“DO NOT” lists can be controversial but can also be a great starting place to figure out if your singing something everyone else will be singing as well. The following can serve as a starting place for your rep search. I will update this list as I receive updates from agents, colleagues, etc.
In general:
Nothing with excessive profanity
Nothing that puts yourself up on a pedestal/says look at me! (i.e. Gorgeous from Apple Tree)
Nothing with excessive sexual innuendo
Do not play a mentally challenged person
Do not ask rhetorical questions of a sexual nature to the audition panel
Nothing from a current Broadway show
Nothing made famous by a specific artist (i.e. Barbara Streisand or Kristin Chenoweth)
From a top agent in NYC:
- Anything Jason Robert Brown
- Anything from Phantom of the Opera
- Girl in 14 G
- Taylor the Latte Boy
- Gorgeous (Apple Tree)
- Take a Chance on Me
- Run Away with Me
- I Gotta Run
- Neverland (Scott Alan)
- Mama Says
- Forest for the Trees
- Not for the Life of Me
- Gimme Gimme
- everything from Wild Party
- Screw Loose
- Privilege to Pee
- Here I Am
- Astonishing
- Show off
Overused selections (This is not always as important for college auditions, but it can serve as a warning and you may want to bring other songs. If the song is perfect for you, its probably ok for a college audition if its on the list below, for the list above, its probably not a good idea regardless of how well you sing it.)
- All I need is the girl
- Always true to you
- Anyone Can whistle
- At times like this
- Being Alive
- Corner of the sky
- If I loved you
- I’m not
- I’m not that smart
- In a very unusual way
- In my life
- It hurts me
- Johanna
- Not for the life of me
- Not while I’m around
- Notice me, Horton
- On the street where you live
- Sara Lee
- She Loves Me
- Should I be Sweet (or Hot)
- Don’t rain on my parade
- Easy Money
- Everybody’s girl
- Extraordinary
- Fifty Percent (50%)
- Forget about the boy
- Gimme Gimme
- Goodbye, old girl
- Good Think Going
- Gorgeous
- Home (Beauty and the Beast)
- Home from Phantom
- I cain’t say no
- I enjoy being a girl
- I met a girl
- I wanna be bad
- Ice Cream
- Life of the Party
- Lonely Town
- Look what happened to Mabel
- Lost in the wilderness
- Love Look Away
- Luck be a lady
- Mamma Says
- Man Wanted
- Many a new day
- Maybe this time
- Meadowlark
- Memory
- Miracle of Miracles
- My new philosophy
- My white night
- No man left for me
- Nobody does it like me
- Show me
- Stranger to the rain
- Take a chance on me
- That’ll show him
- The Story Goes on
- Tonight at 8
- Waiting for life to begin
- What do I need with love
- What is it about her?
- What you’d call a dream
- When did I fall in love
- When will my life begin (from Tangled)
- Wherever he ain’t
- Yes, my heart
- You can always count on me
- You’ve got possibilities
Shows to watch out for:
- Annie
- Baby
- Secret Garden
- Children of Eden
- The movie Fame
- Godspell
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (this one applies to college too)
- Phantom of the Opera (this one applies to college too)
- Any Disney films
- The Fantasticks
Top Monologues:
- Joan Cusack’s monologue (Is there, oh, ANY OTHER TIME you could have told me this?) — this has been VERY popular for at least three years now. Give it a rest.
- Squeaky Fromme from Assassins
- Darleen Dances
- Bridal Registry from A My Name is Still Alice
- Belize’s monologue about the national anthem from Angels in America
- Mom’s Ashes from I Think I Love You — I can’t BELIEVE this is STILL so popular… it is really getting ridiculous
- Murder Your Fish/Mess up your life a little… don’t know what it’s from but it must be in a monologue book somewhere because HOLY COW
- Diana from Moving (Quaker school… awards… someone is going to prick your bubble)
- Anything from Kellie Powell’s website (notmyshoes.net) – she’s a great person, lately every 1 out of 5 female auditionees at SU has a monologue from her site.
- Dog Face (Kellie Powell)
From: http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.com/performance/auditions/overdoneauditionsongs.html
- Good Morning Baltimore from Hairspray
- On My Own from Les Miserables
- Adelaide’s Lament from Guys and Dolls (why are teenagers always singing this? the character has been engaged for 14 years!)
