The Best Audition Songs for Oklahoma! – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Oklahoma!? 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 Oklahoma!, broken down by character.
Since Oklahoma! is a golden age musical, the songs below are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. Additionally, many of the following songs have a hint of country in them 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 libretto for Oklahoma!➝ while listening to the Oklahoma! 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, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
Ado Annie
“A Cockeyed Optimist” – South Pacific
“How Can I Wait?” – Paint Your Wagon
“I Got the Sun in the Morning” – Annie Get Your Gun
“You Can’t Get a Man” – Annie Get Your Gun
Ali Hakim
* Since this is a speaking-heavy role, these songs feature both speech and singing.
“I Am Free” – Zorba!
“Seventy Six Trombones” – The Music Man
“The First Time” – Zorba!
“The Sadder But Wiser Girl” – The Music Man
Aunt Eller
“Isn’t It?” – Saturday Night
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream
Curley
“That’s For Me” – State Fair
“There But For You Go I” – Brigadoon
“Waitin’ for the Light to Shine” – Big River
“Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific
Jud Fry
“Boy for Sale” – Oliver!
“Geraniums in the Winder” – Carousel
“Soliloquy” – Carousel
“The Highest Judge of All” – Carousel
Laurey
“How Lovely to Be a Woman” – Bye Bye Birdie
“So Far” – Allegro
“This Is All Very New to Me” – Plain and Fancy
“What’s the Use of Wond’rin’?” – Carousel
Will Parker
“All I Owe Ioway” – State Fair
“Once in Love With Amy” – Where’s Charley?
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
Ensemble (Altos)
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“Doatsy Mae” – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
“I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song
Ensemble (Baritones)
“I’ll Never Say No” – The Unsinkable Molly Brown
“Shall I Take My Heart” – Goldilocks
“They Call the Wind Maria” – Paint Your Wagon
Ensemble (Basses)
“I Still See Elisa” – Paint Your Wagon
“My Defenses Are Down” – Annie Get Your Gun
“Wand’rin’ Star” – Paint Your Wagon
Ensemble (Contras)
“A Little Girl from Little Rock” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“Lazy Afternoon” – The Golden Apple
“Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair?” – Goldilocks
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I Ain’t Down Yet” – The Unsinkable Molly Brown
“I Got Lost in His Arms” – Annie Get Your Gun
“We Deserve Each Other” – Me and Juliet
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I Have to Tell You” – Fanny
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Carousel
“Waitin’ for My Dearie” – Brigadoon
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Fanny” – Fanny
“Old Devil Moon” – Finian’s Rainbow
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Oklahoma!:
• “Goin’ North” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “Little Victories” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Jugger’s Rain #1” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “What Truth?” from The Cherry Orchard➝
• “Wilderness of Mirrors” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
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!
Oklahoma! Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Oklahoma! 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:
“Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” – Curly
“Laurey’s Entrance” – Laurey
“The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” – Curly, Laurey, Aunt Eller
“Kansas City” – Will Parker, Ensemble
“I Cain’t Say No” – Ado Annie
“Many a New Day” – Laurey, Ensemble
“It’s a Scandal! It’s a Outrage!” – Ali Hakim, Ensemble
“People Will Say We’re in Love” – Curly, Laurey
“Pore Jud Is Daid” – Curly, Jud
“Lonely Room” – Jud
“Out of My Dreams” – Laurey, Ensemble
Act 2:
“The Farmer and the Cowman” – Andrew, Aunt Eller, Will, Curley, Ado Annie, Laurey, Ensemble
“All Er Nuthin'” – Will, Ado Annie
“People Will Say We’re in Love (Reprise)” – Curly, Laurey
“Oklahoma” – Aunt Eller, Andrew, Laurey, Curly, Ensemble
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Oklahoma! 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.