Musical-Specific Audition Songs

The Best Audition Songs for Annie – by Character

Do you have an upcoming audition for Annie? 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 Annie, broken down by character.

Since Annie came out in the 1970s and takes place in the 1930s, many of the suggested pieces below have a 1920s/1930s vibe to them. Additionally, most of the songs below are from musicals that came out between the 1950s-1980s.


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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 upbeat, 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 Annie 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.


Annie

Poor Sweet Baby” – Snoopy!!!

When I Get My Name in Lights” – The Boy From Oz

Where Is Love?” – Oliver!

You’ve Got Possibilities” – It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman


Bert Healy

Grand Knowing You” – She Loves Me

Put on a Happy Face” – Bye Bye Birdie

Singin’ in the Rain” – Singin’ in the Rain

The Candy Man” – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory


Grace Farrell

I Belong Here” – The Grand Tour

Would You?” – Singin’ in the Rain

You Are My Lucky Star” – Singin’ in the Rain

You Don’t Know” – Miracle on 34th Street


Lily St. Regis

Funny Honey” – Chicago

If My Friends Could See Me Now” – Sweet Charity

Nightlife” – All American

Where Am I Going?” – Sweet Charity


Miss Hannigan

Why Do The Wrong People Travel?” – Sail Away

Nobody Does It Like Me” – Seesaw

That Mister Man of Mine” – Dames at Sea

The Ladies Who Lunch” – Company


Oliver Warbucks

If I Have to Live Alone” – The Baker’s Wife

I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady

She Wasn’t You” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

Why Should I Wake Up?” – Cabaret


President Franklin D. Roosevelt

In My Own Lifetime” – The Rothschilds

Once Upon a Time” – All American

This Is a Great Country” – Mr. President


Rooster

All I Care About” – Chicago

Proud Lady” – The Baker’s Wife

Razzle Dazzle” – Chicago


“Star to Be”

Broadway Baby” – Follies

Forty-Second Street” – 42nd Street

Turn up the Spotlight” – Nunsense


Ensemble (Altos)

The Usher from the Mezzanine” – Fade Out – Fade In

Time Heals Everything” – Mack & Mabel

Wherever He Ain’t” – Mack & Mabel


Ensemble (Baritones)

I Don’t Remember Christmas” – Starting Here Starting Now

I Promise You a Happy Ending” – Mack & Mabel

She Is Not Thinking of Me” – Gigi


Ensemble (Basses)

More I Cannot Wish You” – Guys and Dolls

Movies Were Movies” – Mack & Mabel

Real Live Girl” – Little Me


Ensemble (Contras)

Chanson” – The Baker’s Wife

Dimples” – Little Me

Say Yes” – 70, Girls, 70


Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!


Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)

Look What Happened to Mabel” – Mack & Mabel

Open the Window” – Anne of Green Gables

Sing Happy” – Flora, the Red Menace


Ensemble (Sopranos)

Doll on a Music Box” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Ice Cream” – Anne of Green Gables

Magic Moment” – The Gay Life


Ensemble (Tenors)

I Won’t Send Roses” – Mack & Mabel

Morning Glow” – Pippin

Too Many Tomorrows” – Sweet Charity


Ensemble (Trebles/Orphans)

Born to Entertain” – Ruthless!

Let Me Entertain You” – Gypsy

Little Lamb” – Gypsy

The Perfect Nanny” – Mary Poppins

Truly Scrumptious” – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang


Step 4: Select a monologue

If requested, here are a few audition monologues for Annie:

• “I Can’t Write” from The Genius➝

• “Mother Moon➝” from Fading Joy➝  (Joy)

• “My Sister in This House” in Solo!: The Best Monologues of the 80s – Women➝

• “We’ll Figure It Out” in Monologues for Kids and Tweens➝

• “You Know What➝” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown  (Patty)


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!

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Annie Song List

Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Annie, 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:

Maybe” – Annie, Orphans

“It’s the Hard Knock Life” – Annie, Molly, Orphans

“It’s the Hard Knock Life (Reprise)” – Molly, Pepper, Kate, July, Tessie, Duffy

Tomorrow” – Annie

“We’d Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover” – Ensemble

Little Girls” – Miss Hannigan

“I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here” – Grace, Annie, Ensemble

“N.Y.C.” – Warbucks, Grace, Annie, Star-to-Be, Ensemble

“Easy Street” – Rooster, Miss Hannigan, Lily

“You Won’t Be an Orphan for Long” – Grace, Ensemble

“Why Should I Change a Thing?” – Warbucks


Act 2:

“Maybe (Reprise)” – Annie

You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” – Bert Healy, Ensemble

You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise)” – Orphans

“Easy Street (Reprise)” – Rooster, Miss Hannigan, Lily

“Tomorrow (Reprise)” – Annie, Roosevelt, Warbucks, Ensemble

Something Was Missing” – Warbucks

“Annie” – Grace, Drake, Ensemble

“I Don’t Need Anything But You” – Warbucks, Annie, Grace

“A New Deal for Christmas” – Warbucks, Grace, Annie, Roosevelt, Molly, Orphans, Ensemble


Which of these audition songs for Annie 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!

Sign up for your free audition prep checklist.


Stacy Karyn, Author of Audition Songs for Annie.
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.


 

3 thoughts on “The Best Audition Songs for Annie – by Character

  • Hi! I have a video audition for Annie coming up and I REALLY want to get in! Do you have any suggestions for the role of Annie or a (named) orphan? I just haven’t heard of many of the songs that are listed. Thank you so much!

    • Hi! That’s so exciting that you have such a fun audition coming up. Before I suggest any additional songs, I would love to encourage you to give the songs above a listen (under both Annie and the orphans). They’re probably just songs that you haven’t heard because they are a bit older in order to match the style of the show. But if you still don’t feel good about any of those, you can also try out “My New Philosophy” or “I Know It’s Today” from the Audition Songs for Kids post.

      Hope this helps!

      • Hi! I love both of those songs! I will give them a try! Thank you so much for helping! 🙂

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