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 golden age musical, most of the following songs are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there is a classic/light-hearted vibe to many of the following 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.
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 Kiss Me, Kate 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.
Bill Calhoun / Lucentio
“Like a God” – Flower Drum Song
“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
“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Wonderful Guy” – South Pacific
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“One Hundred Easy Ways” – Wonderful Town
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Hey There” – The Pajama Game
“Once In Love With Amy” – Where’s Charley?
“Very Soft Shoes” – Once Upon a Mattress
Ensemble (Basses)
“Luck be a Lady” – Guys and Dolls
“My Time of Day” – Guys and Dolls
“Put on a Happy Face” – Bye Bye Birdie
Ensemble (Contras)
“If You Hadn’t But You Did” – Two on the Aisle
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
“The Boy Next Door” – Meet Me in St. Louis
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“I’ll Show Him” – Plain and Fancy
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
“We Deserve Each Other” – Me and Juliet
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“A Little Bit in Love” – Wonderful Town
“Goodnight My Someone” – The Music Man
“Warm All Over” – The Most Happy Fella
Ensemble (Tenors)
“All I Need is the Girl” – Gypsy
“That’s For Me” – State Fair
“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: 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!
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, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.