The Best Audition Songs for The Last Five Years – By Character
When considering audition songs for The Last Five Years, it’s fitting to choose an expressive song from contemporary 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 Last Five Years premiered in 2001, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 2000s and 2020s. 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 Last Five Years.
Step 3: Pick an Audition Song
When you’re ready, choose a song from below that best fits your voice and style.
Audition Songs for The Last Five Years
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Catherine Hiatt
“Always Starting Over” – If/Then
“Anywhere But Here” – Honeymoon in Vegas
“Before It’s Over” – Dogfight
“Don’t Wanna Be Here” – Ordinary Days
“Fly Into the Future” – Vanities
“Gotta Get Out” – Ordinary Days
“I’ll Be Here” – Ordinary Days
“Manhattan Bridge” – Next Thing You Know
“You Can’t Be Everything You Want” – Next Thing You Know
“You Learn to Live Without” – If/Then
Jamie Wellerstein
“And I Breathe” – Next Thing You Know
“As Good As I Get” – Next Thing You Know
“Come Back” – Dogfight
“Favorite Places” – Ordinary Days
“Goodbye” – I Love You Because
“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:
• “Close to You” from Almost, Maine
• “Less Air to Breathe” from Almost, Maine
• “Like Anywhere Else” from Almost, Maine
• “Playing Games” from Men Are Dogs
• “The Last Tape” from Lewiston/Clarkston
Step 5: Audition Prep
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.
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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! 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.
“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
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.
