Musical-Specific Audition Songs

The Best Audition Songs for Sweeney Todd – by Character

Do you have an upcoming audition for Sweeney Todd? 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 Sweeney Todd, broken down by character.

Since Sweeney Todd is a 1970s musical, the following songs are from between the 1960s – 1990s. There are also lots of Sondheim selections below to match the musical’s style.


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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 Sondheim, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your 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 Sweeney Todd.


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.


Adolfo Pirelli

Bolero de Amor” – Copacabana

Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc.” – Ragtime

I’ll Be Here Tomorrow” – The Grand Tour

You Can Get Away With Anything” – The Woman in White


Anthony Hope

Later” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]

Not a Day Goes By” – Merrily We Roll Along [Sondheim]

Proud Lady” – The Baker’s Wife

Someone Is Waiting” – Company [Sondheim]


Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker

As Long As He Needs Me” – Oliver!

Boy for Sale” – Oliver! [in soprano]

Stay With Me” – Into the Woods

The Gypsy” – Jane Eyre


Johanna Barker

In My Life” – Les Misérables

Moonfall” – The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Soon” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]

The Light in the Piazza” – The Light in the Piazza


Judge Turpin

If I Can’t Love Her” – Beauty and the Beast

Now” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]

Stars” – Les Misérables

Where’s the Girl?” – The Scarlet Pimpernel


Mrs. Lovett

Children and Art” – Sunday in the Park with George [Sondheim]

Children Will Listen” – Into the Woods [Sondheim]

Every Day a Little Death” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]

How Did I End Up Here?” – Romance/Romance


Sweeney Todd

A Man Could Go Quite Mad” – The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Alive!” – Jekyll & Hyde

In Every Age” – Titanic

Is This What You Call Love?” – Passion [Sondheim]


Tobias Ragg

Giants in the Sky” – Into the Woods [Sondheim]

I’d Do Anything” – Oliver!

Little People” – Les Misérables

My Best Girl” – Mame


Ensemble (Altos)

In Buddy’s Eyes” – Follies [Sondheim]

Liaisons” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]

Witch’s Lament” – Into the Woods [Sondheim]


Ensemble (Baritones)

In Praise of Women” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]

No One Has Ever Loved Me” – Passion [Sondheim]

You Must Meet My Wife” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]


Ensemble (Basses)

Fear No More” – The Frogs [Sondheim]

How Long Must This Go On?” – Beauty and the Beast

Other Pleasures” – Aspects of Love


Ensemble (Contras)

Last Midnight” – Into the Woods [Sondheim]

Living in the Shadows” – Victor/Victoria

The Miller’s Son” – A Little Night Music [Sondheim]


Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!


Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

I Wish I Could Forget You” – Passion [Sondheim]

Loving You” – Passion [Sondheim]

Take Me to the World” – Evening Primrose [Sondheim]


Ensemble (Sopranos)

Believe” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

Happiness” – Passion [Sondheim/solo version]

I Never Do Anything Twice” – Side by Side by Sondheim [Sondheim]


Ensemble (Tenors)

Confrontation” – Jekyll & Hyde

Love Can’t Happen” – Grand Hotel

She Was There” – The Scarlet Pimpernel


Step 4: Select a monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Sweeney Todd:

• “A Thirteen-Year-Old Maid” in Young Women’s Monologues from Contemporary Plays➝

• “An Illegal Death Warrant➝” from The Strange Gentleman➝

• “MacKenzie #1” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝

• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry➝  (Oldbutton)

• “Personal➝” from Always Ridiculous➝


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!

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Sweeney Todd Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Sweeney Todd, 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:

“The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” – Sweeney Todd, Ensemble

“No Place Like London” – Anthony, Sweeney Todd, Beggar Woman

“The Barber and His Wife” – Sweeney Todd, Anthony

The Worst Pies in London” – Mrs. Lovett

Poor Thing” – Mrs. Lovett

My Friends” – Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd

Green Finch and Linnet Bird” – Johanna

“Ah, Miss” – Anthony, Johanna, Beggar Woman

Johanna” – Anthony

Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir” – Tobias, Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett, Ensemble

The Contest” – Pirelli, Tobias, Sweeney Todd, Ensemble

“The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” – Ensemble

Wait” – Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd

“Kiss Me” – Johanna, Anthony

Ladies in their Sensitivities” – Beadle, Turpin

“Pretty Women” – Sweeney Todd, Turpin, Anthony

“Epiphany” – Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett

“A Little Priest” – Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd


Act 2:

“God, That’s Good!” – Tobias, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, Ensemble

“Johanna (Act II Sequence)” – Anthony, Sweeney Todd, Beggar Woman, Johanna

By the Sea” – Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd

“Wigmaker Sequence: The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” – Sweeney Todd, Anthony, Ensemble

Not While I’m Around” – Tobias, Mrs. Lovett

“Parlour Songs” – Mrs. Lovett, Beadle, Tobias

“City on Fire” – Beggar Woman, Johanna, Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, Ensemble

“Final Sequence” – Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, Tobias, Company

“Epilogue” – Company


Which of these audition songs for Sweeney Todd 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!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.


Stacy Karyn, Author of Audition Songs for Sweeney Todd.
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.


 

4 thoughts on “The Best Audition Songs for Sweeney Todd – by Character

  • I have to say that all these song choices are completely spot on for each character! Sweeney Todd is perhaps one of my favorites.

  • Great choices. Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker is not on your list. Any ideas for her?

    • Good catch! Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker is kind of a tricky one, isn’t she? We just added a few ideas for her and will make sure to update if anything else comes to mind. 🙂

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