The Best Audition Songs for The King and I – By Character
When considering audition songs for The King and I, it’s fitting to choose a song from classic musical theatre repertoire that aligns with the tone of the show and suits your vocal type. Always refer to the audition notice for specific guidelines.
Because The King and I premiered in 1951, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1940s and 1960s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed to ensure it matches the show’s style.
Step 1: Review Audition Info
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: 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 The King and I.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
Before choosing a song, find your voice type and range using the Vocal Guide.
Based on your personality and vocal type, decide whether to audition for the ensemble or a specific character. Whatever you choose, try to stay open to other casting possibilities.
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for The King and I
✨Need more options? The list below gives you a great starting point! The Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio gives you access to thousands of songs, hundreds of monologues, and tools to help you find your casting lane! Explore the Repertoire Studio →
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
🎭 Are you never quite sure which roles to audition for? Take our free Casting Archetype Quiz to see if you’re a villain, ingénue, hero, romantic, or a type that’s even more unique!
Ensemble (Altos)
“Distant Melody” – Peter Pan
“I Got Lost in His Arms” – Annie Get Your Gun
“I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song
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
“The Love of My Life” – Brigadoon
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)
“Be Kind to Your Parents” – Fanny
“Dites-Moi” – South Pacific
“My Best Girl” – Mame
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The King and I:
• “His Voice” from The Cradle Song
• “I Can’t Write” from The Genius
• “Keen on Living” from Three Sisters
• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry
• “The Ideal Man” from A Woman of No Importance
Step 5: Get Your Free Audition Prep Tools
Choosing the right song is just the beginning! Strong preparation helps you walk into the room with confidence and ready to show what you can do.
Get Theatre Trip’s free audition prep resources, including:
☑ Your Audition Prep Checklist
☑ Printable Audition Stamp Cards
☑ Updates when new audition tools are added
Grab your free resources on Patreon→
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! This 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
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip and the author of The Thespian’s Bucket List. She is also the creator of The Cast Album List. Her background includes a BA in Theatre, a TESOL Drama certificate, and professional experience in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
