Audition Songs for Sunset Boulevard – By Character
Last Updated: January, 2026
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 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 Sunset Boulevard.
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 range, decide whether you’d prefer to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Even if you audition for a specific role, stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and comfort level.
From Our Shop: Don’t forget to keep your rep book updated! To build a personalized audition binder for your specific vocal type, check out our collection of DIY Rep Books.
The Audition Songs
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
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
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
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
Ensemble (Altos)
“Let Me Finish” – Song and Dance
“Someone Like You” – Jekyll & Hyde
“The Face I See” – Marguerite
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Dressing Them Up” – Kiss of the Spider Woman
“No One Has Ever Loved Me” – Passion
“Unsettled Scores” – Whistle Down the Wind
Ensemble (Basses)
“I Waltz Alone” – Grand Hotel
“Other Pleasures” – Aspects of Love
“Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
Ensemble (Contras)
“Another Winter in a Summer Town” – Grey Gardens
“Be On Your Own” – Nine
“Living in the Shadows” – Victor/Victoria
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Only Love” – The Scarlet Pimpernel
“Pink” – War Paint
“When the World Was Mine” – The Count of Monte Cristo
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Happiness” – Passion
“How Could I Ever Know?” – The Secret Garden
“No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Before the Summer Ends” – Dracula
“Live With Somebody You Love” – Martin Guerre
“No Moon” – Titanic
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Sunset Boulevard:
• “I Can’t Trust Anything➝” from Watson Intelligence (Eliza)
• “I Don’t Want to Be an Actress➝” from Snakebit (Jenifer)
• “Play Memory” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “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!
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! 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:
“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
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
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.
