The Best Audition Songs for Sunset Boulevard – By Character

When considering audition songs for Sunset Boulevard, it’s fitting to choose a 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 Sunset Boulevard premiered in 1991, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1980s and 2000s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.

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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.

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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 Sunset Boulevard.

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Step 3: Pick an Audition Song

Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.

Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.

When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.

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Audition Songs for Sunset Boulevard

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✨Need more options? The list below gives you a great starting point! The Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio gives you access to thousands of songs, hundreds of monologues, and tools to help you find your casting lane! Explore the Repertoire Studio →

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Betty Schaefer

“In My Life” – Les Misérables

“Jazz Time” – Marguerite

“The Night It Had to End” – Romance/Romance

“Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” – Phantom of the Opera

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Joe Gillis

“Day After That” – Kiss of the Spider Woman

“I’m Martin Guerre” – Martin Guerre

“Into the Fire” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

“Reflection” – A Tale of Two Cities

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Max von Mayerling

“Evermore Without You” – The Woman in White

“Funny” – City of Angels

“I Can’t Recall” – A Tale of Two Cities

“The Longer I Live” – Dracula

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Norma Desmond

“Nothing Like You’ve Ever Known” – Tell Me on a Sunday

“Tell Me on a Sunday” – Tell Me on a Sunday

“The Last Man in My Life” – Tell Me on a Sunday

“Unexpected Song” – Tell Me on a Sunday

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🎭 Not sure what type of character fits you best? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!

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Ensemble (Altos)

“Let Me Finish” – Song and Dance

“Someone Like You” – Jekyll & Hyde

“The Face I See” – Marguerite

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“Dressing Them Up” – Kiss of the Spider Woman

“No One Has Ever Loved Me” – Passion

“Unsettled Scores” – Whistle Down the Wind

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Ensemble (Basses)

“I Waltz Alone” – Grand Hotel

“Other Pleasures” – Aspects of Love

“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

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Ensemble (Contras)

“Another Winter in a Summer Town” – Grey Gardens

“Be On Your Own” – Nine

“Living in the Shadows” – Victor/Victoria

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Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

“Only Love” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

“Pink” – War Paint

“When the World Was Mine” – The Count of Monte Cristo

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Ensemble (Sopranos)

“Happiness” – Passion

“How Could I Ever Know?” – The Secret Garden

“No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Before the Summer Ends” – Dracula

“Live With Somebody You Love” – Martin Guerre

“No Moon” – Titanic

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Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Sunset Boulevard:

• “Anything But Fine” from Red

• “Good Films” from Speed-the-Plow

• “On Stage” from A Life in the Theatre

• “Shetland Pony” from The Light in the Piazza

• “What Do You See?” from Red

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Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools

Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.

Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:

☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added

Grab your free resources on Patreon→

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Sunset Boulevard Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Sunset Boulevard, 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! This 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.

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Act 1:

“Prologue” – Joe

“Let’s Have Lunch” – Joe, Betty, Artie, Sheldrake, Ensemble

“Surrender” – Norma

“With One Look” – Norma

“Salome” – Norma, Joe

“The Greatest Star Of All” – Max

“Girl Meets Boy” – Joe, Betty, Artie

“New Ways To Dream” – Joe, Norma

“The Lady’s Paying” – Norma, Joe, Manfred, Ensemble

“The Perfect Year” – Norma, Joe

“This Time Next Year” – Joe, Betty, Artie, Ensemble

“Auld Lang Syne” – Artie, Betty, Ensemble

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Act 2:

“Sunset Boulevard” – Joe

“There’s Been A Call” – Norma, Joe

“As If We Never Said Goodbye” – Norma

“Paramount Conversations” – Betty, Joe, Sheldrake, Max, Norma, Cecil

“Girl Meets Boy (Reprise)” – Joe, Betty

“A Little Suffering” – Ensemble

“Too Much in Love To Care” – Joe, Betty

“New Ways To Dream (Reprise)” – Max

“The Phone Call” – Norma

“The Final Scene” – Norma, Max, Ensemble

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