The Best Audition Songs for My Fair Lady – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for My Fair Lady? 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 My Fair Lady, broken down by character.
Since My Fair Lady is a golden age musical, 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 uptempo, 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 “My Fair Lady 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 My Fair Lady 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.
Alfred Doolittle
“A Wonderful Day Like Today” – The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd
“Heart” – Damn Yankees
“I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight” – Camelot
“The Sadder But Wiser Girl” – The Music Man
Eliza Doolittle
“I Have Confidence” – The Sound of Music
“I Whistle a Happy Tune” – The King and I
“Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?” – The King and I
“This is All Very New to Me” – Plain and Fancy
Freddy Eynsford-Hill
“It Only Takes a Moment” – Hello, Dolly!
“My Time of Day” – Guys and Dolls
“That’s For Me” – State Fair
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
Professor Higgins
“How to Handle a Woman” – Camelot
“If Ever I Would Leave You” – Camelot
“The Seven Deadly Virtues” – Camelot
“With a Flair” – Bedknobs and Broomsticks [non-musical theatre]
Ensemble (Altos)
“I Am Going to Like It Here” – Flower Drum Song
“I’m Not At All In Love” – The Pajama Game
“The Gentleman is a Dope” – Allegro
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Geraniums in the Winder” – Carousel
“I Could Write a Book” – Pal Joey
“What Do I Care for a Dame?” – Pal Joey
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Fellow Needs a Girl” – Allegro
“Welcome Home” – Fanny
“Were Thine That Special Face” – Kiss Me, Kate
Ensemble (Contras)
“Before I Kiss the World Goodbye” – Jennie
“Never Never Land” – Peter Pan
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Be Kind to Your Parents” – Fanny
“I’ll Show Him” – Plain and Fancy
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Before I Gaze at You Again” – Camelot
“If I Were a Bell” – Guys and Dolls
“The Lusty Month of May” – Camelot
Ensemble (Tenors)
“All I Need is the Girl” – Gypsy
“Like a God” – Flower Drum Song
“You Are Beautiful” – Flower Drum Song
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for My Fair Lady:
• “I Shall Go Mad!” from Fourteen➝
• “Ladylike” from Quality Street➝ (Phoebe)
• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry➝ (Oldbutton)
• “Tommy Has Proposed” from An Ideal Husband➝ (Mabel)
• “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!
My Fair Lady Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in My Fair Lady, 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:
“Why Can’t the English?” – Professor Higgins
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” – Eliza, Ensemble
“With a Little Bit of Luck” – Alfred Doolittle, Harry, Jamie
“I’m an Ordinary Man” – Higgins
“With a Little Bit of Luck (Reprise)” – Alfred Doolittle, Ensemble
“Just You Wait” – Eliza
“The Rain in Spain” – Higgins, Eliza, Pickering
“I Could Have Danced All Night” – Eliza, Mrs. Pearce, Ensemble
“Ascot Gavotte” – Ensemble
“On the Street Where You Live” – Freddy
Act 2:
“You Did It” – Pickering, Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Ensemble
“Just You Wait (Reprise)” – Eliza
“On the Street Where You Live (Reprise)” – Freddy
“Show Me” – Freddy, Eliza
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly (Reprise)” – Eliza, Ensemble
“Get Me to the Church on Time” – Alfred Doolittle, Harry, Jamie, Ensemble
“A Hymn to Him” – Higgins
“Without You” – Eliza, Higgins
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – Higgins
Which of these audition songs for My Fair Lady 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.