- Memory from Cats
- I Hate Men from Kiss Me Kate
- All That Jazz from Chicago
- Wash That Man… from South Pacific
- Can’t Help Lovin’… from Show Boat
- Big Spender from Sweet Charity
- You Can Always… from City of Angels
- Shy from Once Upon a Mattress
- Tomorrow from Annie
- I Enjoy Being A Girl from Flower Drum Song
- Broadway Baby, Hard Hearted Hannah, Hit Me With a Hot Note from Follies
- Surrey With The Fringe On Top & I Can’t Say No from Oklahoma
- They Call the Wind Mariah from Paint Your Wagon
- Corner of the Sky from Pippin
- Summertime from Porgy & Bess
- The Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera
- Hero & Let’s Hear It For The Boy from Footloose
- Seasons of Love from Rent
- Big Spender from Sweet Charity
- Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid
- In My Own Little Corner from Cinderella
- Popular from Wicked
- Anthem from Chess
- This Is The Moment from Jekyll & Hyde
Overdone Audition Songs Not Associated With A Specific Show
- I Get a Kick Out of You
- Miss Bird
- Embracable You
- New York, New York
Entire Overdone Shows That Directors Are Sick Of
- Any show that the company you are auditioning for has done in the last five years.
- Whatever the “Hot New Musical” is… right now it’s Wicked
- The Sound of Music
- A Chorus Line
- Rent
- My Fair Lady
- Titanic
- Footloose
- Grease
- Jekyll & Hyde
- Little Shop of Horrors
- The Fantastiks
- Les Miserables
- Phantom of the Opera
- Evita
- Almost everything by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Watch Out For… Songs that are Problematic
(These songs may not necessarily be overdone, but have something that may make them inappropriate for auditions)
- Over The Rainbow fom The Wizard of Oz (this song belongs to Judy Garland)
- Any other “Signature Song”
One Last Thought
Almost every voice teacher in this country owns the Musical Theatre Anthology published by Hal Leonard. If the song you are planning to use is out of that book, there’s a strong possibility its overdone (not always) but if every voice teacher owns it, your odds for hearing others sing it are high. To increase your chances of finding something unique, try finding songs from books specific to a certain shows i.e. Vocal Selections from Aida. If you have a library in your home town, try looking for complete vocal piano scores of Golden Age shows. Also, remember most schools are only looking for a cut. If there is a part of a larger ensemble piece or duet, but it makes a good cut, you can use it.
I know that we’re heavily discouraged from using anything with accents or dialects, but I still can’t help but ask… “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour,” (Little Shop) I feel really showcase my voice perfectly and I love singing them. Should I not even consider them just because of Audrey’s dialect? Would doing one of them without the dialect be even worse then doing it with?
It depends what you’re auditioning for. If you are auditioning for an academic program and those are the songs that absolutely show you off the best and make you feel comfortable, then use them. I would tame down the dialect or not do it at all. However, be prepared to do the opposite of whatever you decide to prepare and have other selections available in case they ask. Most panels are not going to toss you to the side because you picked a “wrong song” they may just ask to hear it a different way or hear a different song. If they are going to hold it against you, you don’t want to go there anyway.
Matt
I have a similar question to Boechinko, albeit a bit on the late side. I did Little Shop in high school (as Seymour), and I can pretty much do all of the male songs from that show most comfortably, even without the accent. I know the show’s on the “overdone” list, but the “Dentist” song isn’t on the list. Would this still be advised against as an audition choice? I really enjoy doing it and it fits my voice well, but I can come up with another song if need be.
Sorry for the long delay, I was out of the country giving a masterclass. I rarely see or hear people singing the “Dentist” song. If it really fits you, I think you could use it, just be careful not to over act it. The role is meant to be ridiculous in the show because you are supposed to be a caricature. In a college audition, we want to see a real person, not a caricature. So if you can do it in a way that is a little less showy and a little more real, I think it could work, but if you can’t, try looking at other roles. Think more Dexter, than Steve Martin.
I am wondering if “Far From the Home I Love” from Fiddler on the Roof would be considered a good classical broadway ballad, or if it is overdone at all?
I think that is a fine choice. I would just make sure that your monologue and uptempo selections are a little more on the cheery/positive side.
Best,
Matt
I am about to audition for UK drama school and was planning to do Stars and The Moon from Songs For a New World by Jason Robert Brown. I feel I can perform this song well and it works nicely as I have to remain on a stool (ie no movement) while singing. Is this a no-no all the same? I don’t want to drop at the first hurdle because my song is too ‘done’.
Things in Europe are a little different than they are in the United States. I gave a masterclass earlier this fall in Sweden and almost every student had a Jason Robert Brown or John Bucchino song in their book and it seemed totally acceptable. You may want to email their admissions rep and ask them. England may be different and none these rules may apply. Good luck!
