The Best Audition Songs for Miss Saigon – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Miss Saigon? 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 Miss Saigon, by character.
Since Miss Saigon is a pre-contemporary musical from the late 1980s, the songs below are all from musicals between 1980-2010. In addition, there is an epic/dramatic vibe to many of the following in order to match the style of the show.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.
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 read the synopsis while listening to the Miss Saigon cast album➝. Or you can watch the live recording of the show➝.
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.
Christopher Scott
“Before the Summer Ends” – Dracula
“Dreamer in Disguise” – Carrie
“Flying Home” – Songs for a New World
“I’ll Be There” – The Pirate Queen
“Sarah” – The Civil War
Ellen Scott
“Back to Before” – Ragtime
“Do It Alone” – Parade
“Someone Else’s Story” – Chess
“Someone Like You” – Jekyll & Hyde
“Where Is the Warmth?” – The Baker’s Wife
Gigi Van Tranh
“God Help The Outcasts” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
“I Dreamed a Dream” – Les Misérables
“Maybe I Like It This Way” – The Wild Party
“Woman” – The Pirate Queen
“You Don’t Know This Man” – Parade
John Thomas
“Anthem” – Chess
“Into the Fire” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“Love Changes Everything” – Aspects of Love
“Sunset Boulevard” – Sunset Boulevard
“This Is the Moment” – Jekyll & Hyde
Kim
“A New Life” – Jekyll & Hyde
“How Did I Get to Where I Am?” – Marguerite
“On My Own” – Les Misérables
“The Sea of Life” – The Pirate Queen
“When Will Someone Hear?” – Martin Guerre
The Engineer
“Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc.” – Ragtime [in your natural accent]
“Dog Eats Dog” – Les Misérables
“La Cage aux Folles” – La Cage aux Folles
“Master of the House” – Les Misérables
“Where I Want to Be” – Chess
Thuy
“Intoxication” – Marguerite
“I’m Martin Guerre” – Martin Guerre
“Javert’s Suicide” – Les Misérables
“Pity the Child” – Chess
“What’s Left of Love?” – Marguerite
Ensemble (Altos)
“The Face I See” – Marguerite
“Unexpected Song” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“With One Look” – Sunset Boulevard
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Drink With Me” – Les Misérables
“Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” – Les Misérables
“The Greatest Star of All” – Sunset Boulevard
Ensemble (Basses)
“There’s Always One You Can’t Forget” – Dance a Little Closer
“Wheels of a Dream” – Ragtime
“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
Ensemble (Contras)
“As If We Never Said Goodbye” – Sunset Boulevard
“Living in the Shadows” – Victor/Victoria
“My Body Wasn’t Why” – The Glorious Ones
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Anything But Lonely” – Aspects of Love
“China Doll” – Marguerite
“How Many Tears?” – Martin Guerre
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Children of the Wind” – Rags
“No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde
“When There’s No One” – Carrie
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Bring Him Home” – Les Misérables
“I Need to Know” – Jekyll & Hyde
“No Moon” – Titanic
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Miss Saigon:
• “I Can’t Trust Anything➝” from Watson Intelligence (Eliza)
• “It’s All Our Fault➝” from The Columnist (Halberstam)
• “It’s Best➝” from Elsewhere➝
• “It’s Never One Thing➝” from Shows for Days (Irene)
• “Some People Get Locked Up➝” from Pretty Theft➝ (Joe)
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!
Miss Saigon Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Miss Saigon, 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:
“Backstage Dreamland” – Gigi, Kim, The Engineer, Ensemble
“The Heat Is On In Saigon” – The Engineer, Kim, John, Chris, Gigi, Ensemble
“The Movie in My Mind” – Gigi, Kim, Ensemble
“The Transaction” – The Engineer, John, Chris, Kim, Ensemble
“The Dance” – Kim, The Engineer, Chris
“Why God Why?” – Chris
“This Money’s Yours” – Chris, Kim
“Sun and Moon” – Chris, Kim
“The Telephone Song” – Chris, John
“The Deal” – The Engineer, Chris
“The Wedding Ceremony” – Gigi, Kim, Chris, Ensemble
“Thuy’s Intervention” – Thuy, Chris, Kim
“Last Night of the World” – Chris, Kim
“The Morning of the Dragon” – Soldiers, The Engineer, Thuy, Ensemble
“I Still Believe” – Kim, Ellen
“Coo-Coo Princess” – The Engineer, Kim, Thuy, Ensemble
“Thuy’s Death” – Thuy, Kim
“This is the Hour” – Ensemble
“If You Want to Die in Bed” – The Engineer
“Kim & Engineer” – Kim, The Engineer
“I’d Give My Life for You” – Kim
Act 2:
“Bui Doi” – John, Ensemble
“The Revelation” – Chris, John
“What a Waste” – The Engineer, Ensemble
“Too Much For One Heart” – John, Kim
“Kim’s Nightmare” – Thuy, Chris, Kim, John, Ensemble
“Sun and Moon (Reprise)” – Kim
“Room 317” – Kim, Ellen
“Now That I’ve Seen Her” / “Maybe” – Ellen
“The Confrontation” – Chris, Ellen, John, Kim
“Paper Dragons” – The Engineer, Kim
“The American Dream” – The Engineer, Ensemble
“Finale” – Chris, Kim
Which of these audition songs for Miss Saigon 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 holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.