The Best Audition Songs for The Music Man – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for The Music Man? 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 Music Man, broken down by character.
Since The Music Man is a golden age musical, most of the following songs are from golden age/post-golden age musicals as well. In addition, there is a classic/energetic 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 listen to the The Music Man cast album➝ while reading through the synopsis.
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.
Amaryllis
“Do-Re-Mi” – The Sound of Music
“Scales and Arpeggios” – The Aristocats [1970s film/non-theatre]
“Truly Scrumptious” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Harold Hill
“Heart” – Damn Yankees
“I Can’t Be in Love” – Goldilocks
“I Met a Girl” – Bells are Ringing
“Those Were The Good Old Days” – Damn Yankees
“What a Waste” – Wonderful Town
Marcellus Washburn
“Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Make ‘Em Laugh” – Singin’ in the Rain
“Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” – Guys and Dolls
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
Marian Paroo
“A Little Bit In Love” – Wonderful Town
“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella
“Warm All Over” – The Most Happy Fella
“What’s the Use of Wond’rin’?” – Carousel
Mrs. Paroo
“Hey, Look Me Over” – Wildcat
“Small World” – Gypsy
“The Beast in You” – Goldilocks
“Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair?” – Goldilocks
Winthrop Paroo
“Dites-Moi” – South Pacific
“I’d Do Anything” – Oliver!
“My Best Girl” – Mame
Ensemble (Altos)
“Erbie Fitch’s Twitch” – Redhead
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“The Gentleman is a Dope” – Allegro
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Rosie” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Shall I Take My Heart” – Goldilocks
“That Man Over There” – Miracle on 34th Street
Ensemble (Basses)
“Not Mine” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Once in Love With Amy” – Where’s Charley?
“There Never Was a Woman” – Goldilocks
Ensemble (Contras)
“I Never Know When” – Goldilocks
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
“One Hundred Easy Ways” – Wonderful Town
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I Ain’t Down Yet” – The Unsinkable Molly Brown
“Shopping Around” – Wish You Were Here
“Sweet Thursday” – Pipe Dream
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“So in Love” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Wonderful, Wonderful Day” – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
“You Don’t Know” – Here’s Love
Ensemble (Tenors)
“I Wanna Be Rich” – Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
“I’ve Just Seen Her” – All American
“Old Devil Moon” – Finian’s Rainbow
Ensemble (Trebles/Children)
“I Won’t Grow Up” – Peter Pan
“So Long, Farewell” – The Sound of Music
“Where Is Love?” – Oliver!
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Music Man:
• “I Shall Go Mad!” from Fourteen➝
• “My Favorite Name➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “Nothing But Misfortune” from Poor John➝ (John)
• “The Ideal Man!” from A Woman of No Importance➝ (Mrs. Allonby)
• “You Won’t Misunderstand Me” from The Goal➝ (Sir Stephen)
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 Music Man Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Music Man, 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:
“Rock Island” – Charlie, Ensemble
“Iowa Stubborn” – Ensemble
“Ya Got Trouble” – Harold, Ensemble
“Piano Lesson” – Marian, Mrs. Paroo
“Goodnight My Someone” – Marian
“Seventy-Six Trombones” – Harold
“Sincere” – Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey
“The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl” – Harold
“Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little” – Alma, Maud, Ethel, Mrs. Squires, Eulalie, Ensemble
“Goodnight, Ladies” – Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey
“Marian The Librarian” – Harold
“My White Knight” – Marian
“The Wells Fargo Wagon” – Winthrop, Ensemble
Act 2:
“It’s You” – Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey, Alma, Maud, Ethel, Mrs. Squires, Eulalie
“Shipoopi” – Marcellus, Ensemble
“Lida Rose” – Olin, Oliver, Ewart, Jacey
“Will I Ever Tell You” – Marian
“Gary, Indiana” – Winthrop
“Till There Was You” – Marian, Harold
“Seventy-Six Trombones” / “Goodnight, My Someone (Reprise)” – Harold, Marian
“Till There Was You (Reprise)” – Harold
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for The Music Man 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.