The Best Audition Songs for Once Upon a Mattress – by Character
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 golden-age musical, the songs below are all from golden-age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there is a timeless vibe to most of the following 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. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “Once Upon a Mattress Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 listen to the Once Upon a Mattress cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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
“Comedy Tonight” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
“The Seven Deadly Virtues” – Camelot
“When the Children Are Asleep” – Carousel
Lady Larkin
“Before I Gaze at You Again” – Camelot
“I Loved You Once in Silence” – Camelot
“Mira” – Carnival!
“The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” – Camelot
Minstrel
“Come to Me, Bend to Me” – Brigadoon
“Love, I Hear” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
“Once Upon a Time” – All American
“You Are Never Away” – Allegro
Prince Dauntless
“Real Live Girl” – Little Me
“She Loves Me” – She Loves Me
“She Touched Me” – Drat! The Cat!
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
Princess Winnifred (Fred)
“I Hate Men” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Ooh! My Feet” – The Most Happy Fella
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
“You Mustn’t Be Discouraged” – Fade Out – Fade In
Queen Aggravain
“Ladies” – Destry Rides Again
“Live and Let Live” – Can-Can [w/ your natural accent]
“Rose’s Turn” – Gypsy
“The Beast in You” – Goldilocks
Sir Harry
“More I Cannot Wish You” – Guys and Dolls
“Never Will I Marry” – Greenwillow
“There But For You Go I” – Brigadoon
“Wooden Wedding” – One Touch of Venus
Ensemble (Altos)
“Distant Melody” – Peter Pan
“I Gotta Crow” – Peter Pan
“The Love of My Life” – Brigadoon
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Geraniums in the Winder” – Carousel
“How to Handle a Woman” – Camelot
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
Ensemble (Basses)
“C’est Moi” – Camelot
“I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight” – Camelot
“If Ever I Would Leave You” – Camelot
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Never Know When” – Goldilocks
“Never Never Land” – Peter Pan
“Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair?” – Goldilocks
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” – Finian’s Rainbow
“I’ll Show Him” – Plain and Fancy
“Secret Love” – Calamity Jane
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“He Was Tall” – Cinderella
“There’s Music in You” – Cinderella
“Waitin’ for My Dearie” – Brigadoon
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Like a God” – Flower Drum Song
“That’s For Me” – State Fair
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
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: 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!
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
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.
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.