Audition Songs for Once Upon a Mattress – By Character
Last Updated: January, 2026
When considering audition songs for Once Upon a Mattress, it’s fitting to choose a lighthearted song from classic 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 Once Upon a Mattress premiered in 1959, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1940s and 1960s. 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 Once Upon a Mattress.
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.
From Our Shop: Don’t forget to keep your rep book updated! To build a personalized audition binder for your specific vocal type, check out our collection of DIY Rep Books.
The Audition Songs
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
“Love, I Hear” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
“Real Live Girl” – Little Me
“The Flower Garden of My Heart” – Pal Joey
“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
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
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
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 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!
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
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.
