Hi! I’m auditioning for Phantom of the Opera (hoping for Meg or Carlotta or Christine) and I’m planning to sing Mira from Carnival, do you think it’s a good choice? Thank you :) open to more suggestions too! I wanted to find something that isn’t overdone
I think Mira's a good choice! Gearing more toward Christine and Carlotta, you can also take a look at The Finer Things from Jane Eyre, I Still Believe from Amazing Grace, and One More Kiss from Follies. Meg's more on the mezzo-y side, so something like Whistle Down the Wind from Whistle Down the Wind or Where is Warmth from Baker's Wife may work a bit better.
Break a leg!! Also have so much fun. Phantom has been a dream show of mine since I was like 13.
Yeston's "December Songs" has so many good pieces (Granted Yeston is severely underrated as a composer, imo). Tbh any voice type should be able to handle these, they're not super duper range-y, iirc. I'm using "I Had A Dream About You" for a grad school pre-screen and I forgot just how much I love these songs. Harolyn Blackwell is one of the vocalists I aspire to be like and she does the song so beautifully. Her tone's just so effortless.
hello!! in about a month, i'm auditioning for my #1 dream role, johanna from sweeney todd, and i am VERY nervous. i have a few ideas for songs, but nothing's REALLY hit the spot yet. i'm looking for something a bit older, or at least something with that ingenue spice, maybe something to show that i can manage tricky sondheim music, and legit soprano. thank you!!
I got you. Also congrats on the opportunity (Johanna's definitely on my list, too, so sending you some extra good vibes) Good legit soprano is tricky to find.
"In My Life" from Les Mis (the Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology has a really nice 32bar cut of this song in Soprano Vol 3), "Soon" from A Little Night Music, the title song from "Light in the Piazza", and "Moonfall" from The Mystery of Edwin Drood are all great (They're also the first options that pop up when you google, so idk how you'd feel about them)
Less obvious (still good) choices: "I Saw Him Once" cut from Les Mis, "One More Kiss" from Follies, "Home" or "My True Love" from Phantom (the Yeston and Kopit POTO), "Who Is This Man" or "How Will I Know" from Death Takes a Holiday.
(extra spicy, off the wall choice: "Rosa's Confession" from Drood. Very Act II Johanna in terms of character)
Hi there! I’m auditioning for Urinetown and am having trouble finding good pieces for Hope. I need a cut of a song and a 1-minute monologue. Any suggestions?
Hi! It’s interesting to see this show gaining so much traction lately (and nice considering that it’s not an adaptation--not that I don’t love adaptations, I just get sick of EVERYTHING seeming to be one). I’d recommend looking at “Beyond my Wildest Dreams” from The Little Mermaid (tbh, just about any Disney Princess song would work). “Look to the Rainbow” from Finnian’s Rainbow might work, though I’m hesitant to recommend a golden age song for a contemporary show--but Hope is a total take off on that type of ingenue so it could work--“Times are Hard for Dreamers” may work as well. “Notice Me Horton” from Seussical could also be a nice choice (especially if you want to lean into the comedy).For Monologues, Sarah’s “Resist the Devil” monologue from Guy and Dolls could be very funny (and it’s only about 1 minute iirc), Emma’s monologue from The Pterodactyls could be good. It’s much edgier than Guys and Dolls (Link to the full monologue for context.)
This is the cut of that one I’d use: “ Hello everybody. I’m dead. How are you? I’m glad I killed myself. I’m not recommending it for others, mind you—no Dr. Kevorkian am I. But it’s worked out for me. Looking back, I don’t think I was every supposed to have been born to begin with. When I say I shouldn’t have been born, I mean that my life was never all that pleasant. And there was no real reason for it. I was pretty. I had money. I was lucky enough to be born in a time and into a class where I had nothing but opportunities. I look around and there are crippled people and blind people and refugees and I can’t believe I had the gall to whine about anything! I can never thank Todd enough for giving me the gun, because for the first time, I’m happy.” (This cut is less edgy than it could be because idk how conservative your theatre is/your age group. You can punch it up by adding that bit about “I had love” if you’re comfortable with it)
If your voice naturally falls into the ‘legit Soprano’ category like mine does, you’re probably sick to death of ballads. I mean, they’re beautiful, but when they’re the majority of what you sing, it can start to suck.
(EDIT: Not saying you can’t sing more mix-y stuff, this is just more if you want to lean into your classical sound)
Here’s a list of uptempo legit Soprano pieces that I’ve come across. (Below the cut due to length)
Feel free to add more if you know some great legit uptempo pieces that I don’t!
Golden Age (Pre-1970)
“I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story.
If you’re not Hispanic, PLEASE don’t use the accent (As a Latina actress this is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves). But if you’re taking it out of context and just singing it in your natural accent, it’s a fun piece. (Though as with everything, if you feel yourself cringing or questioning whether it’s appropriate for you, leave it on the shelf).
“This is All Very New to Me” from Plain and Fancy
I recently came across this lovely little tune. Originally performed by Barbara Cook, it’s great for that shimmery, classic soprano sound. The character is an Amish “old maid” who thinks that an Englischer fellow who’s come to her community has developed feelings for her and now she’s dealing with feeling desirable for the first time in her life.
