The Best Audition Songs for James and the Giant Peach – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for James and the Giant Peach? 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 James and the Giant Peach, broken down by character.
Since James and the Giant Peach is a contemporary musical, the following songs are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, the songs below are family-friendly in order to match the style of the show.
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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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “James and the Giant Peach Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 James and the Giant Peach 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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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.
Aunt Spiker / Aunt Sponge
“I Want the Good Times Back” – The Little Mermaid
“Land of Yesterday” – Anastasia
“Off With Their Heads” – Wonderland
“Poor Unfortunate Souls” – The Little Mermaid
“Red Shoes Blues” – The Wizard of Oz
James Trotter
“Almost Nearly Perfect” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
“Counting Down to Christmas” – A Christmas Story
“In the Big Blue World” – Finding Nemo: The Musical
“It’s Possible” – Seussical
“Think Positive” – Willy Wonka
Ladahlord
“Friend Like Me” – Aladdin
“It Must Be Believed to Be Seen” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
“The Ballad of Farquaad” – Shrek
“The Bottom Line” – Newsies
“What’s Up, Duloc?” – Shrek
Ladybug
“Every Tear a Mother Cries” – Honk!
“Home” – Beauty and the Beast
“Just Like That” – A Christmas Story
“What a Mother Does” – A Christmas Story
Ensemble (Altos)
“After All of This and Everything” – Freaky Friday
“Notice Me, Horton” – Seussical
“The Joy of Motherhood” – Honk!
Ensemble (Baritones)
“How Lucky You Are” – Seussical
“Pure Imagination” – Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
“The Genius on Cleveland Street” – A Christmas Story
Ensemble (Basses)
“Sheldon Potts’ Halftime Show” – Junie B. Jones
“The Man Inside the Clues” – Catch Me If You Can
“We Look to You” – The Prom
Ensemble (Contras)
“Born to Boogie” – Billy Elliot
“Shine” – Billy Elliot
“Women and Sandwiches” – Freaky Friday
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“I’ve Got Pizazz” – Nunsense II
“Journey to the Past” – Anastasia
“Times Are Hard for Dreamers” – Amélie
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“The World Above” – The Little Mermaid
“Two Men in My Life” – Big Fish
“What Only Love Can See” – Chaplin
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Different” – Honk!
“Don’t Let Me Go” – Shrek
“Seventeen” – Tuck Everlasting
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for James and the Giant Peach:
• “A Pony for Christmas” in Kids’ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny➝
• “Babysitters Shouldn’t Have to …” in Kids’ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny➝
• “Eggs in a Basket” in The Acting Coach Approach: 48 Monologues for Kids➝
• “Lemonade for the Mailman” in Monologues for Kids and Tweens➝
• “We’ll Figure It Out” in Monologues for Kids and Tweens➝
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!
James and the Giant Peach Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in James in the Giant Peach, 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:
“Right Before Your Eyes” – Ladahlord, James, Spiker, Sponge, Ladybug, Centipede, Ensemble
“On Your Way Home” – James
“Property of Spiker and Sponge” – Spiker, Sponge
“Shake It Up” – Ladahlord, Ensemble
“There’s Money On That Tree” – Spiker, Sponge, Ensemble
“Middle of a Moment” – James
“Floatin’ Along” – James, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Have You Even Begun to Wonder?” – James, Ensemble
“A Getaway for Spiker and Sponge” – Spiker, Sponge
“Everywhere That You Are” – Ladybug, Grasshopper, Earthworm, Spider
“I Got You” – Spiker, Sponge, Ensemble
“Plump and Juicy” – James, Earthworm, Spider, Centipede, Grasshopper, Ensemble
“Empire State/The Attack” – Ladahlord, Ensemble
“On Your Way Home (Reprise)” – James
“Welcome Home” – Company
Which of these audition songs for James and the Giant Peach 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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
