The Best Audition Songs for The King and I – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for The King and I? 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 King and I, broken down by character.
Since The King and I is a golden age musical, the following songs are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there is a classic vibe to many of the following 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.
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 King and I➝ while listening to the The King and I cast album➝. Or you can watch the live recording of the show➝.
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.
Anna Leonowens
“Before I Gaze at You Again” – Camelot
“I Have Confidence” – The Sound of Music
“I Loved You Once in Silence” – Camelot
“The Lusty Month of May” – Camelot
Lady Thiang
“The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” – Camelot
“There’s Music in You” – Cinderella
“What Good Would the Moon Be?” – Street Scene
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Carousel
Lun Tha
“Geraniums in the Winder” – Carousel
“Like a God” – Flower Drum Song
“Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
The King of Siam
“Camelot” – Camelot
“Edelweiss” – The Sound of Music
“I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight” – Camelot
“Welcome Home” – Fanny
Tuptim
“Follow Me” – Camelot
“Goodnight My Someone” – The Music Man
“No Other Love” – Me and Juliet
“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella
Ensemble (Altos)
“I Am Going to Like It Here” – Flower Drum Song
“I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song
“The Love of My Life” – Brigadoon
Ensemble (Baritones)
“If Ever I Would Leave You” – Camelot
“Never Will I Marry” – Greenwillow
“You Are Never Away” – Allegro
Ensemble (Basses)
“How to Handle a Woman” – Camelot
“I’m an Ordinary Man” – My Fair Lady
“Why Can’t the English?” – My Fair Lady
Ensemble (Contras)
“Never Never Land” – Peter Pan
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
“Tender Shepherd” – Peter Pan
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Cry Like the Wind” – Do Re Mi
“How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” – Finian’s Rainbow
“Love, Look Away” – Flower Drum Song
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I Could Have Danced All Night” – My Fair Lady
“Out of My Dreams” – Oklahoma!
“The Sound of Music” – The Sound of Music
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Come to Me, Bend to Me” – Brigadoon
“Many Moons Ago” – Once Upon a Mattress
“You Are Beautiful” – Flower Drum Song
Ensemble (Trebles/Children)
“Dites-Moi” – South Pacific
“My Best Girl” – Mame
“Where Is Love?” – Oliver!
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The King and I:
• “Do You Know➝” from The Cradle Song➝
• “Good Heavens!➝” from The Pretentious Young Ladies➝ (Madelon)
• “How Strange Everything Is➝” from The Three Sisters➝ (Vershinin)
• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry➝ (Oldbutton)
• “The Ideal Man!” from A Woman of No Importance➝ (Mrs. Allonby)
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 King and I Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The King and I, 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:
“I Whistle a Happy Tune” – Anna, Louis
“My Lord and Master” – Tuptim
“Hello, Young Lovers” – Anna
“A Puzzlement” – King
“The Royal Bangkok Academy” – Anna, Children, Ensemble
“Getting to Know You” – Anna, Children, Ensemble
“We Kiss in a Shadow” – Tuptim, Lun Tha
“A Puzzlement (Reprise)” – Louis, Prince Chulalongkorn
“Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?” – Anna
“Something Wonderful” – Lady Thiang
“Buddhist Prayer” – King, Company
Act 2:
“Western People Funny” – Lady Thiang, Ensemble
“I Have Dreamed” – Tuptim, Lun Tha
“Hello, Young Lovers (Reprise)” – Anna
“The Small House of Uncle Thomas” – Tuptim, Ensemble
“Song of the King” – King, Anna
“Shall We Dance?” – Anna, King
“I Whistle a Happy Tune (Reprise)” / “Finale” – Anna
Which of these audition songs for The King and I 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.