The Best Audition Songs for Willy Wonka – by Character
Do you have an upcoming audition for Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka? 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 Willy Wonka, broken down by character.
Since Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is a contemporary musical version of the 1960s/1970s book and film, there’s a mix of contemporary and classic musical theatre songs below. In addition, there are lots of playful and youthful vibes throughout in order 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 Willy Wonka music tracks➝.
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.
Augustus Gloop
“How Lucky You Are” – Seussical
“I Want to Go Home” – Big
“Magic Foot” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee [censor profanity]
Candy Man
“All I Care About” – Chicago
“Sara Lee” – The World Goes ‘Round
“You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” – Annie
Charlie Bucket
“Counting Down to Christmas” – A Christmas Story
“Electricity” – Billy Elliot
“It’s Possible” – Seussical
Grandpa Joe
“Days Gone By” – She Loves Me
“Look Over There” – La Cage aux Folles
“Something Was Missing” – Annie
Mike Teavee
“Picture Show” – Bonnie & Clyde [Young Clyde’s part]
“Whatcha Gonna Do?” – Chaplin [in your natural accent]
“When I Get My Name in Lights” – The Boy From Oz
Veruca Salt
“Born to Entertain” – Ruthless!
“My New Philosophy” – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
“My Party Dress” – Henry and Mudge
Violet Beauregarde
“I Speak Six Languages” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
“My Friend, The Dictionary” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
“Top Secret Personal Beeswax” – Junie B. Jones
Willy Wonka
“How It Ends” – Big Fish
“Hushabye Mountain” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
“The Bottom Line” – Newsies
“The Genius on Cleveland Street” – A Christmas Story
Ensemble (Altos)
“More to the Story” – Shrek
“Only Pretend” – Peter Pan Live!
“What a Mother Does” – A Christmas Story
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Look at the Sky” – Urinetown
“The Wheel” – Tuck Everlasting
“Wonderful” – Wicked
Ensemble (Basses)
“Havin’ a Hunch” – Seussical
“We Look to You” – The Prom
“You Can’t Trust a Man” – Tuck Everlasting
Ensemble (Contras)
“All Falls Down” – Chaplin
“Just Like That” – A Christmas Story
“Shine” – Billy Elliot
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzos/Sopranos)
“Home” – Beauty and the Beast
“Loud” – Matilda
“The World Above” – The Little Mermaid
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Extraordinary” – Pippin
“Fight the Dragons” – Big Fish
“Proud of Your Boy” – Aladdin
Ensemble (Trebles/Children)
“Now I See” – Junie B. Jones
“Lunch Box” – Junie B. Jones
“What If” – The Addams Family
Step 4: Select a monologue
If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Willy Wonka:
• “I Intend to Be a Queen➝” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy)
• “Green Pepper➝” from Cocktails at Pam’s (Estelle)
• “My Favorite Name➝” from Harvey➝ (Elwood)
• “Spell” in Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors➝
• “We’ll Figure It Out” in Monologues for Kids and Tweens➝
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!
Willy Wonka Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Willy Wonka, 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 1:
“Pure Imagination” – Wonka
“Golden Age of Chocolate” – Wonka, Oompa-Loompas, Ensemble
“The Candy Man” – Candy Man, Charlie, Ensemble
“I Eat More” – Augustus, Mrs. Gloop, Ensemble
“Think Positive” – Charlie, Mr. Bucket
“I See It All On TV” – Mike, Ms. Teavee
“Cheer Up Charlie” – Grandpa Joe, Mrs. Bucket, Mr. Bucket, Family
“Think Positive (Reprise)” – Charlie
“I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” – Charlie, Grandpa Joe, Wonka, Family, Ensemble
Act 2:
“At The Gates” / “Pure Imagination (Reprise)” – Wonka
“In This Room Here” – Wonka, Kids, Parents
“Oompa-Loompa 1” – Augustus, Oompa-Loompas
“There’s No Knowing” – Wonka, Parents
“Chew It” – Violet, Wonka, Kids
“Oompa-Loompa 2” – Violet, Oompa-Loompas
“Flying” – Charlie, Grandpa Joe
“Burping” – Charlie, Grandpa Joe
“I Want It Now” – Veruca
“Oompa-Loompa 3” – Veruca, Oompa-Loompas
“Oompa-Loompa 4” – Mike, Oompa-Loompas
“Oompa-Loompa 5” – Kids, Oompa-Loompas
“Flying (Reprise)” – Willy Wonka, Grandpa Joe, Charlie
“Finale” – Wonka, Charlie, Grandpa Joe, Company
Which of these audition songs for Willy Wonka 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.