Teen girl audition song needed!

• Teen MusicalTheaterFilter: Audition song for teen girl- make it a good one! My niece (age 14) will be auditioning for a “young adult” production of Sweeney Todd (maximum age 21) at a local community theatre. She has asked me to help her plan and prepare for her audition. She remains hopeful of getting a role although I have tried to keep it real and explain that it’s VERY unlikely that any of the leads will be 14-year-olds (except perhaps Toby). Also, I tried to explain that it’s extremely unlikely that someone brand-new to the group will be cast over someone they know who is a proven commodity. Kids struggle with this because it’s not _fair_ but it’s a fact. Even if she kicks major ass at the audition, they probably won’t cast her in a lead. I advised her to list the role she wants but to also say she’ll take any role, and go for the gusto. So- I can’t dissuade her, despite all of the above [AND my firm belief that there is no way a bunch of teenagers-twentysomethings can do this show justice. Ahem]. So she needs an audition song. I’m not used to working with teen voices, so I’m asking for help. She has never done any “real” theater, just little plays at church. She has a good voice, a great ear, learns quickly and can even do a damn good Cockney accent. She’s had experience singing in front of people and understands that she needs to cast her semi-geeky adolescent fears aside or the masses of experienced teens who are bound to show up at this audition will wipe the floor with her. She was all proud of the fact that she learned “By the Sea” (off the movie soundtrack!) but I had to explain that it’s not appropriate to sing from the show unless specifically asked to; plus, she wants the Beggar Woman role. Third, her voice is totally wrong for that song. In my opinion (and what my 25+ years of experience have shown me), the goal should be to get called back, so she can get over the first rush of terror and relax a bit in the comfort that she made it past the first round. The song needs to let her show her ability and make them want to see more of her. The song should (ideally) be somewhat bipolar in nature (as is The Beggar Woman)- she goes back and forth in her delivery between the lyrical, almost wailing upper range (“Alms, alms…”) and the low bawdiness of the “How’d you like to push me crumpet…” sections, etc. It doesn’t have to be Sondheim per se, but it needs to be more than just fluff and not Rent-type pseudo-pop. I will teach it to her and coach her so she doesn't have to learn it on her own. It needs to be the typical "your best 16 bars" worth, so it can't be a whole opus. Caveat- please don't refer me to anthologies. However, I would welcome other sites/forums where people in the know could assist. I know this is a tall order. It’s not “just another audition” since she will have so much invested in this. I REALLY want her to do well because to step into the world of theater will do wonders for her (she’s fairly introverted and appears shy but is actually very smart and would, I know, eventually shine as an actress and singer). Thanks for the help!

• Answer:

  "Turn Back, O Man" from Godspell could work, although you don't mention her voice type? I have my thinking cap on, I'll probably be back in this thread all day with new suggestions. Honestly, for a young adult production, I wouldn't worry too much about finding something that's just like this particular show, either- something that shows off her voice is top priority. It would be better to nail 16 bars of "Happy Birthday" than do a weak job on something that's all over the place.