The Best Audition Songs for Carousel (By Character)

Getting ready for an audition in Carousel? You’re in for a real treat! This classic musical, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, is filled with unforgettable characters and timeless music. From the troubled yet passionate Billy Bigelow to the sweet and hopeful Julie Jordan, each role has its own unique challenges and emotional depth. Finding the right song to showcase your talent while capturing the essence of these characters is key to standing out in the audition room. In this post, I’ve gathered a list of era-appropriate songs for each character that will help you bring your performance to life and make a lasting impression.

Billy Bigelow

1. “If I Were a Bell” – Guys and Dolls (Loesser)
2. “The Life I Lead” – Mary Poppins (Sherman)
3. “The Devil You Know” – The Devil’s Advocate (Schoenberg)
4. “I Can’t Help Singing” – Show Boat (Kern and Hammerstein)
5. “What Would You Do?” – Pippin (Schwartz)
6. “My Heart Stood Still” – A Connecticut Yankee (Rodgers and Hart)
7. “Soliloquy” – Carousel (but consider a contemporary character-driven song that embodies his struggle, like “I’m Still Here” – Follies (Sondheim) as an alternative.)

Julie Jordan

1. “In My Own Little Corner” – Cinderella (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
2. “I Dreamed a Dream” – Les Misérables (Boublil and Schönberg)
3. “Hold On” – The Secret Garden (Sergio Trujillo)
4. “Goodbye, Little Yellow Bird” – Mame (Herman)
5. “The Girl That I Marry” – Annie Get Your Gun (Berlin)
6. “Will He Like Me?” – She Loves Me (Bock and Harnick)
7. “Why Do I Love You?” – Show Boat (Kern and Hammerstein)

Carrie Pipperidge

1. “A Cockeyed Optimist” – South Pacific (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
2. “I Enjoy Being a Girl” – Flower Drum Song (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
3. “The Girl I Mean to Be” – The Secret Garden (Sergio Trujillo)
4. “My Favorite Things” – The Sound of Music (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
5. “Dancing on the Ceiling” – Penny Arcade (Gershwin)
6. “A Little Brains, a Little Talent” – Drowsy Chaperone (Lage)
7. “The Best Things in Life Are Free” – Good News (DeSylva, Brown, and Henderson)

Mr. Snow

1. “If I Were a Rich Man” – Fiddler on the Roof (Bock and Harnick)
2. “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” – South Pacific (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
3. “Something’s Coming” – West Side Story (Bernstein and Sondheim)
4. “The King of the Sea” – The Little Mermaid (Menken)
5. “I’m Not at All in Love” – Brigadoon (Lerner and Loewe)
6. “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” – Dean Martin
7. “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” – George and Ira Gershwin

Nettie Fowler

1. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Carousel (but consider a contemporary character-driven song that embodies her nurturing nature, like “Climb Every Mountain” – The Sound of Music (Rodgers and Hammerstein))
2. “My Best Girl” – The Apple Tree (Bock and Harnick)
3. “What I Did for Love” – A Chorus Line (Hamlisch and Kleban)
4. “The Impossible Dream” – Man of La Mancha (Leigh)
5. “Just in Time” – Bells Are Ringing (Comden and Green)
6. “My Heart Will Go On” – Titanic (Dion)
7. “I’ve Dreamed of You” – My Fair Lady (Lerner and Loewe)

Jigger Craigin

1. “I’m Still Here” – Follies (Sondheim)
2. “All I Need Is the Girl” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Styne)
3. “Luck Be a Lady” – Guys and Dolls (Loesser)
4. “If I Can’t Have You” – The Cider House Rules (Brown)
5. “Hey, Look Me Over” – Wildcat (Coleman)
6. “I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning” – Annie Get Your Gun (Berlin)
7. “What You Own” – Rent (Larson)

Mrs. Mullin

1. “I Want to Be a Producer” – The Producers (Brooks)
2. “A Little Brains, a Little Talent” – Drowsy Chaperone (Lage)
3. “Let Me Be Your Star” – Smash (Variety)
4. “I Can Do That” – A Chorus Line (Hamlisch)
5. “I Don’t Care Much” – Cabaret (Kander and Ebb)
6. “Ain’t She Sweet” – Milton Ager
7. “Don’t Tell Mama” – Cabaret (Kander and Ebb)

The Starkeeper

1. “Who Am I?” – Les Misérables (Boublil and Schönberg)
2. “The Best Things in Life Are Free” – Good News (DeSylva, Brown, and Henderson)
3. “The Impossible Dream” – Man of La Mancha (Leigh)
4. “Younger Than Springtime” – South Pacific (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
5. “I’ll Be Seeing You” – Billy Holiday
6. “It Might as Well Be Spring” – State Fair (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
7. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Jerome Kern

As you prepare for your audition for Carousel, remember that the right song can truly elevate your performance. Each character has a distinct voice and story, and choosing a song that resonates with their journey will not only highlight your vocal abilities but also your understanding of the role. With this list of song suggestions, you’ll be well-equipped to find that perfect piece that showcases your talent and aligns with the spirit of this beautiful musical. So take a deep breath, embrace the character you’re auditioning for, and go in there with confidence. You’ve got this!