
ππΊπΈ Are you gearing up to audition for the iconic musical ‘1776’? This journey back in time isn’t just about donning colonial wigs and breeches; it’s about embodying the very essence of the Founding Fathers and the figures who played pivotal roles in America’s fight for independence. Choosing the perfect audition song is a critical step in this journey. Whether you’re aspiring to be the impassioned John Adams, the witty Benjamin Franklin, or the contemplative Thomas Jefferson, the right song can transform you from a performer into a storyteller, breathing life into the pages of history. So, let’s march into this list of the best audition songs for 1776!
The Best Audition Songs for 1776 The Musical
John Adams
- “Bring Him Home” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – Reflects Adams’ deep passion and sense of responsibility.
- “Gethsemane” from “Jesus Christ Superstar” – A powerful song showcasing intense emotion and determination.
- “Anthem” from “Chess” – Captures his patriotic fervor and strong convictions.
- “This is the Moment” from “Jekyll & Hyde” – A song about seizing a crucial moment in history, akin to Adams’ role.
- “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha” – Embodies his idealism and relentless pursuit of his goals.
- “Made of Stone” from “Hunchback of Notre Dame” – Reflects his steadfastness and inner turmoil.
- “Soliloquy” from “Carousel” – A complex piece that allows for a display of emotional range and depth.
Benjamin Franklin
- “If I Were a Rich Man” from “Fiddler on the Roof” – Captures Franklin’s wit and wisdom.
- “Mr. Cellophane” from “Chicago” – Highlights his often understated but crucial presence.
- “I’m Not That Smart” from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – For a humorous and slightly self-deprecating portrayal.
- “Reviewing the Situation” from “Oliver!” – Reflects his cunning and ability to strategize.
- “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from “Carousel” – A song that can showcase Franklin’s role as a mentor and guide.
- “A More Humane Mikado” from “The Mikado” – A witty and reflective number.
- “Sitting Pretty (The Money Song)” from “Cabaret” – For a lighter, more comedic take.
Thomas Jefferson
- “Corner of the Sky” from “Pippin” – Captures his ambition and desire for something more.
- “Johanna” from “Sweeney Todd” – Reflects his contemplative and romantic nature.
- “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – A song about ideals and loss.
- “Out There” from “Hunchback of Notre Dame” – Highlights his yearning for broader horizons.
- “Younger Than Springtime” from “South Pacific” – For a more romantic portrayal.
- “Waving Through a Window” from “Dear Evan Hansen” – Captures his sense of isolation and introspection.
- “Love, I Hear” from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” – A lighter, romantic song.
John Dickinson
- “Stars” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – Reflects his strong principles and opposition to the revolution.
- “Pilate’s Dream” from “Jesus Christ Superstar” – Captures his contemplative and cautious approach.
- “The American Dream” from “Miss Saigon” – For a critical and reflective perspective on America.
- “Epiphany” from “Sweeney Todd” – Showcases intensity and a sense of betrayal.
- “Where I Want to Be” from “Chess” – Reflects on his internal conflict and aspirations.
- “You Must Love Me” from “Evita” – For a more emotional, pleading performance.
- “Why God Why?” from “Miss Saigon” – A song that questions the world and one’s place in it.
Richard Henry Lee
- “The Lady’s Improving” from “The Me Nobody Knows” – Reflects his confident and somewhat flamboyant personality.
- “I Can’t Stand Still” from “Footloose” – Captures his energetic and enthusiastic nature.
- “Sit Down, John” from “1776” – A perfect song for Leeβs character if allowed.
- “Gaston” from “Beauty and the Beast” – Matches his bravado and charm.
- “Bigger Isn’t Better” from “Barnum” – For a humorous and slightly boastful portrayal.
- “Dancing Through Life” from “Wicked” – Highlights his carefree attitude and charisma.
- “On the Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady” – A song about optimism and joy.
Edward Rutledge
- “Hellfire” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” – Captures his intensity and darker aspects.
- “Pretty Women” from “Sweeney Todd” – Reflects his elegance and underlying complexity.
- “This is the Moment” from “Jekyll & Hyde” – For a dramatic, powerful portrayal of conviction.
- “Molasses to Rum” from “1776” – A direct pick for Rutledge if allowed, showcasing his perspective.
- “The Confrontation” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – A song about conflict and strong beliefs.
- “Where I Want to Be” from “Chess” – Reflects on his desires and inner turmoil.
- “The Music of the Night” from “The Phantom of the Opera” – A complex and emotive piece.
John Hancock
- “They Call the Wind Maria” from “Paint Your Wagon” – Reflects his authoritative and decisive nature.
- “Your Fault” from “Into the Woods” – A song about leadership and responsibility.
- “Stars” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – Captures his sense of duty and order.
- “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha” – For an idealistic and strong-willed character.
- “Pilgrimage” from “The Scottsboro Boys” – Highlights his role as a guiding and steady force.
- “I Am What I Am” from “La Cage aux Folles” – Showcases his dignity and self-assurance.
- “Purpose” from “Avenue Q” – For a more reflective take on his leadership.
