Here's a couple do's and dont's that may be helpful to keep in mind when picking the perfect song.
DO:
Keep in mind what kind of show you are auditioning for.
Often, directors will ask that you sing a song in a similar style to the show you are seeking to be cast in. Even if they don't specifically ask, this is generally a good idea so that they can get an idea of how you would perform in the show. If you are auditioning for Phantom of the Opera, you wouldn't want to sing something like "A Bushel and a Peck" from Guys and Dolls. (You wouldn't actually want to sing "A Bushel and a Peck" period. But that's another story).
This is a helpful article from musicaltheatreresources.com about different genres. (Click link to view article)
Pick a song that is appropriate for you to sing.
It's important to sing a song that is a right for you vocally and in terms of lyrics. This means that you should find a song that fits comfortably in your range. If you are an alto, find a piece that is for an alto. If you sing better with head voice, then try to find a song that doesn't require a lot of belting.
Its also important to pick a song that fits your age. If you are a little girl auditioning for Annie, you should not sing something that Rose sings in Gypsy. You could sing something that Baby June sings, however.
Also, if you are auditioning for the role of an ingenue, like Cinderella, don't sing something like "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from The Little Mermaid, even if it is a Disney song.
Pick a song that allows you to act.
Sometimes when you are auditioning for a musical, there will be a chance to recite a monologue or do some sort of line reading that shows the directors your acting skills. However, sometimes you won't have this chance, and even if you do, your audition song is a great chance to show off your acting chops and show how you act when you sing.
DON'T:
Pick an overused song.
This is probably the most overused audition tip out there, but it's definitely true. You are disadvantaging yourself in numerous ways if you pick an overused song. 1) You are automatically being compared with the 3,456,789 other people who have sung the song as well as the artist who first recorded the song. 2) The director is tired of hearing the same song over and over and will be less likely to have patience or interest in your audition.
Instead of picking the same overused song, try exploring some more obscure musicals. You will be more memorable and may impress the casting director with your knowledge of musical theatre.
However, it's better to knock a common sing out of the park instead of being unsure on a less overdone one.
Here's a list of some overdone songs that would be good to avoid:
-"Tomorrow" from Annie
-"Defying Gravity" or "Popular" from Wicked
-"On My Own" from Les Miserables or anything else from Les Miz
-"Someone Like You" from Jekyll & Hyde
-"Being Alive" from Company
-"Run Away With Me" from The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown
-"Gimme Gimme" from Thoroughly Midern Millie
-"Corner of the Sky" from Pippin
There's a lot more overused songs so you can always look on some other lists online.
Pick a song with hard accompaniment.
Avoid most Sondheim. Avoid most Jason Robert Brown. If your accompanist can't play the song, you will find it very hard to sing. And singing a capella will not come off well.
Pick a song with an accent or strange voice.
This may just be my preference, but I've also heard from other audition advice lists that it's not a good idea to pick a song that requires you to sing in an accent or some voice that isn't yours. As great a song as "As Long As He Needs Me" is, unless you're actually Cockney, it's not going to be a great pick. The directors want to hear your own voice.
**If the director asks you to sing a song from the show, then none of these guidelines apply.
Hope this helped. Break a leg with your audition!!
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