The Best Audition Songs for Mary Poppins – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Mary Poppins? 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 Mary Poppins, broken down by character.
Since Mary Poppins is a contemporary remake of a 1960s film, the following songs are a mix of golden/post-golden age musicals and newer musicals with a classic feel to them. In addition, there are lots of light-hearted & Disney songs below 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 Mary Poppins cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis. Or you can watch the classic film➝.
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.
Bert
“Beautiful Girl” – Singin’ in the Rain
“Put on a Happy Face” – Bye Bye Birdie
“With a Little Bit of Luck” – My Fair Lady
“You Two” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
George Banks
“I’m an Ordinary Man” – My Fair Lady
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady
“Why Can’t the English?” – My Fair Lady
“With a Flair” – Bedknobs and Broomsticks [1970s film/non-theatre]
Jane Caroline Banks
“Dites-Moi” – South Pacific
“Little Lamb” – Gypsy
“So Long, Farewell” – The Sound of Music
“Truly Scrumptious” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Mary Poppins
“I Could Have Danced All Night” – My Fair Lady
“I Have Confidence” – The Sound of Music
“I Whistle a Happy Tune” – The King and I
“My Favorite Things” – The Sound of Music
Michael Banks
“Gary, Indiana” – The Music Man
“I’d Do Anything” – Oliver!
“My Best Girl” – Mame
“Where is Love?” – Oliver!
Miss Andrew
“Evil” – The Witches of Eastwick
“It’s a Privilege to Pee” – Urinetown
“Lucky” – A Little Princess
“Poor Unfortunate Souls” – The Little Mermaid
Winifred Banks
“Just Beyond the Stars” – Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure
“Live Out Loud” – A Little Princess
“My House” – Matilda
“The Age of Not Believing” – Bedknobs & Broomsticks [1970s film/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“I Gotta Crow” – Peter Pan
“Take It on the Chin” – Me and My Girl
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Fortuosity” – The Happiest Millionaire [1960s film/non-theatre]
“Try Me” – She Loves Me
“Very Soft Shoes” – Once Upon a Mattress
Ensemble (Basses)
“Hushabye Mountain” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
“Once in Love With Amy” – Where’s Charley?
“There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” – Sherman Brothers [1960s/non-theatre]
Ensemble (Contras)
“Never Never Land” – Peter Pan
“Tender Shepherd” – Peter Pan
“Wendy” – Peter Pan
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Open the Window” – Anne of Green Gables
“Something Wonderful” – The King and I
“Why Go Anywhere At All?” – The Gay Life
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Gee I’m Glad I’m No One Else But Me” – Anne of Green Gables
“Goodnight My Someone” – The Music Man
“Would You?” – Singin’ in the Rain
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“Many Moons Ago” – Once Upon a Mattress
“Singin’ in the Rain” – Singin’ in the Rain
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Mary Poppins:
• “Flying” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “I Want You to Meet Harvey➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “The Flying Dream” in The Acting Coach Approach: 48 Monologues for Kids➝
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
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!
Mary Poppins Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Mary Poppins, 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:
“Chim Chim Cher-ee” – Bert
“Cherry Tree Lane (Part 1)” – George, Winifred, Jane, Michael, Ensemble
“The Perfect Nanny” – Jane, Michael
“Cherry Tree Lane (Part 2)” – George, Winifred, Ensemble
“Practically Perfect” – Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael
“Jolly Holiday” – Bert, Ensemble
“Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise) / Being Mrs Banks / Jolly Holiday (Reprise)” – George, Winifred, Jane, Michael
“A Spoonful of Sugar” – Mary Poppins
“Precision and Order” – George, Ensemble
“A Man Has Dreams” – George
“Feed the Birds” – Bird Woman, Mary Poppins
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” – Mary Poppins, Bert, Jane, Michael, Ensemble
“Temper, Temper” – Jane, Michael, Ensemble
“Chim Chim Cher-ee (Rooftop Duet)” – Bert, Mary Poppins
Act 2:
“Brimstone and Treacle (Part 1)” – Miss Andrew
“Let’s Go Fly a Kite” – Mr. Banks, Bert, Ensemble
“Good for Nothing” – George
“Being Mrs Banks (Reprise)” – Winifred
“Brimstone and Treacle (Part 2)” – Mary Poppins, Miss Andrew, Jane, Michael
“Step in Time” – Bert, Ensemble
“A Man Has Dreams / A Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise)” – George, Bert
“Anything Can Happen” – Mary Poppins, Jane, Michael, Winifred, Bert, Ensemble
“A Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise) / A Shooting Star” – Mary Poppins, Michael, Jane, Winifred, George
Which of these audition songs for Mary Poppins 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.