The Best Audition Songs for The Pirates of Penzance

When considering audition songs for The Pirates of Penzance, it’s fitting to choose an operatic song from 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 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 to ensure it matches the show’s style.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Audition Songs for The Pirate of Penzance

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✨Need more options? The list below gives you a great starting point! The Theatre Trip Repertoire Studio gives you access to thousands of songs, hundreds of monologues, and tools to help you find your casting lane! Explore the Repertoire Studio →

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Frederic

“Make Our Garden Grow” – Candide

“One Alone” – The Desert Song

“Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise” – The New Moon

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Mabel

“I Love You” – Song of Norway

“It Never Was You” – Knickerbocker Holiday

“Romance” – The Desert Song

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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

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🎭 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!

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Ensemble (Altos)

“Can This Be Love?” – Fine and Dandy

“Once You Lose Your Heart” – Me and My Girl

“Solomon Song” – The Threepenny Opera

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Ensemble (Baritones)

“O Tixo, Tixo Help Me!” – Lost in the Stars

“September Song” – Knickerbocker Holiday

“There’s Nowhere to Go But Up” – Knickerbocker Holiday

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Ensemble (Basses)

“Ballad of the Robbers” – Knickerbocker Holiday

“Restless Heart” – Fanny

“When the Children Are Asleep” – Carousel

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Ensemble (Contras)

“Lonely House” – Street Scene

“Pirate Jenny” – The Threepenny Opera

“Solomon” – Nymph Errant

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Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

“How Could We Be Wrong?” – Nymph Errant

“Supper Time” – As Thousands Cheer

“When Did I Fall in Love?” – Fiorello!

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Ensemble (Sopranos)

“Glitter and Be Gay” – Candide

“The Princess of Pure Delight” – Lady in the Dark

“Trouble Man” – Lost in the Stars

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Ensemble (Tenors)

“A Red-Headed Woman” – Porgy and Bess

“Captain Hook’s Waltz” – Peter Pan

“Fanny” – Fanny

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Step 4: Select a Monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for The Pirates of Penzance:

• “Let Me Hear It” from Treasure Island

• “My Opinion” from Paul Pry

• “Ladylike” from Quality Street

• “Sea-Faring Men” from Treasure Island

• “The Gallows” from Treasure Island

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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→

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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! This is more intended to be used for character research purposes.

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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

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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

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