The Best Audition Songs for Once Upon a Mattress – By Character
Last Updated: June 11, 2025
Do you have an upcoming audition for Once Upon a Mattress? 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 Once Upon a Mattress, broken down by character.
Since Once Upon a Mattress is a 1950s musical, the following songs are from the 1940s – 1960s. There are also lots of light-hearted selections below to match the musical’s style.
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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 Once Upon a Mattress.
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.
Jester
“A Little Gossip” – Man of La Mancha
“Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
“Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning” – This Is the Army
“The Big Black Giant” – Me and Juliet
Lady Larkin
“Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” – Carnival
“Mira” – Carnival!
“Mister Snow” – Carousel
“Yes, My Heart” – Carnival!
Minstrel
“Anne of Green Gables” – Anne of Green Gables
“I Love To Cry At Weddings” – Sweet Charity
“Once Upon a Time” – All American
“The Prince Is Giving a Ball / Now’s the Time” – Cinderella
Prince Dauntless
“The Heather on the Hill” – Brigadoon
“Love, I Hear” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
“Real Live Girl” – Little Me
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Princess Winnifred (Fred)
“A Quiet Thing” – Flora, the Red Menace
“Feelings” – The Apple Tree
“Gorgeous” – The Apple Tree
“You Mustn’t Be Discouraged” – Fade Out – Fade In
Queen Aggravain
“If He Walked Into My Life” – Mame
“It’s a Lovely Day Tomorrow” – Louisiana Purchase
“The Man in the Moon” – Mame
“Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair?” – Goldilocks
Sir Harry
“Asking For You” – Do Re Mi
“There But For You Go I” – Brigadoon
“Wooden Wedding” – One Touch of Venus
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Ensemble (Altos)
“Be Kind to Your Parents” – Fanny
“Distant Melody” – Peter Pan
“I’m Not At All In Love” – The Pajama Game
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Comedy Tonight” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
“Shall I Take My Heart” – Goldilocks
“She’s My Love” – Carnival!
Ensemble (Basses)
“How to Handle a Woman” – Camelot
“Ridin’ on the Moon” – St. Louis Woman
“What Chance Have I With Love?” – Louisiana Purchase
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Never Know When” – Goldilocks
“Never Never Land” – Peter Pan
“The Beast In You” – Goldilocks
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“He Was Tall” – Cinderella
“How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” – Finian’s Rainbow
“Sing Happy” – Flora, the Red Menace
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“So Far” – Allegro
“The Princess of Pure Delight” – Lady in the Dark
“There’s Music in You” – Cinderella
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Geraniums in the Winder” – Carousel
“Old Devil Moon” – Finian’s Rainbow
“The Flower Garden of My Heart” – Pal Joey
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Once Upon a Mattress:
• “Aguinaldo: Mark Twain in Purgatory” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “Fifty-Two From Sixty-Four➝” from The Forced Marriage ➝
• “I Intend to Be a Queen➝” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy)
• “Parade” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve gathered your materials and studied the show, it’s time to start preparing. Need help? Here’s a FREE audition prep checklist to stay organized for future auditions!
Once Upon a Mattress Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Once Upon a Mattress, 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:
“Many Moons Ago” – Minstrel
“An Opening For a Princess” – Prince Dauntless, Lady Larken, Ensemble
“In a Little While” – Sir Harry, Lady Larken
“On a Stormy Night” – Minstrel
“Shy” – Princess Winnifred, Ensemble
“The Minstrel, the Jester, and I” – Minstrel, Jester, King Sextimus
“Sensitivity” – Queen Aggravain, Wizard
“The Swamps of Home” – Princess Winnifred, Prince Dauntless, Ensemble
“Normandy” – Minstrel, Lady Larken, Jester
“Song of Love” – Prince Dauntless, Princess Winnifred, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Quiet” – Queen Aggravain, Minstrel, Jester, Ensemble
“Goodnight, Sweet Princess” – Prince Dauntless, Ensemble
“Happily Ever After” – Princess Winnifred
“Man to Man Talk” – Prince Dauntless
“Very Soft Shoes” – Jester
“Yesterday I Loved You” – Sir Harry, Lady Larken
“Lullaby” – Queen Aggravain, Princess Winnifred, Ensemble
“Finale” – Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these Once Upon a Mattress audition songs 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 List. She holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
