The Best Audition Songs for Newsies – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Newsies? 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 Newsies, broken down by character.
Since Newsies is a contemporary musical based on a 1992 film, the songs below are from between the 1990s-2010s. In addition, there is a youthful/energetic vibe to many of the following songs 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.
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 Newsies 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.
Crutchie
“Extraordinary” – Pippin
“Go the Distance” – Hercules [1990s film/non-theatre]
“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
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 [1990s film/non-theatre]
“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
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
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:
• “A Thirteen-Year-Old Maid” in Young Women’s Monologues from Contemporary Plays➝
• “Come and Find Me➝” from The Silver Box➝ (Jones)
• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry➝ (Oldbutton)
• “Playing With Fired” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “We’ll Figure It Out” in Monologues for Kids and Tweens➝
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!
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! 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:
“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
Which of these audition songs for Newsies 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.