I set this traditional Jewish prayer for peace to music during the pandemic. Since then I have performed it on several public occasions including at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony at the United Nations General Assembly Hall (January 2023). Both the sheet music for the solo version as well as the choral version are available for purchase.

Underwater - Demo by Shoshana Børve

Vid coming soooooon

Book & Lyrics by Max Moore

Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Sung by Audrey Cardwell and A.J. Freeman

Piano by Joshua Cerdenia

Thanks to the Dramatists Guild Foundation, The New York Library For the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, and singers who have sung in other versions including Megan Mistretta and Laura Cetti

[this does not include any background chorus]

(The middle of the night. VIVIENNE sneaks downstairs in her night dress. She has the set of keys with and she takes the smallest one. She approaches The Door, and slowly unlocks and opens it. Inside are the dead bodies of BLUEBEARD’s ex-wives. It’s all very gruesome. VIVIENNE screams. HAZEL rushes in, in her night clothes.)

VIVIENNE

I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M SEEING

I ONLY FEEL THE DREAD

I THINK I SHOULD BE FLEEING

BUT MY FEET HAVE TURNED TO LEAD

HAZEL

What have you done?

VIVIENNE

IS THIS MY NEW REALITY

AM I THE NEXT FATALITY

HE KEPT HIS TRUE FACE JUST OUT OF SIGHT

I ONLY SAW WITH ONE EYE OPEN

BUT DARKNESS HAS SHED A TRUER LIGHT

I SEE HIS FACE WITH BOTH EYES OPEN

EYES WIDE OPEN

I have to leave. I have to… please Hazel. You have to help me.

HAZEL

I’m sorry Miss Vivienne, but you’re not going anywhere.

VIVIENNE

YOU SAID YOU WERE HERE FOR ME

BUT YOU DON’T EVEN FEAR FOR ME

YOU KNEW I WAS IN DANGER

YOU KNEW HOW THIS WOULD END

TURNS OUT YOU’RE JUST A STRANGER

WHEN I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND

YOU TOLD ME “DON’T WORRY, YOU’LL BE FINE.

DON’T WORRY THAT YOUR EYES WON’T OPEN”

YOU KNEW THAT MY LIFE WAS ON THE LINE

AND ALL THE TIME YOUR EYES STAYED OPEN

EYES WIDE OPEN

HAZEL

I HOPED THAT YOU’D BE WITH US FOR YEARS

BUT NOW YOU’VE THRUST THE DOOR WIDE OPEN

AND NOW WITH GREAT SPEED YOUR ENDING NEARS

YOU’VE SEALED YOUR FATE---

(HAZEL starts to take VIVIENNE to her room)

VIVIENNE

I HAVE TO SAVE MYSELF

SOMEHOW JUST SAVE MYSELF

I HAVE TO SAVE MYSELF

SOMEHOW JUST SAVE MYSELF

LIVE A LONG LIFE

LIVE A STRONG LIFE

THIS TIME HE PICKED THE WRONG WIFE

I WON’T BE LIKE OTHERS THAT HE’S WED

NOT LIKE THE ONES WHOSE EYES DON’T OPEN

NO THIS TIME IT’S HIM WHO’LL TURN UP DEAD

HAZEL

I think that’s quite enough from you Miss Vivienne.

(HAZEL shuts Vivienne in her room.)

VIVIENNE

I’LL KILL HIM, HIS DEATH WILL SET ME FREE

AND I CAN LIVE MY LIFE WIDE OPEN

THIS MARRIAGE WON’T BE THE END OF ME

I FACE THE WORLD WITH EYES WIDE OPEN

EYES WIDE OPEN

Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Lyrics by Kara Cutruzzula

Sung by Lindsey Brett Carothers

Piano by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Mixed and Mastered by MP Kuo

LYRICS

What are you waiting for,

A space on the runway,

Telling you you're next?

What are you staying for?

Look, the clouds are clear.

What are you waiting for,

A moment or rest or

Some amazing text?

