The Best Audition Songs for The Last Five Years – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for The Last Five Years? 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 Last Five Years, by character.
Since The Last Five Years is a contemporary musical, the following songs are from contemporary musicals as well. There are also lots of romantic and dramatic vibes below 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 “Last Five Years Audition Songs” Spotify Playlist
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 The Last Five Years➝ while listening to the The Last Five Years cast album➝. Or you can watch the film version of the show➝.
Step 3: Pick an audition song
Next, based on your personality and vocal type, decide which character you’d like to audition for. And finally, choose a suitable song from the list below!
Catherine Hiatt
“Always Starting Over” – If/Then
“Anywhere But Here” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Before It’s Over” – Dogfight
“Fly Into the Future” – Vanities
“Gotta Get Out” – Ordinary Days
“I’ll Be Here” – Ordinary Days
“Manhattan Bridge” – Next Thing You Know
“Perfect” – Edges
“You Can’t Be Everything You Want” – Next Thing You Know
“You Learn to Live Without” – If/Then
Jamie Wellerstein
“A Jerk Like Me” – When Midnight Strikes
“And I Breathe” – Next Thing You Know
“As Good As I Get” – Next Thing You Know
“Come Back” – Dogfight
“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days
“Hey, Kid” – If/Then
“Isn’t That Enough?” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Run Away With Me” – The Mad Ones
“You Don’t Need to Love Me” – If/Then
“You Never Know” – If/Then
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Last Five Years:
• “A Girl’s Guide to Chaos” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝
• “Bread and Circuses” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Bridge Partners” in Audition Arsenal for Women in Their 20s➝
• “Mom, Dad and a Bad Idea (#1)” in The Best Men’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019➝
• “Right Place, Right Time #2” 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 Last Five Years Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Last Five Years, 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.
“Still Hurting” – Cathy
“Shiksa Goddess” – Jamie
“See I’m Smiling” – Cathy
“Moving Too Fast” – Jamie
“A Part of That” – Cathy
“The Schmuel Song” – Jamie
“A Summer in Ohio” – Cathy
“The Next Ten Minutes” – Jamie, Cathy
“A Miracle Would Happen/When You Come Home to Me” – Jamie, Cathy
“Climbing Uphill” – Cathy
“If I Didn’t Believe in You” – Jamie
“I Can Do Better Than That” – Cathy
“Nobody Needs to Know” – Jamie
“Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You” – Jamie, Cathy
Which of these audition songs for The Last Five Years 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.