Ensemble
“Company Way” – Twimble, Finch
“Company Way (Reprise)” – Bud, Twimble, Ensemble
“A Secretary is Not a Toy” – Bratt, Ensemble
“Been a Long Day” – Smitty, Finch, Rosemary
“Been a Long Day (Reprise)” – Biggley, Hedy, Bud
“Grand Old Ivy” – Biggley, Finch
“Paris Original” – Rosemary, Smitty, Krumholtz, Miss Jones, Ensemble
“Finch Is In Love” – Finch, Hedy
“Rosemary” – Finch, Rosemary
“Act I Finale” – Finch, Rosemary, Bud
Act 2:
“Cinderella, Darling” – Smitty, Ensemble
“Happy To Keep His Dinner Warm (Reprise)” – Rosemary
“Love From a Heart of Gold” – Biggley, Hedy
“The Executive Washroom” / “I Believe in You” – Finch, Ensemble
“I Believe in You (Reprise)” – Rosemary
“Brotherhood of Man” – Finch, Ensemble
“Company Way (Finale)” – 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.