What are you praying for?

Time to fly your fear.

They claim it's easy,

What a lie.

The cavalry's not coming.

Time to get out,

And lift off the ground.

Head full of doubt,

Drown out the sound.

Don't wait your turn,

Move, don't waver, learn.

You could be strong

Or that's how it seems.

What could go wrong

Chasing your dreams.

What are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for

A moment of truth or

Some magical day?

What are you sitting for?

Get back on your feet.

What are you waiting for

A mentor or guide

To light up your way?

What are you quitting for?

You can take the heat.

They said it's simple,

What a joke.

The cavalry's not coming.

Don't watch the clock,

It's year after year.

No time for talk

Your future is here.

Don't wait your turn,

Move, don't waver, learn.

Stop the old song,

And you'll start to sing.

What could go wrong?

Oh, everything.

A writer writes,

A painter paints,

A boxer fights

With no complaints.

Take up your brush,

Pick up your pen,

It's time to rush.

If not now, when?

What am I waiting for?

I'm standing before you

Showing you I'm here.

What was I worried for?

Look, the sky is clear.

What am I waiting for?

I'm ready to fight

And fail and try and sail.

What am I hurried for?

Time to fly my fear.

The cavalry's not coming,

So what am I waiting for?

The cavalry is coming,

And it's me.

No more waiting,

No more waiting,

I'm here.

Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Lyrics by Ken Harmon

Piano by Joshua Cerdenia & Shoshana Shatttenkirk

Singers, in order of appearance:

Cory Jeacoma, Bill Dyszel, Audrey Cardwell, Krystal Sobaskie, Lindsey Brett Carothers, A.J. Freeman, Shoshana Shattenkirk

*Special thanks to Caitlin Collins, Kristoffer Bjarke, and Derrick Byars who performed in prior versions of this song

LYRICS

Elf #1:

I’m Santa’s little helper!

I’m tying all the bows!

I’m meshing all the ribbon

With a little trick I know!

Elves 1 &2:

I give my special talent

And I’m proud to say,

Santa, I was here to help you today!

Verse 2:

Elf #3:

Every Christmas, I lay out our Elfin Fest!

Spoken: Kegs of Tinsel Juice? Check! Chocolate snowflakes? Check!

Elf #4:

Every Christmas, I work without any rest!

Spoken: Mistletoe? Check! Floating snow globes? Check!

Elf #3:

Frosting, baking, hot chocolate making

Elf #4:

Decorating all night long!

Both Elves 3&4:

Belting out a Christmas song!

Chorus 2:

Elf #4:

I'm Santa Little helper!

I’m tidying his home,

I’m laying out his jammies,

Picking out his bedside gnome.

He’ll come in super hungry

Tired, and caked in dirt

I’ll feed him milk and cookies

Put him in his snuggly shirt!

Elf #3:

I'm Santa's little helper!

I’m making yummy food.

A merriment assistant

Keeping up the jolly mood!

Elf #4:

Make snow collages,

Back massages!

Elf #3:

Ice cream trays!

Both Elves 3 &4:

Santa, I was here to help you today!

All Elves:

Santa, I was to help you today!

Elf #5/Chief Elf: Spoken

My fellow elves! You’re all splenderific!

Christmas is not a competition! It’s about sharing your special gifts with others!

We are Mighty Elfin Power Rangers!

Here’s to Elfin Power!

Chorus 3:

Elf #5:

We’re Santa’s little Helpers!

We give a little cheer!

We’re spreading Xmas spirit

For the last 5,000 years!

It’s elfin grand tradition

And our noble goal

The sacred Santa mission

That unites the whole North Pole!

All Elves:

We're Santa's Little Helpers!

His merry little band!

We're standing at the ready!

Giving him an elfin hand!

And helping him help others

Is our Christmas way!

Santa, I was here to help you!

Santa, I was glad to help you!

Santa, we were glad to help you, today!

Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Lyrics by Kara Cutruzzula & Shoshana Shattenkirk

Piano & Vocals by Shoshana Shattenkirk

LYRICS

WHEN THE LIGHT IS GONE

AND THE DAYS ARE LONG

AND THE YEAR SLIPS BY

AND YOU DON'T FEEL STRONG.

THEN THE NIGHT RETURNS

AND YOU SCROLL AWAY

AND YOU'RE ASKING WHY

THIS IS THE PRICE YOU PAY.

STOP AND REMEMBER THE PART OF YOU.

THE HIDDEN TRUTH IN THE HEART OF YOU.

THAT BURNS BRIGHT,

RUNS HOT,

GIVES BEYOND WHAT YOU GOT.

BECAUSE YOU'RE TOUCHED BY FIRE.

EMBERS ARE BURNING.

DREAMS ARE RETURNING,

YOU'RE CLIMBING HIGHER.

GO RISE FROM THE ASHES AND BURN AGAIN.

BECAUSE YOU'RE TOUCHED BY FIRE.

WHEN THE SKY DROPS LOW

AND THERE'S NO WAY OUT,

AND WHEN NORMAL FADES

ALL THAT'S LEFT IS DOUBT.

AND THE HAZE IS THICK

AND THE FEAR SWIRLS 'ROUND.

AND YOU HEAR THE WORDS

WHY CAN'T I FEEL THE GROUND?

STOP AND REMEMBER THE PART OF YOU.

THE SIMPLE TRUTH IN THE HEART OF YOU.

THAT BURNS BRIGHT,

RUNS HOT,

GIVES BEYOND WHAT YOU GOT.

I KNOW YOU'RE TOUCHED BY FIRE.

FIND WHERE YOU'RE BROKEN,

BREATHE ALL THE SMOKE IN,

YOU'RE CLIMBING HIGHER.

GO RISE FROM THE ASHES AND BURN AGAIN.

FEEL THE FIRE GROW.

CAN'T YOU SEE THE FIRE GLOW.

BURN BRIGHT,

RUN HOT,

GIVE BEYOND WHAT YOU GOT.

AND NOW YOU'RE TOUCHED BY FIRE.

LIGHT WHERE YOU'RE GOING,

ENERGY FLOWING.

YOU'RE FINALLY HIGHER.

YOU RISE FROM THE ASHES

RISE FROM THE ASHES

RISE FROM THE ASHES

TO FIND YOUR FIRE AGAIN.

LIGHT THAT FIRE AGAIN.

Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Lyrics by Kara Cutruzzula

Sung by Alexis Holland

Piano by Shoshana Shattenkirk

LYRICS

SING TO THE MOON AND THE STARS WILL SHINE

DREAM OF THE NIGHT AND THEN YOU'LL BE FINE.

TAKE WHAT'S ON HIGH AND BLANKET THE SKY AND YOU'LL FIND YOUR WAY

OH SING TO THE MOON AND THE STARS WILL SHINE.

SING TO THE MOON AND THE STARS WILL SHINE.

NINE THOUSAND LIGHTS IN THE WORLD ARE MINE.

WALK THROUGH THE GLOW AND TRUST THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU'LL CATCH THE RAY.

OH SING TO THE MOON AND THE STARS WILL SHINE.

IF THERE'S A TIME

WHEN YOU START TO FALL

MY DARLING.

REACH UP AND CLIMB

AND GIVE IT YOUR ALL

AND TRY.

RAISE UP YOUR VOICE

AND SEARCH FOR THE MOON IN WONDER.

YOU'RE NOT DONE

NO YOU'VE ONLY BEGUN.

SEE THE SKY?

OH SING TO THE MOON AND THE STARS WILL SHINE.

FOLLOW THE ARC AND THE GENTLE LINE.

WHEN YOU'RE ALONE THEY'LL MAKE UP YOUR HOME AND I'LL FIND YOU THERE.