Matt
Hi there,
I noticed nothing from Into the Woods, either individual songs or the musical itself was on this list. Personally, I was under the impression that it was overdone. Is this not the case? Or does it find itself on the list as a no no under the “Nothing made famous by a specific artist” because of B. Peters? I am specifically interested in ‘Children Will Listen’ and ‘No One Is Alone’
These songs are not specifically on any of the do-not lists I’ve seen. However, they are by Sondheim, and in general Sondheim is a do not. Sondheim can be difficult to play and difficult to cut. The subject matter is often mature and not appropriate for young performers. Into the Woods is a little different though. If you feel like those songs are your best options, I think you’re ok. If you can find something else, you’re probably better off.
Are songs from Spelling Bee overdone?
Some say yes…?
Heather: Yes, I do see 25th on many of the do not lists and do hear it myself quite often. I think more of the problem with the show is what to use it for when auditioning? 25th is just about the only show with adult actors playing kids (with rated R minds) that I know of. There is of course You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, but there aren’t a whole lot of others. When picking an audition song for a specific show you want to make sure that it conveys a message that could fit one of the characters in that show. For a general call, you want to present something that show who you are. Most people are not adults that only play pre-pubescent kids, so Spelling Bee doesn’t really work.
Hope that helps.
Matt
I know that this is primarily for college auditions, but my question is for professional and regional auditions (NYC based, specifically). Do you know if other shows by Kerrigan-Lowdermilk besides Samantha Brown are “safe”? Also, is “Hold On” from Secret Garden one of the ones that I should steer clear of?
Kerrigan-Lowdermilk fall into what I call the “modern cabaret/musical theatre” category. Other composers include Pasek/Paul and Scott Alan. The material is becoming very overdone. Look the song your considering up on YouTube. IF there are a lot of videos, its probably overdone. If you aren’t finding many vids, there may not be as many people singing it and it could work. I don’t hear “Hold On” that often but I do remember trying to make a decent 16 bar cut of it once for a student and we had to be a little creative if I remember correctly.
Modern rep is always a challenge to find. At the end of the day, if you sing something that may be overdone, make sure you really think about it dramatically and try to bring something different to it.
Matt
I’ve seen Children of Eden on many lists, but I have had some good results with “In Whatever Time We Have” (male)… is it overdone? Is it a bad choice because it is from that show?
I rarely hear it myself. If you’ve had good results, then it must work for you. “Lost in the wilderness” is overdone as well as “Children of Eden”.
Matt
Hi, I have an audition for a High School regional project of Cinderella (R&H) and I am hoping for a stepsister part. I will be entering my freshman year of high school next year, look much older than I am (Have been mistaken for four years older than I am since the age of 11) and am a mezzo that has a large range (can sing way down to tenor and can sing many soprano songs).
Does anyone have any good audition songs?
I was going to do My New Philosophy, then thought again about it, and it is extremely overdone and characterizing. So that’s my backup plan.
does anyone know if taylor the latte boy is overdone in the UK?
SO what sort of things SHOULD be sung?
Review the information on understanding your type and age appropriate roles. If you go through the research in the “type” postings, you should have more than enough repertoire to choose from.
Matt
I will be auditioning for “Assassins” and I was wondering if Sarah’s part from “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” from Guys and Dolls would be an acceptable audition piece. I’ve never auditioned for a Sondheim show before so I’m worried that, though the song shows my full vocal range, it isn’t the type of song they’re looking to hear. They didn’t give any specifications on what type of song to sing, so I’m just going on what I sing best. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
What character are you going for?
Is “It Takes Two” from Hairspray overused? Also, although It Takes Two isn’t very fast, would it still be considered up-tempo?
I don’t think its overused, I think its more of a ballad, but if you use the bridge, you can probably move it a bit and it could come off as a moderate uptempo.
[...] pick a song that is unique. For a list of audition pieces that are overdone check out this blog on overused songs and monologues. Be original and choose something that makes you look [...]
Hello my name is Lydia I am auditioning for dance colleges in the Uk will it be the same for me? Thanks
The UK and Europe in general do have a different set of standards. For instance in Sweden, Golden Age repertoire is barely ever used in audition settings. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Hi! Not for the Life of Me from Millie is probably my best go-to audition song. It really shows off my voice well and I don’t have another song that can really compare to it. Should I try and find something else or wil this be a good audition song choice fro college auditions?
Yes, I would find something else if possible. The word is out that its overdone and I haven’t seen it this year, but its one of those songs I really don’t want to hear either.
Hi, i have a college audition coming up and my two choices for auditions were “See I’m smiling” from the last five years and “gimme gimme”. are they really that awful to do for college auditions even if i feel they showcase my voice?
