The Best Audition Songs for The Fantasticks (By Character)

Auditioning for The Fantasticks offers a unique opportunity to explore characters that are whimsical, romantic, and deeply expressive, all set against the backdrop of a timeless and intimate musical. Choosing the right audition song is essential for capturing the essence of these characters without resorting to songs directly from the show. Whether you’re aiming to embody the roguish charm of El Gallo, the innocent dreams of Luisa, or the comedic flair of Henry, selecting songs that match the style and tone of The Fantasticks can make your audition truly stand out. Below, you’ll find tailored song recommendations that capture the spirit of each character, drawing from other works by the composers, similar musicals, and even popular music, ensuring your performance is memorable and true to the world of The Fantasticks.

El Gallo

1. “I’ve Got Your Number” – Little Me (mischievous, charismatic, with a playful edge)
2. “Jailer’s Song” – The Threepenny Opera (darkly humorous and charismatic)
3. “Try a Little Tenderness” – Otis Redding (soulful, smooth, and emotionally resonant)
4. “I Am I, Don Quixote” – Man of La Mancha (bold, dramatic, and reflective of a storyteller’s persona)
5. “Mack the Knife” – The Threepenny Opera (charming, slightly dangerous, and sly)
6. “Fugue for Tinhorns” – Guys and Dolls (playful and shows El Gallo’s charm and wit)
7. “Luck Be a Lady” – Guys and Dolls (charismatic, with a confident, showman-like quality)

Luisa

1. “Simple” – Nine (dreamy, reflective, with a sense of longing and youthful hope)
2. “In My Own Little Corner” – Cinderella (innocent, hopeful, and captures Luisa’s imagination)
3. “Somewhere That’s Green” – Little Shop of Horrors (sweet, naive, and longing for a better life)
4. “The Light in the Piazza” – The Light in the Piazza (romantic, captures innocence and discovery)
5. “Think of Me” – The Phantom of the Opera (captures her idealistic and romantic nature)
6. “Moonfall” – The Mystery of Edwin Drood (dreamy and longing, with a sense of mystique)
7. “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” – Cinderella (pure, hopeful, and whimsical)

Matt (The Boy)

1. “Giants in the Sky” – Into the Woods (adventurous and captures a sense of self-discovery)
2. “Corner of the Sky” – Pippin (expresses yearning and the desire to find one’s place in the world)
3. “Out There” – The Hunchback of Notre Dame (reflects Matt’s longing to explore the world)
4. “I’m Not That Smart” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (shows a youthful, earnest quality)
5. “One Song Glory” – Rent (intense, with a yearning for meaning and legacy)
6. “What Do I Need with Love” – Thoroughly Modern Millie (captures a mix of bravado and vulnerability)
7. “Take a Chance on Me” – Little Women (reflects his romantic, idealistic nature)

Hucklebee (The Boy’s Father)

1. “Reviewing the Situation” – Oliver! (reflective, slightly comedic, and shows a scheming mind)
2. “It’s a Fine Life” – Oliver! (upbeat, with a practical and slightly cynical edge)
3. “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” – My Fair Lady (pragmatic and affectionate)
4. “Marry Me a Little” – Company (reflective, pragmatic, and with a touch of yearning)
5. “If I Were a Rich Man” – Fiddler on the Roof (humorous and reflective, captures a father’s practicality)
6. “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – Kiss Me, Kate (playful, comedic, and captures Hucklebee’s fatherly charm)
7. “The Old Red Hills of Home” – Parade (nostalgic, slightly dramatic, and grounded)

Bellomy (The Girl’s Father)

1. “You’re the Top” – Anything Goes (upbeat and light-hearted, reflects Bellomy’s humorous side)
2. “Comedy Tonight” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (light-hearted, comedic, and engaging)
3. “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (playful and slightly scheming)
4. “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” – Cinderella (reflects a more reflective, sincere side)
5. “No More” – Into the Woods (captures the weary, wise, and reflective nature of the character)
6. “I Remember It Well” – Gigi (playful, nostalgic, and charming)
7. “Fatherhood Blues” – Baby (playful and reflective of his role as a parent)

Henry (The Old Actor)

1. “Comedy Tonight” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (captures his comedic and larger-than-life persona)
2. “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” – The Pirates of Penzance (fast-paced, witty, and grandiose)
3. “Master of the House” – Les Misérables (boisterous, theatrical, and comedic)
4. “Reviewing the Situation” – Oliver! (reflective, slightly comedic, with a sense of theatrics)
5. “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – Kiss Me, Kate (cheeky, theatrical, and entertaining)
6. “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love” – Finian’s Rainbow (playful and full of old-school charm)
7. “A Wand’ring Minstrel I” – The Mikado (theatrical, comedic, and grand)

Mortimer (The Man Who Dies)

1. “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” – Kiss Me, Kate (comedic, playful, and reflective of Mortimer’s comedic timing)
2. “Reviewing the Situation” – Oliver! (fits Mortimer’s slightly bumbling, introspective nature)
3. “I’m Calm” – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (fast-paced, comedic, and shows his knack for slapstick)
4. “Where Was I When They Passed Out the Luck?” – Minnie’s Boys (comedic, slightly self-pitying, and playful)
5. “Officer Krupke” – West Side Story (upbeat and comedic, fitting Mortimer’s bumbling side)
6. “The Worst Pies in London” – Sweeney Todd (fast-paced, slightly chaotic, and comedic)
7. “Me” – Beauty and the Beast (over-the-top, comedic, and slightly self-absorbed)

The Mute

(While typically a silent role, here are song suggestions that could match the interpretive, whimsical nature of The Mute):

1. “Pure Imagination” – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (reflective of the magic and silent influence)
2. “Send in the Clowns” – A Little Night Music (introspective and deeply expressive)
3. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – The Wizard of Oz (magical and imaginative)
4. “Some Enchanted Evening” – South Pacific (lyrical, emotive, and expressive)
5. “The Music of the Night” – The Phantom of the Opera (captures the Mute’s silent and guiding presence)
6. “Feed the Birds” – Mary Poppins (reflects a quiet but impactful presence)
7. “Blackbird” – The Beatles (quiet, introspective, and captures the Mute’s subtle influence)

Finding the perfect song for your audition is a vital step in bringing the characters of The Fantasticks to life. By choosing songs that resonate with the show’s charm, romance, and playful spirit from other appropriate sources, you’ll not only demonstrate your understanding of the character but also your versatility as a performer. Whether you’re serenading with a hopeful ballad or delighting with a comedic number, these song suggestions are designed to help you shine in the audition room and capture the magic of The Fantasticks. Step into your audition with confidence, let your unique talents flourish, and embrace the timeless enchantment of this beloved musical. Break a leg!

Photo by Bhanuka Dilshan on Unsplash