Audition Songs for Mary Poppins the Musical – by Character
Written by Tiffany Wilkie
January 10, 2018
If you are searching for the perfect audition song for Mary Poppins, then explore this list of expertly chosen song suggestions.
Auditioning for Bert (Baritone/Tenor)
The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
1. “Hushabye Mountain” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Auditioning for George Banks (Baritone)
The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding “precision and order” in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn’t have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul.
3. “The Beautiful Briny Sea” from Bedknobs and Broomsticks
4. “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men” from 1776
Auditioning for Winifred Banks (Mezzo-Soprano)
George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. A former actress, she is a loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband’s desire to only associate with “the best people” as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she’s not up to the job of “being Mrs. Banks,” yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
5. “Every Tear a Mother Cries” from Honk
Auditioning for Jane Banks (Soprano)
The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
7. “The Girl I Mean To Be” from The Secret Garden
Auditioning for Michael Banks (Treble/Boy Soprano)
The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
9. “Whistle a Happy Tune” from The King and I
Auditioning for Mrs. Brill (Alto)
The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harrassed, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn’t have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.
11. “Wouldn’t it Be Loverly” from My Fair Lady
Auditioning for Mary Poppins (Soprano/Mezzo)
Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.
13. “He Plays the Violin” from 1776
Auditioning for the Bird Woman (Alto)
Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. Sings “Feed the Birds.” There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.
15. “I’ve Gotta Crow” from Peter Pan
Auditioning for Miss Andrew (Soprano)
George’s overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things – her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.
17. “The Smell of Rebellion” from Matilda (transpose)
18. “Worst Pies in London” from Sweeney Todd
Listen to a Spotify playlist featuring these songs below:
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