So I have an audition coming up at the end of the summer, and I have to sing the classic 16 bars. I've been working on one song with my voice teacher, it fits my range really well, the big belt section at the end is exactly 16 bars, I love the song, and I think I can do really well with it. However, the song choice is a little complicated.....
~ It's from Hairspray, and I know that's usually a show to stay away from
~It's from the movie Hairspray, so it wasn't even in the Broadway show
~ However, in the movie it is a deleted scene, so it's not in the movie, just on the soundtrack ("I can wait" for those of you who are familiar).
~ I think the main reason people advise against songs from shows like Hairspray or Wicked is because they are heard too much at auditions. But I feel like this song is not something everybody knows. It's not a typical audition piece, so I'm hoping it might be ok to do it, since the director probably has not heard it before.....?
What do you guys think?

I say go for it. Being a cut song from the movie, the odds of a lot of people singing it are pretty slim in my opinion, and if you're comfortable and it shows off your voice, then I definitely think you should stick with it.

Honestly, I do hear a *ton* of Wicked at auditions, but nowhere near as much Hairspray. In fact, I wouldn't even put Hairspray in the top 3 shows that are oversung at auditions (at least in my area). Wicked, Les Mis & Thoroughly Modern Millie are the ones I hear over an over.

So all that so say, I think you're pretty safe.

thanks!

and thanks for telling me the top 3 shows, because my other option was from Millie! (although I ruled it out because I was in a performance of millie, and didn't want the directors to think that I only know songs from shows I've done)