The Best Audition Songs for The Great Comet – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812? 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 The Great Comet, broken down by character.
Since The Great Comet is a contemporary musical, most of the following songs are from contemporary musicals as well. In addition, there are lots of dramatic/expressive pieces included below, as well as lots of Dave Malloy options in order to match the style of the show.
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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 uptempo, etc.). Make sure to select a song that’s appropriate for your specific casting call. Also, as you’re picking out a song, these links may be helpful:
• Backing Tracks for the Songs Below
• The “Great Comet Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
* It’s beneficial to also be proficient in an instrument when auditioning for the show. When selecting an audition piece, consider learning the accompanying part as well (on piano, guitar, etc.), and just keep it in your back pocket.
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 synopsis or libretto for The Great Comet➝ while listening to the The Great Comet cast album➝.
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.
Anatole Kuragin
“I Want None of This” – Radiohead [non-musical theatre]
“Pyramid Song” – Radiohead [non-musical theatre]
“Rise Above 1” – Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
“There’s a World” – Next to Normal
Hélène Bezukhova
“Evil Like Me” – Descendants
“Land of Yesterday” – Anastasia
“Red Shoes Blues” – The Wizard of Oz
Marya Dmitriyevna
“Isn’t It a Trial?” – Alice By Heart
“Off With Their Heads” – Wonderland
“Surabaya-Santa” – Songs for a New World
Natasha Rostova
“Burn” – Hamilton
“Dividing Day” – The Light in the Piazza
“In My Dreams” – Anastasia
“Sister’s Pickle” – Amélie
Pierre Bezukhov
“Four Friends” – Ghost Quartet
“Night Will Come” – Groundhog Day
“Subway” – Preludes
“The Pacific” – Moby Dick
Sonya Rostova
“Hero” – Ghost Quartet
“Men of Snow” – Ingrid Michaelson [pop/non-musical theatre]
“Natalya” – Preludes
“Starchild” – Ghost Quartet
Ensemble (Altos)
“Once Upon a December” – Anastasia
“Some Things Fall Away” – Alice By Heart
“When the Music Played” – Doctor Zhivago
Ensemble (Baritones/Basses)
“Adrian” – Rocky
“Midnight Radio” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
“Wicked Little Town” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ensemble (Contras)
“Close the Door” – Anastasia
“When the Booth Goes Bright” – Amélie
“Wig in a Box” – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“The Sea of Life” – The Pirate Queen
“The Gypsy” – Jane Eyre
“Times Are Hard for Dreamers” – Amélie
Ensemble (Tenors)
“In a Crowd of Thousands” – Anastasia [Dmitry’s part]
“My Petersburg” – Anastasia
“Still” – Anastasia
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Great Comet:
• “Bernhardt/Hamlet (#1)” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Blue Stockings” in Contemporary Monologues for Teenagers: Female➝
• “How Can You Say That?➝” from Wild Honey (Anna)
• “I Can’t Trust Anything➝” from Watson Intelligence (Eliza)
• “Moon Man Walk” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
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!
The Great Comet Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Great Comet, 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” – Company
“Pierre” – Pierre, Ensemble
“Moscow” – Marya, Natasha, Sonya
“The Private and Intimate Life of the House” – Bolkonsky, Mary
“Natasha & Bolkonskys” – Mary, Natasha, Bolkonsky
“No One Else” – Natasha
“The Opera” – Natasha, Sonya, Marya, Hélène, Ensemble
“Natasha & Anatole” – Natasha, Anatole
“The Duel” – Anatole, Dolokhov, Pierre, Hélène, Ensemble
“Dust and Ashes” – Pierre, Ensemble
“Sunday Morning” – Natasha, Sonya, Marya
“Charming” – Hélène
“The Ball” – Natasha, Anatole
Act 2:
“Letters” – Pierre, Natasha, Mary, Anatole, Dolokhov, Ensemble
“Sonya & Natasha” – Sonya, Natasha
“Sonya Alone” – Sonya
“Preparations” – Anatole, Dolokhov, Pierre
“Balaga” – Balaga, Anatole, Dolokhov, Ensemble
“Gypsy Lovers” / “The Abduction” – Anatole, Ensemble
“In My House” – Marya, Natasha, Sonya
“A Call to Pierre” – Marya, Pierre
“Find Anatole” – Pierre, Anatole, Hélène, Natasha
“Pierre & Anatole” – Pierre, Anatole
“Natasha Very Ill” – Sonya
“Pierre & Andrey” – Andrey, Pierre
“Pierre & Natasha” – Pierre, Natasha
“The Great Comet of 1812” – Pierre, Ensemble
Which of these audition songs for The Great Comet 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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.