The Best Audition Songs for The Pirates of Penzance
If you’re looking for audition songs for The Pirates of Penzance, it’s best to choose an operatic song from musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.
Because The Pirates of Penzance is an opera from the late 1800s, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals before the 1960. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more details, please see our full disclosure.
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 comedic, 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 about The Pirates of Penzance.
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.
Frederic
“Make Our Garden Grow” – Candide
“One Alone” – The Desert Song
“Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise” – The New Moon
Mabel
“I Love You” – Song of Norway
“It Never Was You” – Knickerbocker Holiday
“Romance” – The Desert Song
Major-General
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady
“The Scars” – Knickerbocker Holiday
“When I Grow Up (The G-Man Song)” – Pins and Needles
Ensemble (Altos)
“Can This Be Love?” – Fine and Dandy
“Once You Lose Your Heart” – Me and My Girl
“Solomon Song” – The Threepenny Opera
Ensemble (Baritones)
“O Tixo, Tixo Help Me!” – Lost in the Stars
“September Song” – Knickerbocker Holiday
“There’s Nowhere to Go But Up” – Knickerbocker Holiday
Ensemble (Basses)
“Ballad of the Robbers” – Knickerbocker Holiday
“Restless Heart” – Fanny
“When the Children Are Asleep” – Carousel
Ensemble (Contras)
“Lonely House” – Street Scene
“Pirate Jenny” – The Threepenny Opera
“Solomon” – Nymph Errant
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“How Could We Be Wrong?” – Nymph Errant
“Supper Time” – As Thousands Cheer
“When Did I Fall in Love?” – Fiorello!
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Glitter and Be Gay” – Candide
“The Princess of Pure Delight” – Lady in the Dark
“Trouble Man” – Lost in the Stars
Ensemble (Tenors)
“A Red-Headed Woman” – Porgy and Bess
“Captain Hook’s Waltz” – Peter Pan
“Fanny” – Fanny
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Pirates of Penzance:
• “Good Heavens!➝” from The Pretentious Young Ladies➝ (Madelon)
• “I Must Say” from The Importance of Being Earnest➝ (Lady Bracknell)
• “I Trust No Man➝” from Danton➝ (Robespierre)
• “Ladylike” from Quality Street➝ (Phoebe)
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve gathered your materials and studied the show, it’s time to start preparing. Need help? Here’s a FREE audition prep checklist to stay organized for future auditions!
The Pirates of Penzance Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in The Pirates of Penzance 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.
Act I:
“Pour, O Pour The Pirate Sherry” – Samuel, Ensemble
“When Frederic Was A Little Lad” – Ruth
“Oh, Better Far To Live And Die” – Pirate King, Ensemble
“Oh, False One, You Have Deceived Me” – Frederic, Ruth
“Climbing Over Rocky Mountain” – Ensemble
“Stop, Ladies, Pray!” – Edith, Kate, Frederic, Ensemble
“Oh, Is There Not One Maiden Breast?” – Frederic, Ensemble
“Poor Wandering One” – Mabel, Ensemble
“What Ought We To Do?” – Edith, Kate, Ensemble
“How Beautifully Blue The Sky” – Mabel, Frederic, Ensemble
“Stay, We Must Not Lose Our Senses”- Frederic, Ensemble
“Hold Monsters” – Mabel, Major-General, Samuel, Ensemble
“I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major-General” – Major-General, Ensemble
“Finale Act I” – Company
Act II:
“Oh, Dry The Glistening Tear” – Mabel, Ensemble
“Then, Frederic, Let Your Escort Lion-Hearted” – Frederic, Major-General
“When The Foeman Bares His Steel” – Mabel, Edith, Sergeant, Ensemble
“Now For The Pirates’ Lair!” – Frederic, Ruth, Pirate King
“When You Had Left Our Pirate Fold” – Ruth, Frederic, Pirate King
“Away, Away! My Heart’s On Fire!” – Ruth, Frederic, Pirate King
“All Is Prepared” – Mabel, Frederic
“Stay, Frederick, Stay!” – Mabel, Frederic
“No, I’ll Be Brave” – Mabel, Sergeant, Ensemble
“When A Felon’s Not Engaged In His Employment” – Sergeant, Ensemble
“A Rollicking Band Of Pirates We” – Sergeant, Ensemble
“With Cat-Like Tread, Upon Our Prey We Steal” – Samuel, Ensemble
“Hush, Hush! Not A Word” – Frederic, Pirate King, Major-General, Ensemble
“Finale, Act II” – Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these audition songs for The Pirates of Penzance 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.
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 and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
