Audition Songs for On the Town – By Character
When considering audition songs for On the Town, it’s fitting to choose an upbeat song from Golden Age 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 On the Town premiered in 1944, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1930s and 1950s. 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 comedic, 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 about On the Town.
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 range, decide whether you’d prefer to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Even if you audition for a specific role, stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and comfort level.
The Audition Songs
Chip
“Blah, Blah, Blah” – Nice Work If You Can Get It
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
“That Great Come-and-Get-It Day“ – Finian’s Rainbow
“Too Close for Comfort” – Mr. Wonderful
Claire de Loone
“Experiment” – Nymph Errant
“Poor Little Pierrette” – The Boy Friend
“The Princess of Pure Delight” – Lady in the Dark
“Use Your Imagination” – Out of This World
Gabey
“All Through the Night” – Anything Goes
“Along With Me” – Call Me Mister
“That’s for Me” – State Fair
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Hildy Esterhazy
“Honey Bun” – South Pacific
“Shopping Around” – Wish You Were Here
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
“We Deserve Each Other” – Me and Juliet
Judge Pitkin
“Restless Heart” – Fanny
“There Never Was a Woman” – Goldilocks
“This Nearly Was Mine” – South Pacific
“Welcome Home” – Fanny
Ozzie
“Don’t Cry” – The Most Happy Fella
“Joey, Joey, Joey” – The Most Happy Fella
“The Big Black Giant” – Me and Juliet
“There’s Nowhere to Go But Up” – Knickerbocker Holiday
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Cockeyed Optimist” – South Pacific
“Buddie Beware” – Anything Goes
“Grant Avenue” – Flower Drum Song
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Gotta Dance” – Look Ma, I’m Dancin’!
“Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning” – This Is the Army
“The Red Ball Express” – Call Me Mister
Ensemble (Basses)
“Easy to Love” – Anything Goes
“What a Waste” – Wonderful Town
“What Do I Care for a Dame?” – Pal Joey
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Get a Kick Out of You” – Anything Goes
“I’ve Still Got My Health” – Panama Hattie
“One Hundred Easy Ways” – Wonderful Town
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“A Little Bit in Love” – Wonderful Town
“Delishious” – Nice Work If You Can Get It
“I’m the First Girl in the Second Row” – Look Ma, I’m Dancin’!
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“If I Were a Bell” – Guys and Dolls
“Mr. Wonderful” – Mr. Wonderful
“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Left My Heart At the Stage Door Canteen” – This Is the Army
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
“Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for On the Town:
• “In a Minute” from The Anniversary➝ (Tatiana)
• “Marriage” from Sweet and Twenty➝ (The Agent)
• “Very Well➝” from Enemies➝ (She)
• “You’re Quite a Girl➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
• “You’ve Got to Come Back a Star➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
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!
On the Town Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in On the Town 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 I:
“I Feel Like I’m Not Out of Bed Yet” – Ensemble
“New York, New York” – Ozzie, Chip, Gabey
“Gabey’s Comin'” – Gabey, Ozzie, Chip, Ensemble
“Presentation of Miss Turnstiles” – Ensemble
“Come Up to My Place” – Hildy, Chip
“Carried Away” – Claire, Ozzie
“Carried Away (Encore)” – Claire, Ozzie
“Lonely Town” – Gabey, Ensemble
“Carnegie Hall Pavane (Do-Do-Re-Do)” – Ensemble
“I Understand” – Pitkin
“I Can Cook Too” – Hildy
“Lucky to Be Me” – Gabey, Company
“Finale Act I” – Company
Act II:
“So Long, Baby” – Ensemble
“I Wish I Was Dead” – Diana Dream
“I Wish I Was Dead (Spanish)” – Senorita Dolores Dolores
“Ya Got Me” – Hildy, Claire, Ozzie, Chip
“Ya Got Me (Encore)” – Hildy, Claire, Ozzie, Chip
“I Understand (Pitkin’s Song)” – Pitkin
“Subway Ride / Imaginary Coney Island” – Gabey, Ivy, Ensemble
“Some Other Time” – Claire, Hildy, Ozzie, Chip
“The Real Coney Island” – Rajah Bimmy
“Finale Act II” – Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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.
