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.
Since Side Show is a 1990s musical, the following songs are from musicals between the 1980s-2010s. In addition, there are lots of jazzy and dramatic song choices included below 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.
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 (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.
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
“Patriotic” – Rocky
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)
“Every Time You Smiled at Me” – Nunsense Jamboree
“Once More I Can See” – Wonderland
“Maybe I Like It This Way” – The Wild Party
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days
“If I Left London” – Chaplin
“Where Are All the People?” – Chaplin
Ensemble (Basses)
“In the Ring” – Rocky
“Night Will Come” – Groundhog Day
“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
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 (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Even Though” – I Love You Because
“I Couldn’t Know Someone Less” – Daddy Long Legs
“Look At Me Now” – The Wild Party
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“How Will I Know?” – Death Takes a Holiday
“What Only Love Can See” – Chaplin
“Will You?” – Grey Gardens
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“Sennett Song” – Chaplin
“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 holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.