The Best Audition Songs for West Side Story – By Character
When considering audition songs for West Side Story, it’s fitting to choose a 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 West Side Story 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 West Side Story.
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 West Side Story
🎶 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→
Anita
“An English Teacher” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Ladies” – Destry Rides Again
“Spanish Rose” – Bye Bye Birdie
“There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This” – Sweet Charity
Maria
“No Other Love” – Me and Juliet
“One Boy” – Bye Bye Birdie
“This Is All Very New to Me” – Plain and Fancy
“Somebody, Somewhere” – The Most Happy Fella
Riff / Action
“Luck Be a Lady” – Guys and Dolls
“Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” – Guys and Dolls
“There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” – South Pacific
“Too Darn Hot” – Kiss Me, Kate
Tony
“Make Our Garden Grow” – Candide
“You Are Beautiful” – Flower Drum Song
“Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific
“You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” – South Pacific
🎭 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)
“A Wonderful Guy” – South Pacific
“I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song
“Do I Hear A Waltz?” – Do I Hear a Waltz?
Ensemble (Baritones)
“I Talk to the Trees” – Paint Your Wagon
“The Big Black Giant” – Me and Juliet
“Young and Foolish” – Plain and Fancy
Ensemble (Basses)
“Heart” – Damn Yankees
“My Time of Day” – Guys and Dolls
“What a Waste” – Wonderful Town
Ensemble (Contras)
“Before I Kiss the World Goodbye” – Jennie
“Lazy Afternoon” – The Golden Apple
“Nobody’s Heart” – By Jupiter
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“Is It Really Me?” – 110 in the Shade
“Love, Look Away” – Flower Drum Song
“You Don’t Know” – Here’s Love
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“I Love You” – Song of Norway
“Till There Was You” – The Music Man
“What Does He Want of Me?” – Man of La Mancha
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Fanny” – Fanny
“Take the Moment” – Do I Hear a Waltz?
“That’s the Way It Happens” – Me and Juliet
Step 4: Select a Monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for West Side Story:
• “Banana Split” from Wonderful Town
• “Brass Bands and Confetti” from My One and Only
• “Everything Slow” from Pipe Dream
• “Paper Route” from Born Yesterday
• “Some Crazy Poem” from Mack & Mabel
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→
West Side Story Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in West Side Story, 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:
“Jet Song” – Riff, Jets
“Something’s Coming” – Tony
“Maria” – Tony
“America” – Anita, Rosalia, Shark Girls
“Tonight” – Tony, Maria
“Gee, Officer Krupke” – Action, The Jets
Act 2:
“I Feel Pretty” – Maria, Rosalia, Consuelo
“One Hand, One Heart” – Tony, Maria
“Tonight (Quintet)” – Company
“Somewhere” – Soloist
“Cool” – Riff, Ensemble
“A Boy Like That” / “I Have a Love” – Anita, Maria
“Finale” – Maria, Tony, 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.
