The Best Audition Songs for Something Rotten! – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Something Rotten!? 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 Something Rotten!, by character.
Since Something Rotten! Is a contemporary musical, the songs below are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, many of the following are comedic or character pieces 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.
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 Something Rotten! 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.
Beatrice/Bea
“Better” – Little Women
“Live Out Loud” – A Little Princess
“My Grand Plan” – The Lightning Thief
“Notice Me, Horton” – Seussical The Musical
Nick
“Gotta Get Out” – The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes
“Look at the Sky” – Urinetown
“Man” – The Full Monty
“Betrayed” – The Producers
Nigel
“A Christmas Song” – Elf
“Her Voice” – The Little Mermaid
“Just Like Him” – Elf
“Purpose” – Avenue Q
Portia
“I Love Play Rehearsal” – Be More Chill
“My Friend, The Dictionary” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
“Sing Your Own Song” – Dear Edwina
“There’s a Fine, Fine Line” – Avenue Q
Thomas Nostradamus
“A Day for the Cat In the Hat” – Seussical
“Everything’s Golden” – Tuck Everlasting
“How Lucky You Are” – Seussical
“I Wanna Be a Producer” – The Producers
William Shakespeare
“Jeff Sums It Up” – Tootsie
“Man” – The Full Monty
“Unstoppable” – Tootsie
“Whaddya Do” – Tootsie
Ensemble (Altos)
“Never Fall in Love (With an Elf)” – Elf
“The Lady’s Improving” – The Prom
“What’s Gonna Happen” – Tootsie
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Man About Town” – Young Frankenstein
“Michael’s Reprise” – Tootsie
“That Face” – The Producers
Ensemble (Basses)
“Love Sneaks In” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
“Please Send Me Someone” – Young Frankenstein
“We Look to You” – The Prom
Ensemble (Contras)
“It’s Not About Me” – The Prom
“Thank God She’s Blind” – The Toxic Avenger
“There Was John” – Tootsie
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Please Don’t Touch Me” – Young Frankenstein
“The History of Wrong Guys” – Kinky Boots
“Watch What Happens” – Newsies
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“It’s a Privilege to Pee” – Urinetown
“No One Cared Like You” – Nunsense II
“What Only Love Can See” – Chaplin
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Don’t Let Me Go” – Shrek
“Run, Freedom, Run!” – Urinetown
“Together Again” – Young Frankenstein
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Something Rotten!:
• “Actor!” in Audition Monologues for Young Men➝
• “I Intend to Be a Queen➝” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy)
• “Ismene” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry➝ (Oldbutton)
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
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!
Something Rotten! Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Something Rotten!, 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:
“Welcome to the Renaissance” – Minstrel, Company
“God, I Hate Shakespeare” – Nick, Nigel, Ensemble
“Right Hand Man” – Bea, Nick, Nigel
“God, I Hate Shakespeare (Reprise)” – Nick
“A Musical” – Nostradamus, Nick, Ensemble
“I Love the Way” – Portia, Nigel
“Will Power” – Shakespeare, Ensemble
“Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top” – Nick, Company
Act 2:
“Welcome to the Renaissance (Reprise)” – Minstrel
“Hard to Be the Bard” – Shakespeare, Ensemble
“It’s Eggs!” – Nick, Ensemble
“We See the Light” – Portia, Nigel, Brother Jeremiah, Nick, Ensemble
“To Thine Own Self” – Nigel, Nick, Shakespeare, Ensemble
“Right Hand Man (Reprise)” – Bea
“Something Rotten!” – Ensemble
“Make an Omelette” – Nick, Company
“To Thine Own Self (Reprise)” – Nick
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Something Rotten 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.