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 musical from the 1970s, most of the songs below are from the 1960s -1990s as well. In addition, there are lots of dark and moody vibes included in order to match the style of the show. And for your convenience, the Sondheim songs have been marked below.

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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. And as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:

• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below

• The “Sweeney Todd Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist

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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 libretto for Sweeney Todd➝ while listening to the Sweeney Todd cast album➝.

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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 (and not a specific character), there’s always a chance you might get chosen for a leading/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.

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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

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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)

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Beggar Woman/Lucy Barker

“Come to Me” – Les Misérables

“Lovely Ladies” – Les Misérables  [sing all parts]

“The Rumor” – Fiddler on the Roof  [sing all parts]

“Who Will Buy?” – Oliver!  [sing any/all parts]

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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

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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

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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)

“In Buddy’s Eyes” – Follies  (Sondheim)

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Sweeney Todd

“Alive!” – Jekyll & Hyde

“In Every Age” – Titanic

“Is This What You Call Love?” – Passion  (Sondheim)

“Hello, Little Girl” – Into the Woods  (Sondheim)

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Tobias Ragg

“Giants in the Sky” – Into the Woods  (Sondheim)

“I’d Do Anything” – Oliver!

“Little People” – Les Misérables

“My Best Girl” – Mame

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Ensemble (Altos)

“Goodbye for Now” – Reds  (Sondheim/film)

“Liaisons” – A Little Night Music  (Sondheim)

“The Miller’s Son” – A Little Night Music  (Sondheim)

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“Finishing the Hat” – Sunday in the Park with George  (Sondheim)

“In Praise of Women” – A Little Night Music  (Sondheim)

“No One Has Ever Loved Me” – Passion  (Sondheim)

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Ensemble (Basses)

“Falcon in the Dive” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

“Fear No More” – The Frogs  (Sondheim)

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

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Ensemble (Contras)

“Last Midnight” – Into the Woods  (Sondheim)

“Living in the Shadows” – Victor/Victoria

“Where is the Warmth?” – The Baker’s Wife

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

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Ensemble (Mezzos)

“I Wish I Could Forget You” – Passion  (Sondheim)

“Loving You” – Passion  (Sondheim)

“Take Me to the World” – Evening Primrose  (Sondheim)

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Ensemble (Sopranos)

“Happiness” – Passion  (Sondheim/Solo Version)

“I Never Do Anything Twice” – Side by Side by Sondheim  (Sondheim)

“Simple” – Nine

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“Love Can’t Happen” – Grand Hotel

“Made of Stone” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame

“She Was There” – The Scarlet Pimpernel

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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➝

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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!

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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.

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Act 1:

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

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

“The Barber and His Wife” – Todd, Anthony

“The Worst Pies in London” – Mrs. Lovett

“Poor Thing” – Mrs. Lovett

“My Friends” – Mrs. Lovett, Todd

“Green Finch and Linnet Bird” – Johanna

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

“Johanna” – Anthony

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

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

“The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” – Ensemble

“Wait” – Mrs. Lovett, Todd

“Kiss Me” – Johanna, Anthony

“Ladies in their Sensitivities” – Beadle, Turpin

“Pretty Women” – Todd, Turpin, Anthony

“Epiphany” – Todd, Mrs. Lovett

“A Little Priest” – Mrs. Lovett, Todd

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Act 2:

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

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

“By the Sea” – Mrs. Lovett, Todd

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

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

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

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

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

“Epilogue” – Company

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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.

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Need extra help? Just go through this free audition prep checklist!

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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.

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