The Best Audition Songs for Nine – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Nine? 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 Nine, broken down by character.
Since Nine is a musical from the 1980s, the following songs are from shows between the 1970s-1990s as well. In addition, there are lots of dramatic and passionate vibes below 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.
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 through the synopsis while listening to the Nine cast album➝.
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, decide which character you’d like to audition for. And finally, choose a suitable song from the list below!
Carla
“Lost and Found” – City of Angels
“No Man Left for Me” – The Will Rogers Follies
“Only Love” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“Tom” – Hello Again
Guido
“At the Grand Hotel” – Grand Hotel
“If the World Were Like the Movies” – My Favorite Year
“No One Has Ever Loved Me” – Passion
“The Greatest Star of All” – Sunset Boulevard
Luisa
“Loving You” – Passion
“The Last Man in My Life” – Tell Me on a Sunday
“There Is More to Love” – Aspects of Love
“With One Look” – Sunset Boulevard
Young Guido
“I Want to Know” – Big
“No Matter What” – Whistle Down the Wind
“Round-Shouldered Man” – The Secret Garden
“The Beautiful Day” – Scrooge!
Ensemble (Altos)
“A New Life” – Jekyll & Hyde
“How Did I End Up Here?” – Romance/Romance
“Someone Like You” – Jekyll & Hyde
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Dressing Them Up” – Kiss of the Spider Woman
“She’s a Woman” – Kiss of the Spider Woman
“Words He Doesn’t Say” – Romance/Romance
Ensemble (Basses)
“Funny” – City of Angels
“I Waltz Alone” – Grand Hotel
“Other Pleasures” – Aspects of Love
Ensemble (Contras)
“As If We Never Said Goodbye” – Sunset Boulevard
“Living in the Shadows” – Victor/Victoria
“What You Need” – Grand Hotel
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Autumn” – Starting Here, Starting Now
“Anything But Lonely” – Aspects of Love
“The Night It Had to End” – Romance/Romance
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Believe” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“Melodie de Paris” – Phantom
“No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Won’t Send Roses” – Mack & Mabel
“Love Can’t Happen” – Grand Hotel
“Love Changes Everything” – Aspects of Love
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Nine:
• “Aguinaldo: Mark Twain in Purgatory” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “Do You Know➝” from The Cradle Song➝
• “Going Mad➝” from Always Ridiculous➝
• “Personal➝” from Always Ridiculous➝
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!
Nine Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Nine, 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:
“Overture Delle Donne” – Company
“Not Since Chaplin” – Company
“Guido’s Song” – Guido
“My Husband Makes Movies” – Luisa
“A Call from the Vatican” – Carla
“Only With You” – Guido
“The Script” – Guido
“Folies Bergeres” – Lilli, Stephanie, Company
“Nine” – Guido’s Mother, Company
“Ti Voglio Bene” / “Be Italian” – Saraghina, Company
“The Bells of St. Sebastian” – Guido, Company
Act 2:
“A Man Like You” / “Unusual Way” / “Contini Submits” – Claudia, Guido
“The Grand Canal” – Guido, Company
“Simple” – Carla
“Be On Your Own” – Luisa
“Not Since Chaplin (Reprise)” – Company
“I Can’t Make This Movie” – Guido
“Getting Tall” – Young Guido
“Long Ago” / “Nine (Reprise)” – Guido, Young Guido, Luisa
Which of these audition songs for Nine 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.