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39 Best Musical Theater Audition Songs for Baritones

baritone singing a song on a musical theater stage

Every time an audition comes around, baritones have a unique problem — finding the perfect song. Sounds strange, right? After all, baritones are pretty darn well-represented in musicals.

The thing is, baritone is a tricky voice part to define. Some men have a strong upper range (hello, bari-tenors), while others fall into a bass-baritone part. That means that a baritone musical theater song that works for one singer might be all wrong for another.

Never fear, our deep-voiced friends! We’ve chosen some of our favorite traditional and contemporary baritone audition songs — there’s something for every voice. Whether you need a 16-bar cut for a Broadway show or a full song for a community theater audition, we have you covered.

Top image courtesy of Florida Grand Opera under CC BY 2.0

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These are some of the most popular — and dare we say, best — audition songs for baritones. You’ll recognize some of them, but we’re willing to bet others will be completely new!

1. “Gold Can Turn to Sand” from Kristina

https://youtu.be/cIaf9fvCJ4Y

The first time you listen to this baritone song, you might feel like it sounds familiar — and that’s because it’s written by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA (and Mamma Mia) fame! Rich and soaring, this is perfect for an audition for Les Misérables, Chess, Jekyll & Hyde, or any other musical with a pop-legit sound.

2. “Make Them Hear You” from Ragtime

When you need songs to show off your big, booming baritone or bass voice, “Make Them Hear You” is perfect. Do this one well, and you’ll blow the director’s socks off! Seriously — if you can open up your voice, this is one of those musical audition songs that will leave the room speechless.

3. “I Don Quixote” from Man of La Mancha

“I Don Quixote” has to be one of the most fun baritone songs in the entire musical theater canon. The vocal line has a satisfying ballad-y feel, but the speedy accompaniment keeps it moving. This is a particularly good piece if your voice is strong in the bass-baritone voice.

4. “Where Is The Life That Late I Led” from Kiss Me Kate

For a singer with musical theater comedy chops, this song is a gold mine! In fact, we’d go so far as to say that it’s one of the best Broadway solos for baritones. Make sure you have the acting talent to back it up — it takes serious skill to differentiate all of those similar-sounding verses. Will Chase did a masterful job on Broadway (see video above) in 2019; you can’t even see his face, and it’s still interesting.

5. “Me” from Beauty and the Beast

Are you auditioning for a character who’s a bit of a rapscallion? A Disney villain song is the perfect choice; it’s devious but not too evil. “Me” offers a similar challenge to “Where Is the Life that Late I Led? — it’s super easy to settle into the pleasant, lilting melody, but you need serious acting skills to make it your own. Plus, keep in mind that this is one of those baritone musical theater songs about manhood that everyone knows — make sure you have it down.

6. “Stars” from Les Miserables

This is one of those baritone musical theater songs that’s a little bit overdone, but if you can sing the heck out of it, it’s impossible to resist. (There’s a reason it’s so popular, after all.) Just make sure you can make those big notes soar! Best for community theatre; NOT one of our recommended songs for a professional audition.

7. “Soliloquy” from Carousel

Fair warning: we only recommend “Soliloquy” for experienced, talented baritones. It’s well-known and seriously challenging. Plus, it’s one of those men’s musical theater songs that’s been done and done well, so you need to measure up! If you can bring the power, you’ll wow the people at auditions. Need something to aim for? Check out Stephen Pasquale starting around 1:20 in this video from the Lyric Opera of Chicago. That is how “Soliloquy” should be performed.

8. This Nearly Was Mine from South Pacific

First of all — can we talk about Howard Keel’s amazing voice? It has everything that makes a baritone so compelling, from those deep undertones to the resonant mid-range. Gorgeous! “This Nearly Was Mine” is another song from South Pacific. It’s not as frequently done as “Some Enchanted Evening,” which makes it a fantastic musical theater audition song; it’s familiar but not overdone. Get yourself a killer accompanist who can put emotion into those ascending notes, and you’ll nail the audition.

9. “Home” from The Wiz

https://youtu.be/j0UbFUtrjLU

Okay, so maybe The Wiz isn’t the most modern musical, but the sound is a nice bridge between contemporary and legit. (Norm Lewis walks the line beautifully.) And yes, it was written for a woman, but it falls beautifully into a lower male voice. If you’re a baritone belter, let it fly. If you have some riffs under your belt, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to work them in.

Contemporary Baritone Musical Theater Songs

Yes, we know — modern musical composers love a showy tenor. (yawn) It’s a little more challenging to find contemporary baritone audition songs; start with these great tunes.

10. “It All Fades Away” from The Bridges of Madison County

If you’re auditioning for a country or folk musical, “It All Fades Away” makes an exceptional baritone audition song. It’s from The Bridges of Madison County, so it’s not a commonly done piece…but since it’s written by Jason Robert Brown, the music sounds vaguely familiar from the start. If you happen to be a baritone belter, listen to the section starting at 3:12!

