27 Best Musical Theatre Audition Songs for Mezzo-Sopranos

If you sing in mezzo-soprano and have an upcoming audition, you’ll want to impress the judges, which isn’t always easy. They expect you to differentiate yourself from the crowd because they’ve seen this done many times before. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best musical theatre audition songs for mezzo-sopranos.

1. “Hopelessly Devoted To You” from Grease

Song Year: 1978

Initially sung by Olivia Newton-John, this iconic song has maintained its popularity for generations. The song talks about being in love with the wrong person. The protagonist falls in love with the person despite being ignored and taken for granted.

The track is an excellent pick for an audition because most candidates are unlikely to select it, and the audience is familiar with it.

2. “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from Annie Get Your Gun

Song Year: 1946

The musical follows the story of a pioneer woman from the West. Annie Oakley was part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and a famous sharpshooter. The character’s departure from the norm accounts for the musical’s jovial tone.

The tune leaves a lot of room for individual interpretation. It’s an excellent track to perform while also playing the role, which the judges might find interesting.

3. “Secret Love” from Calamity Jane

Song Year: 1953

The musical features Doris Day as the star. The track is just one of many fantastic songs she performs in the film. She had feelings for ‘Wild Bill Hickok, but he didn’t want her.

The heartfelt love song will awaken memories for anyone who recalls the film. It’ll also appeal to those unfamiliar with the film, rendering it one of the best musical theatre audition songs for a mezzo-soprano.

4. “Home” From Beauty and the Beast

Song Year: 1994

Belle sings the song after exchanging places with her father in the Beast’s cell. She is heartbroken as the Beast commands her to join him for supper. She then meets a few of her captor’s servants, offering company and support.

Try to imitate Belle’s character when performing this song as she sings about finding her way home. If you can ideally bring out the song’s emotional lyrics, you’re sure to stand out from the crowd.

5. “Another Suitcase In Another Hall” by Evita

Song Year: 1977

Webber and Tim Rice use the suitcase as a metaphor to represent modern nomadism. It’s about individuals who are in constant motion without any foundation. Dickson controls the track with sadness and delicacy.

The song allows you to portray a character deeply into their emotions. You’ll give a fantastic performance if you can do that perfectly.

6. “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music

Song Year: 1959

The song conveys a message about striving to reach one’s goals in life, no matter how high you might be. The song allows mezzo-sopranos to show off their vocal range. It will test your voice, and the judges will be on the lookout for that. However, it will also show how to connect with the words and appropriately convey their message.

7. “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” from Grease

Song Year: 1978

The song is an excellent pick for the mezzo-sopranos audition because it gives you much freedom. After a brief introductory monologue, the singer immediately launches into the performance. If they’re searching for someone who can sing and act, this is the track to prove you’re the right candidate.

To do justice to the song, you must do more than sing it. You’ll need to replicate Rizzo’s performance in Grease, as everyone is familiar with her character. That includes what you’re wearing and how you move and speak.

8. “Somewhere” From Westside Story

Song Year: 1957

Next on our list is a timeless classic co-written by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein. It’s an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

It’s a fantastic composition full of feelings, emotion, and American history in the 1950s. It calls for both cautious and bold performance. You’ll need the self-confidence to attempt this, but you will impress the judges if you succeed.

9. “As Long As He Needs Me” from Oliver Twist

Song Year: 1960

The fantastic tune is part of Lionel Bart’s adaptation of Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist. The song tells the story of Nancy, an orphan from the streets of London who finds solace in Bill Sikes, a notorious criminal. Despite being a crook, she loves him deeply and defends him unconditionally.

However, she’s worried about his explosive anger, and he ends up murdering her. It’s a powerful song that requires a lot of emotional control and vocal range to do it justice. It would be best to convey the feeling to the audience to make a better impression.

10. “Hello Young Lovers” From The King And I

Song Year: 1951

The classic tune from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical film is an excellent choice for mezzo-sopranos looking for an audition song since it allows you to perform while acting out the lyrics. The heroine, Anna, sings when narrating about her late husband to the king’s wives and shows sympathy towards the youngest wife.

The judges will listen to your vocals and look for evidence of creative lyrical interpretation. They expect you to contextualize the message in your performance, rendering this tune a great pick.