The Best Audition Songs for Side Show – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Side Show? 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 Side Show, broken down by character.
Side Show is a pre-contemporary musical that’s set in the 1930s. Because of that, the songs below are from 1985-2015, many of which are also from musicals that are set between the 1920s-1940s.
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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 “Side Show 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 Side Show 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.
Buddy Foster
“Dancing Through Life” – Wicked
“Thin Air” – Amélie
“Whatever” – It Shoulda Been You
“When the Booth Goes Bright” – Amélie
Daisy Hilton
“A Little Bit Less Than” – It Shoulda Been You
“Sister’s Pickle” – Amélie
“Some Things Fall Away” – Alice By Heart
“When the Music Played” – Doctor Zhivago
Jake
“Don’t Take Much” – The Life
“I’ll Be Here” – The Wild Party
“Let Me Drown” – The Wild Party
“She’s My Sister” – Memphis
Terry Connor
“Coffee Shop Nights” – Curtains
“I Cannot Hear the City” – Sweet Smell of Success
“I Miss the Music” – Curtains
“Talent” – Road Show
Violet Hilton
“China Doll” – Marguerite
“How Did We Come to This?” – The Wild Party
“Losing Roberto” – Death Takes a Holiday
“The Face I See” – Marguerite
Sir/The Boss
“If You Want to Die in Bed” – Miss Saigon
“The American Dream” – Miss Saigon
“Where I Want to Be” – Chess
“Who’s the Man” – The Witches of Eastwick
Ensemble (Altos)
“Isn’t He Something!” – Road Show
“Once More I Can See” – Wonderland
“Maybe I Like It This Way” – The Wild Party
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days
“Sennett Song” – Chaplin
“Where Are All the People?” – Chaplin
Ensemble (Basses)
“Out of the Sun” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Night Will Come” – Groundhog Day
“The Life That You Wished For” – Chaplin
Ensemble (Contras)
“All Falls Down” – Chaplin
“Love and Love Alone” – The Visit
“Willing to Ride” – Steel Pier
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos)
“Around the World” – Grey Gardens
“Look At Me Now” – The Wild Party
“The Life of the Party” – The Wild Party
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“How Will I Know?” – Death Takes a Holiday
“Who Is This Man?” – Death Takes a Holiday
“Will You?” – Grey Gardens
Ensemble (Tenors)
“If I Left London” – Chaplin
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“What Is It About Her?” – The Wild Party
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Side Show:
• “Al Capone and Me” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “I Don’t Know➝” from Sun Dried➝ (Mary Louise)
• “Rooms” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
• “You’ve Got to Come Back a Star➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
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!
Side Show Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Side Show, 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.
Act 1:
“Come Look At The Freaks” – Sir, Company
“I’m Daisy, I’m Violet” – Daisy, Violet
“Like Everyone Else” – Daisy, Violet
“Very Well-Connected” – Terry, Buddy
“What Brought Him Here?” – Daisy, Violet, Jake, Ensemble
“The Devil You Know” – Jake, Ensemble
“A Private Exclusive Show” – Buddy
“Typical Girls Next Door” – Daisy, Violet
“You Should Thank Me Everyday” – Daisy, Violet, Ensemble
“Cut Them Apart” – Daisy, Violet, Ensemble
“All in the Mind” – Daisy, Violet, Houdini
“Come See a New Land” – Sir/The Boss, Daisy, Violet, Houdini, Ensemble
“Feelings You’ve Got to Hide” – Daisy, Violet
“Say Goodbye to the Sideshow” – Violet, Daisy, Terry, Jake, Ensemble
“Ready to Play” – Daisy, Violet, Ensemble
“The Interview” – Terry, Daisy, Violet, Ensemble
“Buddy Kissed Me” – Violet, Daisy
“Who Will Love Me As I Am?” – Daisy, Violet, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Stuck With You/Leave Me Alone” – Buddy, Ray, Daisy, Violet
“Private Conversation” – Terry, Daisy
“One Plus One Equals Three” – Buddy, Daisy, Violet, Ray, Ensemble
“You Should Be Loved” – Jake, Violet
“Great Wedding Show” – Company
“I Will Never Leave You” – Violet, Daisy
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Side Show 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.