11. “Sailing” from A New Brain

Introspective and very beautiful, “Sailing” is one of those songs just glides along. We love the grand note at 1:35. This is a lovely baritone audition song for a contemporary musical with some heft — you can show off your belt, but it also has a nice foundation that highlights the depth of a classically trained voice.

12. “Forest For The Trees” The Spitfire Grill 

A little folksy, a little Jason Robert Brown-y, this song is one of those baritone audition songs that you can bet no one else will be singing. We like it for Bridges of Madison County or other musicals with a folk/country sound.

13. “You Walk with Me” The Full Monty 

Do you need musical theater audition songs for baritones that work for something like Mamma Mia or another new show with a retro vibe? “You Walk with Me” is a great option. It has a few distinctly contemporary moments, and it’s a fantastic way to show off your tenor range. (For more higher-voiced songs, check out our favorite musical theater audition songs for tenors.)

14. “You Should Be Loved” from Sideshow

This is one of those gorgeous songs that perfectly shows off a voice that sits right on the baritone bass line, with a strong high range. We love that you can make it lean contemporary or classic, depending on how you treat the sustained notes.

15. “Purpose” from Avenue Q 

https://youtu.be/5glOLjR7VK4

When you’re in a search to add contemporary baritone songs to your book, “Purpose” is a great choice. It’s new enough that people know it, but not so much that everyone will want to do it.

16. “This is the Moment” from Jekyll & Hyde 

Okay, so this song is kind of schmaltzy, but if you can embrace it, it can be pretty impressive. This is also a great option if you have a strong high range, or if you’re looking for baritone belting songs for poppy musicals.

17. “Love who you love” from A Man of No Importance

How much do we love the message of this one? This is a lovely, versatile song that can work for a variety of theatre types. Plus, since it’s so emotional, it offers plenty of range for acting.

18. Falcon in the Dive from Scarlet Pimpernel

Are you auditioning for a role with a bunch of speak-singing, like Harold Hill in The Music Man or Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady? This is one has a bit of that; it also has some gorgeous, big notes, so you can show off your range. It’s pretty versatile — you could easily make it work for a Les Mis audition, too.

Traditional Baritone Audition Songs

Traditional musical theater has some of the best roles for baritone singers. Whether you’re auditioning for a Golden Age show or a classic piece like The Pajama Game, these songs fit the vibe.

19. “Joey, Joey, Joey” from The Most Happy Fella

Before you do anything else, start listening at 1:30, and pay attention to that gorgeous fall just before 1:40. Done? Okay, now that you’re hooked; go back and listen to the whole thing. “Joey, Joey, Joey” comes from the Frank Loesser musical The Most Happy Fella. The tune is reminiscent of “Goodbye, Old Girl” from Damn Yankees.

20. “Thousands Of Miles” from Lost in the Stars

Lost in the Stars is a rarely produced musical by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson — it’s a gold mine of underrated baritone musical theater songs. “Thousands of Miles” is written for a bass-baritone; you might use it to audition for Ragtime or South Pacific. Here is another version.

21. “It’s a Fish” from The Diary of Adam and Eve (or The Apple Tree)

Looking for upbeat musical theatre songs? This one fits the bill! The accompaniment is so bouncy that the director won’t be able to help but smile.

22. “Foolish to Think” from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Do you need songs for a lightweight baritone bass voice? This song shows it off nicely; nothing too dramatic or big, but it moves nicely. It’s from the musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder — we like it as an audition song for Freddy in My Fair Lady. (The vibe is very much “On the Street Where You Live.”)

23. “Funny” from City of Angels

This song has a bit of a Frank Sinatra sensibility with a hint of Golden Age charm — it could be the perfect audition song for a musical like Guys and Dolls or Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The music has a nice mix of uptempo lines and sustained notes; you’ll also get the chance to show off your resonant top range.

24. “If I Can’t Love Her” from Beauty and the Beast

When you need a baritone musical theater song for a Disney show or the tortured male love interest in practically any musical, “If I Can’t Love Her” is an interesting choice. It’s a good opportunity to show off your emotional range — bonus points if you can do it in a way that’s subtle rather than melodramatic.

25. “A Fellow Needs A Girl” from Allegro

It can be challenging to find Rodgers and Hammerstein baritone songs that aren’t overdone. This piece is from the musical Allegro, which is rarely produced. That’s great news — it means that literally no one else will be singing this song. This one would be a great audition song for Oklahoma or Camelot.

 26. “Put on a Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie

When you’re auditioning for a musical like How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying or Damn Yankees, you need musical theater songs with a vintage vibe? This light, playful song is a nice alternative to a ballad — bust out all of your charm, maybe work on a wink, and embrace that smooth 50s style!

Funny Baritone Audition Songs

In musical theater, baritones are so often cast in the leading-man role. But! If you’re lucky enough to find an audition for a musical with a funny role, try one of these songs.

27. “Last One Picked” from Whoop-Dee-Doo

If you’re a bari-tenor, “Last One Picked” is a fantastic funny baritone audition song. The lyrics are all about getting picked last in gym class and moving past it in adulthood. It’s easy to learn, and you’ll get to sing lines like, “rejected by the rabble.”

