The Best Audition Songs for Kiss Me, Kate – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Kiss Me, Kate? 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 Kiss Me, Kate, by character.
Since Kiss Me, Kate is a 1940s musical, the following songs are from shows between the 1940s – 1960s. There are also lots of classic selections below to match the musical’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: 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.
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 Kiss Me, Kate.
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.
Bill Calhoun / Lucentio
“Luck Be a Lady” – Guys and Dolls
“Old Devil Moon” – Finian’s Rainbow
“When the Children Are Asleep” – Carousel
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
Fred Graham / Petruchio
“C’est Moi” – Camelot
“Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific
“This Nearly Was Mine” – South Pacific
“Welcome Home” – Fanny
Lilli Vanessi / Katharine
“My White Knight” – The Music Man
“No Other Love” – Me and Juliet
“Something Wonderful” – The King and I
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Carousel
Lois Lane / Bianca
“A Little Brains, A Little Talent” – Damn Yankees
“A Little Girl from Little Rock” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song
“We Deserve Each Other” – Me and Juliet
Ensemble (Altos)
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“I’m Not At All In Love” – The Pajama Game
“Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please” – Panama Hattie
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Hey There” – The Pajama Game
“That’s For Me” – State Fair
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Fellow Needs a Girl” – Allegro
“My Time of Day” – Guys and Dolls
“Once In Love With Amy” – Where’s Charley?
Ensemble (Contras)
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
“The Boy Next Door” – Meet Me in St. Louis
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I’ll Show Him” – Plain and Fancy
“Love, Look Away” – Flower Drum Song
“Shopping Around” – Wish You Were Here
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Goodnight My Someone” – The Music Man
“Use Your Imagination” – Out of This World
“Warm All Over” – The Most Happy Fella
Ensemble (Tenors)
“All I Need Is the Girl” – Gypsy
“The Flower Garden of My Heart” – Pal Joey
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Kiss Me, Kate:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “Bernhardt/Hamlet (#1)” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “Play Memory” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “The Ideal Man!” from A Woman of No Importance➝ (Mrs. Allonby)
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!
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Kiss Me, Kate Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Kiss Me, Kate 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:
“Another Op’nin’, Another Show” – Company
“Why Can’t You Behave?” – Lois Lane, Bill Calhoun
“Wunderbar” – Fred Graham, Lilli Vanessi
“So in Love” – Lilli
“We Open in Venice” – Fred, Lilli, Lois, Bill
“Tom, Dick or Harry” – Bianca, Lucentio, Gremio, Hortensio
“I’ve Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua” – Petruchio, Ensemble
“I Hate Men” – Lilli
“Were Thine That Special Face” – Fred
“Cantiamo D’Amore” – Bianca, Lucentio, Ensemble
“Kiss Me, Kate” – Fred, Lilli, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Too Darn Hot” – Paul, Ensemble
“Where Is the Life That Late I Led?” – Petruchio
“Always True to You in My Fashion” – Lois
“From This Moment On” – Harrison Howell, Lilli
“Bianca” – Bill, Company
“So in Love (Reprise)” – Fred
“Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – Ensemble
“I Am Ashamed That People Are So Simple” – Lilli
“Kiss Me, Kate (Finale)” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Kiss Me, Kate 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.
*The featured image is by Opera North.
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 holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.