Charles Thomson
- “You Must Love Me” from “Evita” – Reflects his dedication and behind-the-scenes influence.
- “Mr. Cellophane” from “Chicago” – Captures his overlooked but essential role.
- “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from “Guys and Dolls” – A more lighthearted, characterful song.
- “On the Street Where You Live” from “My Fair Lady” – Showcases his earnestness and loyalty.
- “Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote)” from “Man of La Mancha” – For a noble and aspirational portrayal.
- “Being Alive” from “Company” – Reflects on personal connection and depth.
- “The Colors of My Life” from “Barnum” – A song about reflection and purpose.
Abigail Adams
- “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” from “Show Boat” – Reflects her enduring love and partnership with John Adams.
- “Before the Parade Passes By” from “Hello, Dolly!” – Showcases her strength and determination.
- “Send in the Clowns” from “A Little Night Music” – A song of reflection and deep emotion, fitting for Abigail’s complex character.
- “Someone Like You” from “Jekyll & Hyde” – Captures her longing and emotional depth.
- “Tell Me on a Sunday” from “Song and Dance” – Reflects the personal and intimate aspect of her character.
- “Back to Before” from “Ragtime” – A powerful song about change and reflection.
- “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – Emphasizes her resilience and hope in the face of challenges.
Martha Jefferson
- “Goodnight My Someone” from “The Music Man” – A sweet, romantic song that fits Martha’s gentle and loving nature.
- “Till There Was You” from “The Music Man” – Reflects her romantic and tender personality.
- “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from “The Phantom of the Opera” – Captures her sense of longing and love.
- “Hopelessly Devoted to You” from “Grease” – A song about dedicated love, fitting for Martha’s character.
- “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady” – Showcases her joy and happiness.
- “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid” – For a more youthful and dreamy portrayal.
- “Love Never Dies” from “Love Never Dies” – A powerful ballad about enduring love.
Roger Sherman
- “The Colors of My Life” from “Barnum” – A thoughtful, introspective song suitable for Sherman’s pragmatic character.
- “Try to Remember” from “The Fantasticks” – Captures his reflective and balanced approach.
- “Who I’d Be” from “Shrek The Musical” – Reflects on his inner thoughts and aspirations.
- “I’m Not That Smart” from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – For a humorous and self-deprecating take.
- “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music” – A gentle, heartwarming song that can reflect Sherman’s quiet strength.
- “A Quiet Girl” from “Wonderful Town” – For a tender and sincere performance.
- “Purpose” from “Avenue Q” – A song about finding one’s place and role, fitting for Sherman’s character.
Dr. Josiah Bartlett
- “Sunrise, Sunset” from “Fiddler on the Roof” – Reflects on change and the passage of time, suitable for Bartlett’s wisdom.
- “It Takes Two” from “Into the Woods” – A song about partnership and collaboration.
- “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” from “South Pacific” – Captures his thoughtful and considerate nature.
- “A Man Could Go Quite Mad” from “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” – For a more dramatic and intense portrayal.
- “She Cries” from “Songs for a New World” – A nuanced song that can be adapted to showcase depth.
- “The Streets of Dublin” from “A Man of No Importance” – Reflects on seeing and understanding the world around him.
- “Someone Else’s Story” from “Chess” – A song about contemplation and understanding, fitting for Bartlett.
Col. Thomas McKean
- “Hadrian’s Wall” from “Hadestown” – Represents his steadfast and determined nature.
- “Fight the Dragons” from “Big Fish” – Reflects his bravery and commitment.
- “Stars” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – A powerful song about conviction and duty.
- “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha” – Captures his sense of purpose and idealism.
- “Into the Fire” from “The Scarlet Pimpernel” – Emphasizes a sense of heroism and leadership.
- “Man of La Mancha” from “Man of La Mancha” – A song about fighting for one’s beliefs.
- “Bring Him Home” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – A heartfelt prayer that can be adapted to reflect his concern for his country.
Andrew McNair
- “Ol’ Man River” from “Show Boat” – Highlights his wisdom and observational nature.
- “The Old Red Hills of Home” from “Parade” – A reflective song about time and change.
- “A Musical” from “Something Rotten!” – For a humorous and lighthearted portrayal.
- “Sit Down, Youβre Rockinβ the Boat” from “Guys and Dolls” – A fun, characterful song.
- “Master of the House” from “Les MisΓ©rables” – Showcases a comedic, light-hearted side.
- “I’m Not That Smart” from “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – A humorous song for a character actor.
- “When I’m Sixty-Four” by The Beatles – A light and playful song reflecting on age and time.
The musical ‘1776’ is a rich tapestry of courage, debate, and the forging of a nation, and each character offers a unique perspective on this pivotal moment in history. By choosing a song that aligns with the spirit of these characters, you’re not just auditioning for a role; you’re reviving a momentous era. So, step into those auditions with confidence, let your voice be heard, and may your performance capture the essence of ‘1776’ β a story of passion, politics, and the power of ideals. Break a leg, and may your portrayal be as memorable as the history you’re representing! ππΆ
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