28. “The Brain” from Young Frankenstein

Of all the baritone theatre songs for auditions on our list, this might be the ballsiest. You’ll need good timing, excellent facial expressions, and a big sense of fun. This is one of those Broadway songs that isn’t overdone, but is just familiar enough to make people smile at auditions. Many times, it’s just the thing your book needs.

29. “I Am Adolpho” from The Drowsy Chaperone

Need something fun for an audition for a baritone character role? This is a fun one that shows off your comic skills. Does the music sound familiar? Look at #3 — you’ll hear the influence of “I Don Quixote.”

Rock Musical Theater Songs for Baritones

Rock musicals tend to be tenor-heavy, so it can be challenging to find a good baritone song for a rock audition. We’ve combed through the best rock musical theater songs and found the lowest-pitched options.

30. “Children of Rock” from School of Rock

“Children of Rock” comes from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical School of Rock. In the show, it’s a duet between a tenor and a baritone; the music will probably sit in the high end of a baritone range, but not uncomfortably so. Plus, the melody is incredibly easy to learn, so you’ll be able to put your own spin on it.

31. “Fight From The Heart” from Rocky

Despite the name, Rocky isn’t a rock musical. The lead character is a baritone — and there’s a great section in the middle of “Fight from the Heart” that makes a decent 16-bar audition cut for a rock musical. (0:56-1:36 in the video above)

32. “Awful People” from Jasper in Deadland

https://youtu.be/DgmVTUbcIxE

Jasper in Deadland is a fun little pop-rock musical that’s based on the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. “Awful People” is a song by Mr. Lethe, a character in the underworld. It has a satisfying score and lyrics that are a blast to sing. This musical premiered in 2014 — interestingly, with a book by Hunter Foster — so it’s a great fit for any contemporary rock musical.

Easy Baritone Musical Theater Songs

Sometimes, you just need an audition song that’s a breeze to sing. It’s good to keep a few easy baritone musical theater songs around for days when you’re sick or your voice just isn’t feeling its best.

33. “Camelot” from Camelot

https://youtu.be/4TvL7YlVWEo

“Camelot” is one of those classic Lerner and Loewe songs that’s beautiful in its simplicity. The best part? It doesn’t sound overly easy, so it’s a great song to sing when you don’t have much time to prepare for an audition. The notes sit solidly within a standard baritone range; there’s not a whole lot in the upper or lower parts of your voice. (Good news if you’re returning to singing after a hiatus!)

34. “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful” from Cinderella

Any time you need an easy baritone musical theater song, Rodgers and Hammerstein are your guys. Their musicals are packed with gorgeous pieces that are delightful to listen to and easy to sing. This song from Cinderella is no different; it’s charming, melodic, and you can get the tune down quickly. Make sure you have a seamless transition from the low to high end of your range — you’ll need it to make the higher notes feel effortless. In the video above, note how Santino Fontana (a classic bari-tenor) lightens up around 1:10.

35. “Try to Remember” from The Fantasticks

https://youtu.be/hCmJ4F7U-fo

“Try to Remember” is an easy baritone song — once you master those intervals, that is! Don’t worry: the melody will carry you along. We love this one not only because it’s lovely to listen to, but also because it gives you a chance to show off your low baritone notes and the big resonance in your mid-range.

Upbeat Baritone Musical Theater Songs

Ballads are a baritone’s bread and butter, but when you’re auditioning for a character role, an upbeat song is a must. These speedy songs show off your articulation and rhythm — they’re also a fun way to show something new to a familiar director.

36. “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” from The Pirates of Penzance

Upbeat baritone songs aren’t easy, and this one is no different. It’s infamous for its challenging lyrics — make sure to do a few articulation exercises before your audition! Ignore the choral parts; you can easily make an audition cut from one of the major-general’s verses.

37. “The Sadder but Wiser Girl” from The Music Man

The Music Man is infamous for its speak-singing leading man, Harold Hill. “The Sadder But Wiser Girl” has a decent blend of singing and speaking. If you can stay right in the center of the pitch, the jazzy ending is a good chance to showcase your voice.

38. “Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today” from Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown

Fun and unexpected, “Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today” is one of the easiest uptempo musical theater songs for baritones. It’s a breeze to learn; just make sure your accompanist can speed through the jaunty accompaniment! This song is from the rarely produced musical, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown. We can practically guarantee that no one else in your audition will be singing it.

39. “Luck Be a Lady” from Guys and Dolls

“Luck Be a Lady” is one of those rare uptempo baritone songs that doesn’t sacrifice melody for speed. The tune is legendary! It moves along quickly, but not so fast that it hides the quality of your voice. We like it for baritones with a solid lower range; you’ll need it for the deep notes on “luck, be a lady tonight.”

Baritones, what other contemporary musical theatre audition songs are you into these days? We’re dying to know the baritone musical theater songs that are making it into your book as you search for new repertoire. Let us know, and we’ll add your favorites to the list!