Musical-Specific Audition Songs

The Best Audition Songs for Newsies – By Character

If you’re looking for audition songs for Newsies, it’s best to choose an energetic song from musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song 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 by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.


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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

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: Audition Prep

Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!

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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! 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


Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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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.


Author: Stacy Karyn

Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album ListShe holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

Photo of Stacy Karyn

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