Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a musical that demands depth and powerful vocal performances. Whether you’re auditioning for the Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett, Joanna, or one of the other complex characters, it’s important to choose a song that highlights your vocal range and conveys emotional intensity, a sense of humor, and dramatic depth.
Unless the director asks, you probably don’t want to sing songs from the musical itself — instead, we’ve put together a mix of Sondheim songs and other musical theater options that will showcase your musicality and your technical ability. (You’re going to need it for Sweeney!)
1. “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music
One of Sondheim’s most beloved songs, “Send in the Clowns” has an emotional depth that’s perfect for a character like Joanna or maybe even Mrs. Lovett. The song is overflowing heartache, longing, and regret, all while maintaining a delightful level of Sondheim-esque irony. It’s slow, reflective, and gives the singer space to explore the character’s emotional complexity. You could use it to showcase your vulnerability or to embody Mrs. Lovett’s unrequited affection for Sweeney.
Why it works: “Send in the Clowns” shows vocal control and depth, and its melancholic yet wry tone can resonate with the characters in Sweeney Todd who grapple with lost love and regret.
2. “Another Hundred People” from Company
This upbeat number from Company is perfect for a Sweeney Todd audition where you want to show off your ability to tackle Sondheim’s complex rhythms and lightning-fast lyrics. Although this song is about the frustrations and cynicism of living in a big city, it’s frenetic energy can be reinterpreted for a character like Mrs. Lovett or even Toby, who are constantly navigating the chaos surrounding them. You’ll need both vocal agility and emotional storytelling.
Why it works: “Another Hundred People” allows you to showcase strong comedic timing, vocal agility, and lively energy that fits the dark but playful tone of Sweeney Todd.
3. “I’m Still Here” from Follies
For a character like Mrs. Lovett, who balances optimism with dark humor, “I’m Still Here” is a fantastic choice. This song expresses resilience in the face of hardship and features a sense of humor that cuts through the melancholy tone. If you’re auditioning for a role with a distinct “survivor” mentality (like Mrs. Lovett), this is a perfect fit.
Why it works: The song has a vast emotional range—defiance, sadness, and triumph—that mirrors the inner lives of the characters in Sweeney Todd.
4. “I Know Things Now” from Into the Woods
This Sondheim song is an opportunity to portray the coming-of-age journey of a character who experiences a pivotal moment of realization. Though Little Red isn’t quite like Mrs. Lovett or Joanna, the song showcases a journey from innocence to awareness. It could be a great way to mirror the journey of a character like Joanna, who starts in a more sheltered world and gradually uncovers darker truths.
Why it works: “I Know Things Now” song has a youthful voice with moments of emotional vulnerability, making it the perfect option when auditioning for a character on the cusp of a life-changing transformation.
5. “Losing My Mind” from Follies
A classic Sondheim song that’s steeped in sadness and inner turmoil, “Losing My Mind” could be an ideal choice if you’re auditioning for Mrs. Lovett. The lyrics convey obsession, enduring love, and a bit of instability—all of which align with Mrs. Lovett’s obsession with Sweeney. It’s a song that requires an actress with a strong vocal presence and serious acting chops; you have to be able to connect deeply with the character’s struggle.
Why it works: “Losing My Mind” allows you to demonstrate range — as long as you can muster up a nuanced portrayal of longing, madness, and unreturned affection, much like Mrs. Lovett’s relationship with Sweeney.
6. “Not a Day Goes By” from Merrily We Roll Along
This song is an excellent choice when you’re auditioning for a character who’s experiencing longing or heartbreak. It’s a wistful ballad about unrelenting devotion and surprising self awareness; you could use it for Mrs. Lovett, Joanna, the beggar woman, or even Anthony. It’s a song that calls for raw emotion and a powerful, lyrical voice; it works well for belters and legit singers.
Why it works: The song is a beautiful testament to the complexity of emotion surrounding heartbreak — anger, vulnerability, and resignation. It’s also a great way to show what you can do with a repetitive lyric and melody.
7. “If I Loved You” from Carousel
Are you auditioning for Joanna in Sweeney Todd? This is a beautiful choice. It’s a bit more…major than anything Joanna sings, but the range and emotion is perfect. A skilled actor could even turn it into a really interesting take on Mrs. Lovett. This song captures the conflict between idealism and realism when someone’s in love. With its sweeping, melodic lines, it requires a performer who can balance tenderness with vocal power.
Why it works: The sincerity in the lyrics of “If I Loved You” can parallel the emotional arcs in Sweeney Todd, especially for characters like Joanna who are caught up in complicated relationships.
8. “Being Alive” from Company
Another number from Company, “Being Alive” the perfect choice for characters of all gender who are conflicted and desperately searching for a breakthrough. In Sweeney Todd, characters like Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett wrestle with desire, frustration, and a hunger for something more in their lives. This song is a fantastic way to display your emotional intelligence and the struggle to reconcile your desires with the consequences of their actions.
Why it works: The song’s satisfying build is perfect for showing a deep emotional journey, similar to that of some characters in Sweeney Todd.
9. “What More Do I Need?” from Saturday Night
If you’re in the market for a lesser-known Sondheim song to audition for Sweeney Todd with, this one captures the feeling that love conquers all other heartbreaks. It’s an interesting option for Mrs. Lovett, Anthony, Joanna. or even Tobias. The vibe isn’t quite Sweeney, but there are plenty of opportunities to make the piece your own.
Why it works: The song is full of joy and excellent lyrics…plus, it doesn’t sound like all of Sondheim’s other songs. (So you won’t be among the hordes of actors singing something from Into the Woods.)
When you’re auditioning for Sweeney Todd, it’s critical to capture the emotional depth, complexity, and dramatic flair that the musical demands. Whether you’re vying for the role of Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney, Joanna, or another character, these songs will allow you to showcase the emotional and vocal skills necessary for a memorable performance.