Landing the role of Belle, Beast, Gaston, or any of the beloved characters in Beauty and the Beast requires more than just a pretty voice; it demands a performance that captures the essence of the character and the story's emotional depth. Choosing the right audition song is crucial for showcasing your vocal abilities and acting range. This guide will help you find the perfect song to impress your casting directors.
What Makes a Good Audition Song for Beauty and the Beast?
Before diving into specific song suggestions, let's consider the key qualities of a strong audition piece for this classic musical:
- Vocal Range and Skill: Choose a song that highlights your strengths while remaining within a comfortable range. Don't try to tackle a song that's too challenging; it's better to perform a simpler piece flawlessly than a difficult one poorly.
- Emotional Depth: Beauty and the Beast is full of emotion – love, fear, anger, hope. Select a song that allows you to convey these complex feelings convincingly.
- Character Suitability: Consider the character you're auditioning for. If you're trying out for Belle, choose something that reflects her intelligence, kindness, and inner strength. For Beast, you need something that captures his rage, vulnerability, and eventual tenderness. Gaston should be brash and confident.
- Style: The musical is primarily Broadway-style, so stick to songs within that genre. Contemporary pop songs usually aren't suitable.
Songs Perfect for Belle
Belle's character requires a delicate balance of strength and vulnerability. Here are a few songs that capture her essence:
- "On My Own" (Les Misérables): This ballad showcases Belle's yearning for something more than her provincial life and her loneliness amidst societal expectations.
- "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" (Phantom of the Opera): This powerful ballad displays Belle's longing for love and her quiet resilience.
- "I Dreamed a Dream" (Les Misérables): This is another poignant choice that displays Belle's hope, despite her circumstances, and her capacity for love.
What are some popular songs for Belle's audition?
Many find success auditioning with songs that capture the spirit of Belle's character without being directly from the Beauty and the Beast score. The above suggestions are solid starting points, and it's also wise to consider songs that demonstrate a similar range and emotional depth.
Songs Perfect for Beast
Beast's transformation requires a nuanced portrayal; his initial anger must give way to vulnerability and eventually, love. Suitable audition songs for Beast need to encompass a wide emotional spectrum:
- "If I Loved You" (Carousel): This duet (or a solo adaptation) allows you to showcase the emotional turmoil of a character wrestling with conflicting feelings.
- "Bring Him Home" (Les Misérables): This song can effectively portray Beast's protectiveness and deep-seated desire for love and connection.
- "The Music of the Night" (Phantom of the Opera): While possibly less direct, this piece can be interpreted to show Beast's loneliness and desperate need for affection.
What other songs work well for Beast auditions?
The key is showcasing the range of emotions that Beast experiences: anger, vulnerability, and love. Consider songs that demonstrate this evolution of feeling.
Songs Perfect for Gaston
Gaston is arrogant, self-assured, and boisterous. His songs need to project confidence and a certain swagger:
- "The King of New York" (Newsies): This strong and energetic song expresses Gaston's self-importance and desire for dominance.
- "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" (South Pacific): This dynamic song fits Gaston’s bravado and showcases a commanding stage presence.
- "Seize the Day" (Newsies): Gaston's impulsive and confident nature is perfectly captured by the upbeat rhythm and self-assuredness of this selection.
What should I look for in a Gaston audition song?
This character demands a high-energy piece that lets the actor's confidence and arrogance shine through.
Beyond the Leads: Other Characters
Consider the personalities of other characters, such as Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and the other enchanted objects. Their songs should reflect their quirks and individual stories.
Preparing Your Audition
Remember that selecting the perfect song is only half the battle. You need to practice diligently, master the lyrics, understand the emotional arc of the song, and work on your stage presence. A well-prepared audition with a fitting song dramatically increases your chances of success. Good luck!