Yes, I’d really try to find other material. Your material shows that you’ve done your homework, that you are fluent in the musical theatre repertoire and you have something unique to bring to the table. Both of those songs are regularly performed and don’t necessarily communicate the message that you are well versed in the literature. Try the process I suggest for picking the perfect audition song and finding your type, there is a lot of great material out there.
What is your opinion of the Emily monologues from Our Town?
I’ve seen them work. Just make sure its directed at someone and not just a recollection of a memory.
I’m auditioning for Into The Woods later this week. It’s a general audition, but I want to get the part of Little Red Riding Hood. I know it’s on one of the lists, but I feel that “My New Philosophy” would showcase my vocal range and attitude. Would it be considered ok for the audition?
In that instance, I think it makes sense and you could get away with it.
This is a great list, thank you! I completely realize Lloyd Webber is mainly off-limits; but would a song from his latest, (Love Never Dies), be a should-not as well? The show hasn’t made it to Broadway, and it doesn’t seem very well known as of yet. The titular piece shows off my range nicely; this would be for college… Another: my teacher has me doing “Show Me” from My Fair Lady as an uptempo option. Yea, nay?
Thank you very much!
Show me is great – not over done. I’ve had a student use a piece from Love Never Dies and it worked for him. I think its safe for now. Sorry its taken so long to get back to you, its a very busy time of the year. Break a leg!
PS. Once the musical, considered audition material?
Merci!
Sure. Its hot right now, but not many people have access to the music so I haven’t seen it pop up yet too often.
Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry to comment over and over; I’ll leave you in peace after this last question, I promise!
Somewhere, from West Side Story? Is this show still as overdone as I think it is?
Thank you, O MT Guru!
I don’t mind “Somewhere” its simple and direct. I’ve seen it several times this year, but I personally never get tired of it.
I am working on putting together a cabaret/dinner theatre show using overdone audition songs. The premise is simple, the songs should be relatively well known and canned versions of them should be readily available. I am writing it for a quartet, two woman and two men. One older couple and one younger, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone. Need to include duets, trios and a couple quartets as well as solos. Of course, with the popularity of Les Mis right now, will have a couple sets from that show. Any ideas out there?
Try the Facebook song, its been done quite a bit.
Is Reefer Madness overused? Also, for a college audition that requires two contrasting songs, do you think someone could get away with using an overused song with a song that isn’t used often, as long as each suits their voice?
I have never seen Reefer Madness in an audition. As far as it making up for an overused song, that’s hard to say. Some schools are more picky about that than others. At Shenandoah, as long as its done well we don’t care. But its in your best interest not to sing the same song as the last five guys so you are not compared to them.
Ok, the choosing of audition songs can prove to be a daunting task. It seems like there are so many songs on the DO NOT list that its hard to come up with songs to even use. I have 2 upcoming auditions, one for Les Mis and one for Into the Woods. For my Les Mis audition I had chosen to do You Must Love Me from Evita bc of the emotion that can be portrayed. But you mentioned selections from Evita being a bad choice. For my Into the Woods auditon I had chosen My White Knight which you also placed on the DO NOT list. So, do you have any suggestions on better selections for an audition for both of these shows???
Look up the posts on picking the perfect audition song and discovering your type. I think those two should lead you to a long list of repertoire that will serve you well for years to come. If the audition is coming up soon, stick with what you are comfortable with. If not, I think the Evita is fine, but I would work on finding an alternate for My White Knight.
Thank you! I’ve actually decided on another Sondheim song for the Into the Woods audition. I appreciate your input.
So I’” actually already in college but I am auditioning for the MUNY this weekend and I’m having second thoughts about my audition pieces. I’m trying to decide between “Falling in love with love” “when did I fall in love” and “yes my heart”. Oh gosh I need help.
Is it appropriate for a girl to sing a song that was originally performed by a man? I have a pretty low alto range and I feel comfortable singing some male songs such as “Goodbye” from Catch Me If You Can or “Beautiful City” from Godspell. I can sing higher songs as well, but I was just wondering.
Switching gender on a pop/rock song is usually ok, but with musical theatre you are better sticking to the gender in the show. When you sing a song for an audition, you are basically saying this is an excerpt of a role that I could sing.
Reblogged this on TheMusicalKiss and commented:
I think auditioning should depend on your voice. there are some songs that your voice can’t touch and there are those you would just smash. All you need to do is find the right fit for you. Are you comfortable singing it? Do you feel your chords are all right when you sing? Go for it! But I still think these songs are helpful
I’m a mezzo auditioning for a college program in a couple of weeks. I’ve had a really difficult time trying to find songs that weren’t overdone and that contrasted enough with each other…as of right now I am planning on singing “Sleepy Man” from the Robber Bridegroom as my ballad and “The Lady Is A Tramp” from Babes in Arms as my uptempo…does this sound like a safe pairing?