“That’ll Show Him” from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Yes, Sondheim, I know. But it’s a cute little piece and if you’re a great comic actress this can really show your coy and flirty chops.
“Many a New Day” from Oklahoma!
This is a great “Forget you” kind of piece. Laurey is your archetypal “strong, independent woman” and this song really exemplifies that character trait in her.
“Yes, My Heart” from Carnival
This song reminds me a bit of Louisa from Fantasticks. A very hopeful, uplifting piece with some nice patter-y bits contrasted with some very nice lyrical singing.
“I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady
This is the uptempo soprano piece that most people think of for the Golden Age. It’s fun for sure, but may be a bit popular for auditions (Especially with the revival on Broadway at the moment).
“Show Me” from My Fair Lady
Less overdone than its sister, this piece is another “Strong, independent woman” one. Eliza is making her wants known to Freddie and not putting up with his sentimental crap.
“Without You” from My Fair Lady
Another in this same vein. Not as high as the previous two, but still a nice uptempo legit piece for an independent character.
“Vanilla Ice Cream” from She Loves Me
This has been done to hell and back, but it really is a nice piece.
1970s-1990s
“On the Steps of the Palace” from Into the Woods
Another Sondheim. I would only recommend this for either a Sondheim audition or if you can bring your own accompanist, but it’s a nice piece with a clear character arc. Lots of choices to make if you get to sing the whole thing.
“Soon” from A Little Night Music
I apologize to all of your accompanists, I really do. This is a great ingenue piece though. And the way it fits together with “Now” and “Later” within the show is genius. It’s a great piece in which Anne is trying to reassure herself under the guise of reassuring her (much older) husband of their relationship.
“Rosa’s Confession” from The Mystery of Edwin Drood
This is totally a “mental breakdown” piece. Rosa is losing her shit and it’s a lot of fun to do.
“Green Finch and Linnet Bird” from Sweeney Todd
If you couldn’t tell, Sondheim kinda dominates this time period for legit sopranos. My one caveat with the song beyond its popularity is that you HAVE to act it. Make bold, distinct choices as Johanna. She’s not just a waif. She has to be a living, breathing person (who may be a little off her rocker)
(I’m not putting “Think of Me” from Phantom on this list because it’s not really usable in an audition, also it feels more mid-tempo than uptempo to me.)
“This Place is Mine” from Phantom
No, not the Webber one, the Yeston and Kopit one. It’s a great villain song for the ULTIMATE diva character.
2000s-Now
“The Finer Things” from Jane Eyre
I remain convinced that this is some of the best coloratura found in any contemporary musical. It’s really great if you want to show off your classical training.
“Beyond My Wildest Dreams” from The Little Mermaid
So, this is almost too pop-y for me to put it on this list, but I think it could work very nicely for a legit soprano.
“Who is This Man” from Death Takes a Holiday
If you’ve seen “Meet Joe Black” you know the story. This is another nice piece. Yeston in general is a great composer for legit singers
“Beauty Is” from Light in the Piazza
I list this with the same warning I list Sondheim pieces with. It can be a bit over done and is difficult to sightread, but if you can kill it and know your accompanist can play it, go for it.
“No One Else” from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Another one that is a little more pop-y than truly “legit” and additionally difficult to play, but if you want to add this to your rep for school or lessons, do it. It’s a really beautiful piece.
“Times are Hard for Dreamers” from Amelie
As I said above, a little pop-y, but nice. It’s more of a story song though, so it may be hard to cut. It’s still a very hopeful,uplifting piece.
“I Don’t Know What to Do” from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
”Poor Monty” from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
This show in general is just a nice throwback to legit singing and I really enjoy that.
Show: Once Upon A Mattress Vocal Part: Soprano Vocal Range: E3-A5 Role: Ensemble or Lady Larken I was considering Lusty Month of May and Before I Gaze At You Again from Camelot, Feelings from Apple Tree, and 16 Going on 17 from Sound of Music. Thank you!
I just did this show last year! “Lusty Month of May” would be the best choice of the ones you’ve listed. Your instincts were really good with looking at Camelot. If you want a couple of other choices, “Show Me” from My Fair Lady could work nicely. When I did Mattress, our Larken used “If I Were A Bell” which could work, “A Wonderful Guy” from South Pacific (it’s a little lower, but it’s very sweet and fun). Break all the legs!
Hi! I'm back with another question for you. My soprano D is auditioning for musical theatre programs. She loves the song Many a New Day and would like to use it in her prescreens. I do not think that it is overdone, but I am concerned about the dialect. Do you think this is an issue? Any other recommendations for an uptempo golden age song? Thanks so much!
Welcome back :D
I would say it's more classic than overdone. I understand your worry about the dialect, though. Luckily, R&H have so many great soprano pieces. "I Have Confidence" would be the most similar both in subject and range. There are also great non-R&Hs. I'm a huge fan of "This is All Very New to Me" from Plain and Fancy for a fun uptempo Golden Age, but if she wants something a little sassier "That'll Show Him" from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is always fun. "Without You" from My Fair Lady isalso great for a little more character (especially compared to its overdone sister "I Could've Danced All Night").
