so about a year ago, I attended a master class and was given a list of songs to have in my audition song portfolio by type/composer/era and have yet to find a patter song. There really aren't too many for men. There's the Major General's song in Pirates of Penzance and I've heard of one from Oliver!, however I'd like to do one that isn't heard often, so does anyone have any suggestions?
Also, for those who saw Chaplin during its run, would Sennet Song be considered a patter song? Or is a bit too slow to be considered one?
Both Sides of the Coin from The Mystery of Edwin Drood. It's a duet, but I'm fairly certain it could work here.
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There is a song from "Barnum" where he describing the wonders he has ("A whole lotta terra cotta...") that is definitely a patter song. If you can speed it up, all the better.
Although not from a musical (though put into a revue), "The Elements" by Tom Lehrer would fit. Not specifically for a man to sing, but it has traditionally been done by a male singer.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
"Tschaikowsky (and Other Russians)" from Lady in the Dark.
Danny Kaye had a great success with this one.
In addition, there's "Let's Not Talk About Love"--also Cole Porter and Danny Kaye. From LET'S FACE IT, 1941, and the patter is a little more varied than the many Russian names of "Tschaikowsky". ("Let's Not Talk" does have a simple tune, that usually gets dropped as the tempo increases, but so does much of "Trouble".)
ETA: "Tschaikowsky" is NOT Porter, it's Weill and Ira Gershwin, as After Eight and others made clear. I am an idiot.
The charming Embassy Lament from Chess, at a proper pace, would fit here. I might just be biased, though, because I really love that song. There's also "The Caper" from 70, Girls, 70, though it doesn't make a lot of sense on its own.
Speaking of Gilbert and Sullivan, who obviously influenced Sondheim in this instance, you might want to try "Please Hello" from PACIFIC OVERTURES. It might be fun for you to change accents from French to Dutch to English to Russian, although the voices differ so some transposition might be required. I've never seen one person try that song but it could potentially be a hoot.
Thanks for all the suggestions! :) I'll be sure to look them up. @Mercades I can't remember for the life of me the name of the man who gave the master class, but he suggested to always have one, in case you audition for a show that has a patter song, and you don't want to use the one from that show, which I've been told in the past isn't often encouraged (to sing a song from the show you're auditioning for, but instead do a song in the similar style)