Yes, I think that sounds like a good combination.
Matt
Would you suggest avoiding ‘The Last Five Years?’ I’ve gone through a lot of different audition songs and I found that ‘If I didn’t believe in you’ suits me really well. Other than that I have no idea how to find song that aren’t done to death, as I’ve never really been that into musicals.
Ps, great list btw
I think that song is fine for an audition as long as it fits your type. I haven’t seen songs from “Last Five Years” that often lately so that show can probably be used sparingly. Women should still avoid Summer in Ohio (not as funny as people think it is in an audition) and I’m Still Hurting (too depressing/angsty for an audition).
I’m a jr. Thespian in Florida and want to do a solo next year for a district festival/competition. I was thinking of doing either Something’s Coming from West Side Dtory or Being Alive from Company. I’m torn between which one I should do. What song do you think would be better? Are there any other solos that you think I should do instead. This year I did Empty Chairs At Empty Tables from Les Miserables and did fantastic. Do you think I should do that again?
Taylor – Being Alive is too old for someone your age. Sondheim was writing for people in their 30s, not teenagers. Even Into the Woods is much deeper than teenagers understand even though its a very popular high school musical. Everything Les Mis should be off-limits right now because everyone who doesn’t read this blog is going to be singing it thanks to the movie. I think Something’s Coming is your best bet of those three. But I’d also check out age appropriate shows like 13 the Musical, Bare, and Spring Awakening. ~ Matt
Hi,
I am graduating from college with a BA in Theatre this spring and I have an audition for a professional musical theater company coming up. Would you say that this list applies to professional musical theatre auditions as well? Or are there more shows and songs that should be steered away from?
Thank you,
Katie
I would say this list applies to professional auditions as well. However, if you can sing a song better than anyone else and it is your absolute best song – sing it.
I’m auditioning for the musical theatre program at WCU and I see that you do not recomend to sing a song with an accent….but my vocal teacher wants me to sing Wouldnt it be loverly from my fair lady. Would that be a innapropriate uptempo song choice because she has a cockney accent. I will also be singing Look to the rainbow from Fibians Rainbow.
Western Carolina refers to this site for advice on “do not” lists. Therefore, I would say no to “Wouldn’t it be loverly.” That role is known for the cockney accent, singing it without an accent leaves out a vital part of the story.
Dear auditioningforcollege,
In about 2 weeks I will be auditioning for the musical Annie Get Your Gun, for the part of Annie. I have a good monologue but still need a song. I probably have about the same vocal range as Annie in this show. I am considering “Loverly” from My Fair Lady and “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story. You mentioned My Fair Lady as overused, and I feel like “I Feel Pretty” is also probably sung a lot. Your thoughts?
What type of theatre is it? Community, professional, educational?
It is my local theatre.
For a local theatre you should be fine with whatever you chose to sing. Just be sure that whatever you chose to sing shows you off at your best. – Matt
Thanks for the advice! I’ve decided to sing Loverly, and I think it will go just fine.
OMG! I’m OVERDONE! I feel so famous! This is fabulous. 1 in 5 females? I have cornered the market!
You are definitely famous Kellie! Seriously this year there were a ton of your monologues in auditions. I personally like some of the ones I’ve seen quite a bit. But there are so many people doing them without looking around for material from a play that fits them better, which is putting them on the overdone list. The internet monologues show a lack of work in getting to know the rep and that is what bothers an audition panel. But for anyone else reading, Kellie is a fabulous person and its worth following her career. ~Matt
I know you said Andrew Lloyd-Webber is a big no, which I would agree with. So many people tell me they’re going to use Memory or Think of Me etc. What about something from one of his more obscure works? Specifically “The First Man You Remember” from Aspects of Love.
I’ve never heard it in an audition, if its what you sing better than anything else, its worth a try. Aspects of Love doesn’t have the same stigma around it as Phantom or Love Never Dies.
I know this is mostly for college, but I’m auditioning for a performing arts highschool so I’m hoping the same rules apply. Is the song “I Enjoy Being a Girl” overdone? I hadn’t even heard it until just a few days ago, but I just want to make sure. Also, any suggestions for one of my two monolouges would be greatly appreciated.
For a performing arts high school that song should be fine. As for monologues, for a performing arts high school I don’t think you need to worry too much. They know you are seeking training, so they are just trying to see what you can do. Don’t try to overdue anything, just be yourself.
Matt