The Best Audition Songs for Newsies – By Character
When considering audition songs for Newsies, it’s fitting to choose an upbeat song from musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because Newsies premiered in 2011, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1990s and 2020s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
Step 1: Review Audition Info
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.
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 Newsies.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for Newsies
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Crutchie
“Extraordinary” – Pippin
“Go the Distance” – Hercules
“It Just Wasn’t Meant to Happen” – Calvin Berger
“Top of the World” – Tuck Everlasting
Davey Jacobs
“Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin
“Seventeen” – Tuck Everlasting
“Take a Chance on Me” – Little Women
“When the Booth Goes Bright” – Amélie
Jack Kelly
“Everything to Win” – Anastasia
“My Manhattan” – Daddy Long Legs
“My Petersburg” – Anastasia
“Nicky Machiavelli” – A Bronx Tale
Joseph Pulitzer
“How I Am” – Little Women
“What’s Up, Duloc?” – Shrek
“Who’s the Man” – The Witches of Eastwick
“Wonderful” – Wicked
Katherine Plumber
“Better” – Little Women
“Right Hand Man” – Something Rotten!
“Sister’s Pickle” – Amélie
“So Much Better” – Legally Blonde
Medda Larkin
“All Falls Down” – Chaplin
“Jazz Time” – Marguerite
“Long As I’m Here With You” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
“No Man Left for Me” – The Will Rogers Follies
🎭 Do you know your casting type? Take our free Character Archetype Quiz to find out if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Crossing a Bridge” – Anastasia
“Not for the Life of Me” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
“The Fire Within Me” – Little Women
Ensemble (Baritones/Basses)
“I Am My Own Invention” – Wonderland
“One Last Hope” – Hercules
“One Step Closer” – The Little Mermaid
Ensemble (Contras)
“Can You Imagine That?” – Mary Poppins Returns [2010s film/non-theatre]
“I Won’t Say I’m in Love” – Hercules [1990s film/non-theatre]
“Only in New York” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Beyond My Wildest Dreams” – The Little Mermaid
“The Oldest Orphan” – Daddy Long Legs
“The Speed Test” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Larger Than Life” – My Favorite Year
“One Track Mind” – Sweet Smell of Success
“What Do I Need With Love?” – Thoroughly Modern Millie
Ensemble (Trebles/Children)
“Electricity” – Billy Elliot
“Whatcha Gonna Do?” – Chaplin
“When I Get My Name in Lights” – The Boy From Oz
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Newsies:
• “I Can’t Write” from The Genius
• “My First Winter” from Haymarket Eight
• “Paper Route” from Born Yesterday
• “Squirrel In a Cage” from The Silver Box
• “That Awful Place” from The Children’s Hour
Step 5: Audition Prep
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
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Newsies Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Newsies, 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! This 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:
“Santa Fe (Prologue)” – Jack, Crutchie
“Carrying the Banner” – Jack, Crutchie, Ensemble
“The Bottom Line” – Pulitzer, Bunsen, Seitz, Hannah
“That’s Rich” – Medda
“I Never Planned on You” / “Don’t Come A-Knocking” – Jack, Ensemble
“The World Will Know” – Jack, Davey, Crutchie, Ensemble
“Watch What Happens” – Katherine
“Seize the Day” – Davey, Jack, Newsies, Crutchie
“Santa Fe” – Jack
Act 2:
“King of New York” – Davey, Les, Newsies, Katherine
“Letter from The Refuge” – Crutchie
“Watch What Happens (Reprise)” – Jack, Davey, Les, Katherine
“The Bottom Line (Reprise)” – Pulitzer, Seitz, Mayor
“Brooklyn’s Here” – Newsies
“Something to Believe In” – Jack, Katherine
“Once and For All” – Jack, Davey, Katherine, Ensemble
“Finale” – Company
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
