The Best Audition Songs for Sweet Charity – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Sweet Charity? 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 Sweet Charity, broken down by character.
Since Sweet Charity is a post-golden age musical, the following songs are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there are lots of light-hearted and classic vibes below in order to match the style of the show.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.
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 Sweet Charity 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.
Charity Hope Valentine
“A Little Girl from Little Rock” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“On the Other Side of the Tracks” – Little Me
“Poor Little Hollywood Star” – Little Me
“Satin and Silk” – Silk Stockings
Helene
“A Quiet Thing” – Flora, the Red Menace
“Go Home, Train!” – Fade Out – Fade In
“Hurry! It’s Lovely Up Here” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“Who’s That Girl?” – Applause
Nicki
“If He Walked Into My Life” – Mame
“Nobody Does It Like Me” – Seesaw
“Sing Happy” – Flora, the Red Menace
“Wall Street” – Dames at Sea
Oscar Lindquist
“If I Ruled the World” – Pickwick
“She Wasn’t You” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“Wanting Things” – Promises Promises
“Why Should I Wake Up?” – Cabaret
Vittorio Vidal
“Ilona” – She Loves Me
“In My Own Lifetime” – The Rothschilds
“Stay” – Do I Hear a Waltz?
“Take the Moment” – Do I Hear a Waltz?
Ensemble (Altos)
“The Usher from the Mezzanine” – Fade Out – Fade In
“What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“What is a Woman?” – I Do! I Do!
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Come Back to Me” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
“She’s My Love” – Carnival!
“There’s No Reason in the World” – Milk and Honey
Ensemble (Basses)
“Heart” – Damn Yankees
“I Love My Wife” – I Do! I Do!
“Real Live Girl” – Little Me
Ensemble (Contras)
“A House Is Not a Home” – Promises, Promises
“An Occasional Flight of Fancy” – Skyscraper
“Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I Wanted to Change Him” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Secret Love” – Calamity Jane
“The Secret Service” – Mr. President
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” – Carnival
“Nightlife” – All American
“You Don’t Know” – Miracle on 34th Street
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Will Follow You” – Milk and Honey
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Sweet Charity:
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “It’s Never One Thing➝” from Shows for Days (Irene)
• “Where Is He?➝” from The Father Clock➝ (Flub)
• “Wholeheartedly in Love” from Overruled➝
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
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!
Sweet Charity Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Sweet Charity, 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:
“You Should See Yourself” – Charity
“Big Spender” – Ensemble
“Charity’s Soliloquy” – Charity
“If My Friends Could See Me Now” – Charity
“Too Many Tomorrows” – Vittorio
“There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” – Nickie, Helene, Charity
“I’m The Bravest Individual” – Charity, Oscar
Act 2:
“The Rhythm Of Life” – Daddy Brubeck, Ensemble
“Baby, Dream Your Dream” – Nickie, Helene
“Sweet Charity” – Oscar
“Where Am I Going?” – Charity
“I’m A Brass Band” – Charity, Ensemble
“I Love To Cry At Weddings” – Herman, Rosie, Nickie, Helene, Ensemble
Which of these audition songs for Sweet Charity 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.