Audition Songs for Side Show – By Character
When considering audition songs for Side Show, it’s fitting to choose a jazzy or dramatic song from 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 Side Show premiered in 1997, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1980s and 2010s. 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 Side Show.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether you’d like to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Just know that if you audition for a specific character, you still might not be chosen for that particular role.
Be sure to indicate that you’re open to the ensemble or other roles. You’ll gain valuable experience no matter where you’re placed. And remember, even if you audition for the ensemble, you could still be cast in a leading or supporting role.
To summarize, keep an open mind and have fun with this! And when you’re ready, choose the song that you feel most comfortable with from the list below.
The Audition Songs
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: 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!
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
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
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.
