The Best Audition Songs for The Music Man – By Character
When considering audition songs for The Music Man, it’s fitting to choose an upbeat 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 Music Man premiered in 1957, 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 Music Man.
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 Music Man
🎶 Need more audition song ideas? Build your audition book with a DIY Rep Book for your voice type: 200+ songs with ranges, tempos, and listening links. Or explore thousands of songs, monologues, and the Character Studio in the Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio→
Amaryllis
“Do-Re-Mi” – The Sound of Music
“Scales and Arpeggios” – The Aristocats (Film)
“The Perfect Nanny” – Mary Poppins
“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
“Neat to Be a Newsboy” – Working
🎭 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)
“Be Kind to Your Parents” – Fanny
“Everybody’s Got a Home But Me” – Pipe Dream
“The Next Time It Happens” – Pipe Dream
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)
“Erbie Fitch’s Twitch” – Redhead
“I Never Know When” – Goldilocks
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I Ain’t Down Yet” – The Unsinkable Molly Brown
“Shopping Around” – Wish You Were Here
“You Don’t Know” – Here’s Love
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” – Carnival!
“So in Love” – Kiss Me, Kate
“Wonderful, Wonderful Day” – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
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:
• “Banana Split” from Wonderful Town
• “Brass Bands and Confetti” from My One and Only
• “My Favorite Name” from Harvey
• “Poor Relation” from George Washington Slept Here
• “The Country” from George Washington Slept Here
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 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! 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:
“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
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.
