Top musical theatre duets
Sing these Broadway songs with your friends, siblings, roommates, or significant others.
It takes two to make a showstopping duet. From "Suddenly Seymour" to "For Good," there are plenty of musical theatre duets for every mood and every pair of singers. Whether you're isolating with a roommate, sibling, or significant other, have some epic singalongs with this roundup. And of course, you can always simply sing both parts on your own.
"For Good" from Wicked
This beautiful duet from Wicked celebrates true friendship and how the best ones are the ones that grow with you. There isn't a dry eye in the Gershwin Theatre when it's sung each night, so get ready to feel some deep emotions as you belt this tune.
"Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors
This song from Little Shop of Horrors is a beautiful anthem to finding hope wherever you can. MJ Rodriguez chanells all the wonderful weirdness of the original Audrey, Ellen Greene, in a recent revival in California. Tammy Blanchard captures the same quirks and tenderness in her performance here in New York.
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"Who I'd Be" from Shrek
If you saw Shrek when it was on Broadway, you may have sobbed at the end of this heart-wrenching duet at the end of Act 1 as you realized Shrek has a lot more layers than meets the eye. Anyone can relate to this feeling of longing for something else and wanting to be accepted for who you are, and Brian d'Arcy James and Sutton Foster are just musical theatre magic.
"If Momma Was Married" from Gypsy
There's nothing better than sisters, but sisters singing about their troubled relationship with their controlling (yet iconic) mother, complete with Sondheim's thorough lyrical analyses of her faults and catchy harmonies is the cherry on top. It's fun to sing, it's fun to listen to, and it's a slightly heartbreaking joy to watch as June and Louise finally bond over the very thing that ultimately breaks them.
"Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer" from Cats
While this song is a solo in the Original West End and Original Broadway version, it was changed to a duet for the 1998 film and the Broadway revival. For an extra challenge while singing this song, try tackling the choreography, like the paired cartwheel that follows shortly after Rumpleteazer's indignant "aaannd Rump-elteazer."
"In a World Like This" from A Bronx Tale
Alan Menken is the king of Disney, but he's also the king of duets, as proven by A Bronx Tale's charming "In a World Like This." Calogero is from the Italian immigrant neighborhood in the Bronx, Jane is from the African American neighborhood. It's the '50s. All of this combines to create the tense star-crossed romance between the two. This song is about loving freely, regardless of racial tension, bigotry, or what others expect. If you want a song that will pull at your heartstrings and make you want to dance around your room and celebrate true love, this is it.
"You're The Top" from Anything Goes
Reno Sweeney from "Anything Goes" is a coveted leading roles in the theatre for a reason. Her ferocity, her confidence, and her sultriness are in full force in "You're The Top," the catchy duet with Billy Crocker as they take turns complimenting each other. Cole Porter's rhyming ability and the pop culture and history references in this song make it a hilarious and iconic hit.
"Sunrise" from In The Heights
This sweet duet takes place during a simple, quiet few minutes amid a non-stop musical. "Sunrise" captures the start of a new chapter in Nina and Benny's relationship; she's teaching him Spanish, and Mandy Gonzalez is teaching audiences how to cry 30 seconds into Act 2.
"Take Me or Leave Me" from Rent
This song will make you miss karaoke bars and your high school cast parties. But as a positive trade-off, you can appreciate just how fierce Idina Menzel and Tracie Thoms are, and you can absolutely bring their fierce energy to your apartment — just make sure to warn your neighbors (or invite them to join).
"Move On" from Sunday in the Park with George
This song is guaranteed to make you feel emotional. Like George, everyone goes through times in their lives of not quite believing in themselves or having imposter syndrome. The score is beautiful, especially the build, and the words truly resonate. The above version is from a Broadway transfer from London's Menier Chocolate Factory, in which Jenna Russell offers a masterclass in acting through song.
"Fit as a Fiddle" from Singin' in the Rain
This nostalgic bundle of joy features wo showbiz giants with a great sense of humor, in perfect synergy — what's not to love? It also has an element of the-show-must-go-on resilience — even when you lose your bow.
"Unlikely Lovers" from Falsettos
If "Unlikely Lovers" were to end after the first half, it would still be a perfectly touching (albeit wry) duet between two men expressing their unlikely love for each other as their future looks increasingly grim. But the second half is where the song gets truly special, as Marvin and Whizzer's friends ("the lesbians from next door") come to visit them in the hospital, transforming the duet into a quartet. It's a powerful affirmation of the families we choose and the ways in which we show up for each other during crises. The section begins with an effort to distract each other ("Let's pretend that nothing is awful") and ends with a round robin of "I love you's" not just within the two couples, but between all four of the characters — a simple statement of the kind of love that transcends romantic relationships.
"Unsuspecting Hearts" from Carrie
This duet between Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner showcases their power within beautiful harmonies and a lovely sentiment.
"It's Never That Easy" and "I've Been Here Before" from Closer Than Ever
While the lyricist and composer (Maltby and Shire) have been quoted as saying this is a "bookless book musical," with songs like these sung simultaneously, who needs a book? This song represents the depth of creativity and talent to be found in Off-Broadway musicals.
"If I Loved You" from Carousel
Taken from the bench scene, "If I Loved You" is one of the most iconic duets in musical theatre, as it is famously known as one of the first songs to be used as a tool to advance the plot. In this case, two characters go from being strangers to potential love interests. It contains beautiful, emotive orchestrations which powerfully mirror the sentiment of the two characters falling in love.
"You're Nothing Without Me" from City of Angels
This male duet is the end-of-Act-1 showstopper from City of Angels. The song features a brilliant jazz score and a powerful underlying message of two characters ultimately not being able to live without each other.
"Bad Idea" from Waitress
This song and scene from Waitress are one of the steamist to hit the Broadway stage in recent years. The sexual energy flowing between Jessie Mueller and Drew Gehling is so palpable that in that moment, you are convinced it's actually a very good idea for Jenna to have sex with her married gynecologist. The harmonies in this song are also so beautifully arranged, and we'd expect nothing less from Sara Bareilles.
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