The Best Audition Songs for Thoroughly Modern Millie – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Thoroughly Modern Millie? 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 Thoroughly Modern Millie, broken down by character.
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a contemporary musical that’s set in the 1920s. Because of that, most of the songs below are either directly from the 1920s/1930s, or from musicals set in the 20s/30s. There is also a classic and upbeat vibe to many of these songs 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 Thoroughly Modern Millie 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.
Jimmy Smith
“All I Need Is the Girl” – Gypsy
“Broadway Baby” – Dames at Sea
“Little Jazz Bird” – Lady, Be Good!
“She Loves Me” – She Loves Me
Millie Dillmount
“Anything Goes” – Anything Goes
“Blow, Gabriel, Blow” – Anything Goes
“I Get a Kick Out of You” – Anything Goes
“Show Off” – The Drowsy Chaperone
Miss Dorothy
“Delishious” – Nice Work If You Can Get It
“Just Imagine” – Good News!
“The Man I Love” – Strike Up the Band
“The Tale of the Oyster” – Fifty Million Frenchmen
Mrs. Meers
“I Want to Go to Hollywood” – Grand Hotel
“Little Girls” – Annie
“Temptation” – Singin’ in the Rain
“What You Need” – Grand Hotel
Muzzy Van Hossmere
“All Falls Down” – Chaplin
“Lost and Found” – City of Angels
“No Man Left for Me” – The Will Rogers Follies
“That Mister Man of Mine” – Dames at Sea
Trevor Graydon
“Ilona” – She Loves Me
“Nice Work If You Can Get It” – Nice Work If You Can Get It
“The Call of the Sea” – No, No, Nanette
“You Were Meant for Me” – Singin’ in the Rain
Ensemble (Altos)
“An Old-Fashioned Love Story” – The Wild Party
“As We Stumble Along” – The Drowsy Chaperone
“Can This Be Love?” – Fine and Dandy
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me
“I Happen to Like New York” – The New Yorkers
“Singin’ in the Rain” – Singin’ in the Rain
Ensemble (Basses)
“Easy to Love” – Anything Goes
“Oh, Lady Be Good!” – Lady, Be Good!
“The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” – Jumbo
Ensemble (Contras)
“Boy! What Love Has Done to Me” – Girl Crazy
“But Not For Me” – Girl Crazy
“The Lady is a Tramp” – Babes in Arms
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye” – Anything Goes
“What Good Is Love?” – Pins and Needles
“You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me” – 42nd Street
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Glad to Be Unhappy” – On Your Toes
“Would You?” – Singin’ in the Rain
“You Are My Lucky Star” – Singin’ in the Rain
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Dames” – 42nd Street
“Drift Away” – Grey Gardens
“Starting at the Bottom” – Fine and Dandy
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Thoroughly Modern Millie:
• “Al Capone and Me” in Audition Arsenal for Men in Their 20s➝
• “I Don’t Know➝” from Sun Dried➝ (Mary Louise)
• “In a Minute” from The Anniversary➝ (Tatiana)
• “You’re Quite a Girl➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
• “You’ve Got to Come Back a Star➝” from 42nd Street (Julian)
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!
Thoroughly Modern Millie Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Thoroughly Modern Millie 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:
“Not for the Life of Me” – Millie
“Thoroughly Modern Millie” – Millie, Ensemble
“Not for the Life of Me (Reprise)” – Millie, Ensemble
“How the Other Half Lives” – Miss Dorothy, Millie
“Not for the Life of Me (Reprise 2)” – Ching Ho, Bun Foo
“The Speed Test” – Trevor Graydon, Millie, Ensemble
“They Don’t Know” – Mrs. Meers
“What Do I Need with Love?” – Jimmy
“Only in New York” – Muzzy
“Jimmy” – Millie
Act 2:
“Forget About the Boy” – Millie, Miss Flannery, Ensemble
“Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life” / “I’m Falling in Love with Someone” – Graydon, Miss Dorothy
“I Turned the Corner” / “Falling in Love (Reprise)” – Jimmy, Millie, Miss Dorothy, Graydon
“Muqin” – Mrs. Meers, Bun Foo, Ching Ho
“Long As I’m Here With You” – Muzzy, Ensemble
“Gimme Gimme” – Millie
“Finale” – Company
Which of these audition songs for Thoroughly Modern Millie 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.