The Best Audition Songs for Smokey Joe’s Cafe – by Vocal Type
Do you have an upcoming audition for Smokey Joe’s Cafe? 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 Smokey Joe’s Cafe, broken down by vocal tyope
Since Smokey Joe’s Cafe is a musical revue featuring music between the 1950s-1960s, none of the following songs are from traditional musical theatre repertoire. All of the songs below are either from non-theatre pop/rock songs from the 1950s-1960s or from jukebox musicals 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 “Smokey Joe’s Cafe 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 read through the synopsis while listening to the Smokey Joe’s Cafe cast album➝.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, choose a suitable song from the list below!
Altos
“Be Anything” – Connie Francis
“Dancing in the Street” – Martha and the Vandellas
“I Only Want to Be With You” – Dusty Springfield
Baritones
“Because” – The Dave Clark Five
“I’m a Man” – Bo Diddley
“I’m Into Something Good” – Herman’s Hermits
Basses
“Crackin’ Up” – Bo Diddley
“Little Sister” – Elvis Presley
“Three Steps to Heaven” – Eddie Cochran
Contras
“Don’t Make Me Over” – Dionne Warwick
“Earth Angel” – The Penguins
“I Wish It Would Rain” – Ain’t Too Proud/The Temptations
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Mezzo-Sopranos
“Downtown” – Petula Clark
“I’m Ready for Love” – Martha and the Vandellas
“Sincerely” – The McGuire Sisters
Sopranos
“Am I the Same Girl?” – Dusty Springfield
“Band of Gold” – Freda Payne
“My Boyfriend’s Back” – Jersey Boys
Tenors
“Lucille” – Jerry Lee Lewis
“Pills” – Bo Diddley
“The Way You Do The Things You Do” – Ain’t Too Proud
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for :
• “Album” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Harvey and I➝” from Harvey (Elwood)
• “Hear That Song?➝” from Ohio (Cat)
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “Johnny Talks Kids➝” from Frankie and Johnny… (Johnny)
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!
Which of these audition songs for Smokey Joe’s Cafe did you choose?
And how did your audition go? 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.