The Best Audition Songs for Oliver! – By Character
If you’re looking for audition songs for Oliver!, it’s best to choose a theatrical song from classic musical theatre repertoire that matches the show’s tone and suits your vocal type. Be sure to check your audition notice for any specific song guidelines.
Because Oliver! premiered in 1960, the audition songs below are drawn from musicals between the 1950s and 1980s. Each one has been carefully hand-picked and reviewed by a musical theatre professional to ensure fit and audition readiness.
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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 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 Oliver!
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.
Bill Sykes
“Alive” – Jekyll & Hyde
“Dog Eats Dog” – Les Misérables
“Lonely Room” – Oklahoma!
“The Highest Judge of All” – Carousel
Fagin
“Captain Hook’s Waltz” – Peter Pan
“Kids” – Bye Bye Birdie
“Master of the House” – Les Misérables
“With a Little Bit of Luck” – My Fair Lady
Mr. Bumble
“Don’t Cry” – The Most Happy Fella
“In My Own Lifetime” – The Rothschilds
“Joey, Joey, Joey” – The Most Happy Fella
“Melinda” – On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Nancy
“Being Good Isn’t Good Enough” – Hallelujah, Baby!
“Bill” – Show Boat
“Just You Wait” – My Fair Lady
“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” – My Fair Lady
Oliver Twist
“Distant Melody” – Peter Pan
“My Best Girl” – Mame
“Not While I’m Around” – Sweeney Todd
“Round-Shouldered Man” – The Secret Garden
The Artful Dodger
“Gary, Indiana” – The Music Man
“I Won’t Grow Up” – Peter Pan
“Little People” – Les Misérables
“Neat to Be a Newsboy” – Working
Ensemble (Altos)
“A Cockeyed Optimist” – South Pacific
“If He Walked Into My Life” – Mame
“Ribbons Down My Back” – Hello, Dolly!
Ensemble (Baritones)
“Soliloquy” – Carousel
“The Big Black Giant” – Me and Juliet
“What Makes It Happen?” – Walking Happy
Ensemble (Basses)
“A Wonderful Day Like Today” – The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd
“Get Me to the Church on Time” – My Fair Lady
“Try to Remember” – The Fantasticks
Ensemble (Contras)
“Hey, Look Me Over” – Wildcat
“Lazy Afternoon” – The Golden Apple
“Where Is the Warmth?” – The Baker’s Wife
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Ensemble (Mezzo-Sopranos)
“I’ve Never Said I Love You” – Dear World
“Little Lamb” – Gypsy
“So Many People” – Saturday Night
Ensemble (Sopranos)
“Far From the Home I Love” – Fiddler on the Roof
“Ice Cream” – Anne of Green Gables
“My White Knight” – The Music Man
Ensemble (Tenors)
“Fanny” – Fanny
“Miracle of Miracles” – Fiddler on the Roof
“Wondrin’” – Anne of Green Gables
Ensemble (Trebles/Children)
“Getting Tall” – Nine
“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 Oliver!:
• “A Thirteen-Year-Old Maid” in Young Women’s Monologues from Contemporary Plays➝
• “Come and Find Me➝” from The Silver Box➝ (Jones)
• “I Must Say” from The Importance of Being Earnest➝ (Lady Bracknell)
• “Tommy Has Proposed” from An Ideal Husband➝ (Mabel)
• “We’ll Figure It Out” in Monologues for Kids and Tweens➝
Final Step: Audition Prep
Once you’ve chosen your song, it’s time to start preparing! Grab your FREE Audition Prep Checklist and Stamp Cards to stay organized and motivated for your upcoming auditions!
Oliver! Song List
Here’s a list of the musical numbers in Oliver, 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:
“Food, Glorious Food” – Ensemble
“Oliver!” – Mr. Bumble, Widow Corney, Ensemble
“I Shall Scream!” – Mr. Bumble, Widow Corney
“Boy for Sale” – Mr. Bumble
“That’s Your Funeral” – Mr. Sowerberry, Mrs. Sowerberry, Mr. Bumble
“Where Is Love?” – Oliver
“Consider Yourself” – The Artful Dodger, Oliver, Ensemble
“You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” – Fagin, Ensemble
“It’s a Fine Life” – Nancy, Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Bet, Ensemble
“I’d Do Anything” – The Artful Dodger, Nancy, Oliver, Bet, Fagin, Ensemble
“Be Back Soon” – Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Oliver, Ensemble
Act 2:
“Oom-Pah-Pah” – Nancy, Ensemble
“My Name” – Bill Sikes
“As Long As He Needs Me” – Nancy
“Where Is Love? (Reprise)” – Mrs. Bedwin
“Who Will Buy?” – Rose Seller, Oliver, Ensemble
“It’s a Fine Life (Reprise)” – Bill Sikes, Nancy, Fagin, The Artful Dodger
“Reviewing the Situation” – Fagin
“Oliver! (Reprise)” – Mr. Bumble, Widow Corney
“As Long as He Needs Me (Reprise)” – Nancy
“Reviewing the Situation (Reprise)” – Fagin
“Finale” – Company
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these audition songs for Oliver! 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.
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 and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
I need help finding a song for a theater class that is at least 2 min long that is upbeat and appropriate.
Hey!! Since you’re looking for something that’s upbeat, you should check out this great list of upbeat audition songs, broken down by vocal type. And most of them are at least 2 minutes long as well! Hopefully one of them is a good fit. 🙂
Hi there, I’m auditioning for Oliver the musical this coming week and I am auditioning for the role of Charlotte sommersbery and/or Bet. I’m not a trained singer but cab somewhat, or so I’ve been told. I would still like to have shot at either of these roles, unfortunately we still have to sing for our audition. Any songs you would recommend for me.
Thanks
^can somewhat sing
Hi Lily! I just looked around for some ideas, and I came up with two song choices that might be a good fit for your situation (both from musicals of the 1960s). The first is “On the Other Side of the Tracks” from Little Me. And the second is “I Like Him” from Drat! The Cat! Both songs are really good choices for beginner singers since they have pretty small vocal ranges. And both are really nice choices for teens/young adults.
On top of that, they would both work well for altos or mezzos – so regardless of which vocal type you have, you should be able to sing them! I would just suggest singing through both and seeing if one of them might be a good fit! And also, make sure to practice that cockney accent a bit in case they request it at the audition! Have fun with it!