The Best Musical Theatre Character Songs – by Vocal Type
Are you looking for a character showtune for an upcoming project or audition? Well, first you should check out our giant database of audition songs for specific musicals. But if your show hasn’t yet been covered by us, you can go through these musical theatre character songs, sorted by vocal type.
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First Step: 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.
Altos
“I Can Hear the Bells” – Hairspray
“I Don’t Know What I’d Do” – A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
“Notice Me, Horton” – Seussical
“Special” – Avenue Q
“Wait a Bit” – Just So
Baritones
“Alone in the Universe” – Seussical
“Danny & Andrew” – We Aren’t Kids Anymore
“I’ve Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua” – Kiss Me, Kate
“What’s Up, Duloc?” – Shrek
“Wonderful” – Wicked
Basses
“Daisy Hill” – Snoopy!!!
“My Name” – Oliver!
“The Kite” – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
“When I Grow Up (The G-Man Song)” – Pins and Needles
“With a Little Bit of Luck” – My Fair Lady
Contras
“Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
“I Hate Musicals” – Ruthless!
“Jeanette’s Showbiz Number” – The Full Monty
“My Conviction” – Hair
“Papi Hears the Ocean” – The Band’s Visit
Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!
Mezzo-Sopranos
“I Cain’t Say No” – Oklahoma!
“Please Don’t Touch Me” – Young Frankenstein
“Temptation” – Singin’ in the Rain
“Turn up the Spotlight” – Nunsense
“Waiting” – The Addams Family
Sopranos
“A Little Bit of Good” – Chicago
“It’s a Privilege to Pee” – Urinetown
“Let Us Be Glad” – Wicked
“The Gypsy” – Jane Eyre
“The Pussy Foot” – Goldilocks
Tenors
“Bigger Isn’t Better” – Barnum
“Great Big Stuff” – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
“The Moon and Me” – The Addams Family
“Together Again” – Young Frankenstein
“You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” – Oliver!
Trebles/Kids
“Born to Entertain” – Ruthless!
“Cool Kid” – Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
“My Party Dress” – Henry and Mudge
“Schroeder” – You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
“What If” – The Addams Family
Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!
Which of these character songs are your favorite?
And what are you currently working on/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, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.