OH SING TO THE MOON

SING TO THE MOON

OH SING TO YOUR MOON AND YOUR STARS WILL SHINE.

Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Lyrics by Kara Cutruzzula

Sung by Lily Narbonne (Sarah)

Sung by Shoshana Shattenkirk (Ann)

Piano by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Scene Three - “Yellow”

(ALEXANDER’s parents’ home. SARAH, Alexander’s mother, reads his

latest letter and sets it down. On the other side of the stage, Alexander's

wife ANN sits by their son’s crib.)

SARAH

Yellow fever. What a dreadful time this is.

A RISING SUN.

THE FAIR HAIR OF A GIRL

WITH A TWINKLE IN HER EYES.

THE SOUR OF A LEMON,

OR PERHAPS,

A DAFFODIL BEFORE IT DIES.

YELLOW, YELLOW.

IT'S EASIER TO TALK AROUND

THAN TALK ABOUT

YELLOW.

A BLAZING SUN.

A SEASON FULL OF SQUASH

OR CANARY IN A CAGE.

A POOL OF MELTED BUTTER,

OR MAYBE,

A LETTER GROWING OLD WITH AGE.

YELLOW, YELLOW.

A MEMORY OF BEING FREE

WHEN LIFE COULD BE

YELLOW.

ANN

MY SHINING SON,

THE SMILE ON YOUR FACE

IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

YOU GET THAT FROM YOUR FATHER.

IF ONLY

YOU COULD SEE HOW MUCH HE TRIES.

YELLOW, YELLOW.

OUT OF SIGHT NOT OUT OF MIND

I ALWAYS FIND

YELLOW.

MY GROWING SON,

IT'S AUTUMN IN NEW YORK.

SEE THE CHANGING OF THE TREE?

A MOMENT FULL OF WONDER

I DREAM OF

ONE AFTERNOON WE CAN BE FREE.

YELLOW, YELLOW.

WE LEFT BEHIND THE LIFE WE KNEW

TO GET US THROUGH

YELLOW

SARAH & ANN

YELLOW, YELLOW.

I WONDER WHERE THIS YEAR WILL GO

HOW LONG WE'LL HAVE

YELLOW.

SARAH

MY SON

ANN

MY SON

SARAH

THE ONE WHO'S FEARLESS

ANN

SUCH A DEAR

SARAH & ANN

I WANT TO TAKE YOU FAR AWAY

FAR AWAY FROM HERE.

YELLOW, YELLOW.

THE COLOR SEEMS TO FADE AWAY

THE MORE I PRAY

WE FIND A WAY

YELLOW, YELLOW.

YELLOW, YELLOW.

THE SUN WILL BRING A BETTER DAY

THE MORE I PRAY

THE MORE I PRAY

YELLOW.

TOMORROW BRINGS A BETTER DAY

THE MORE I PRAY

THE MORE I PRAY

YELLOW.

Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Lyrical hook by Shoshana Shattenkirk

Lyrics by Kara Cutruzzula

Sung by Cory Jeacoma

LYRICS

“Glory Glory Hallelujah”

Draft 3.0 / July 17, 2021

ALEXANDER

SEARCHING FOR THE WORDS

FOR HEALING

SWALLOWED BY A HOPELESS

FEELING

WHAT'S THE USE OF PRAYER?

YOU'RE SILENT.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT?

TO BREAK ME.

THIS IS WHAT YOU GIVE?

FORSAKE ME.

THIS IS WHO YOU MADE.

SO TAKE ME

I LOOK ABOVE

AND FIND A HOLLOW SPACE

YOU STEAL A LIFE

YET SAY I MUST BELIEVE IN GRACE.

(A silhouette of JOHN JR.)

NOTHING LEFT TO DO

BUT GIVE IN

OH

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

WHAT'S THE USE OF HALLELUJAH?

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

ALL THE ENDLESS WORDS

THEY'RE NUMBING

(A silhouette of SARAH, holding her hand to her head.)

WHO WILL SEE THE LIGHT

IT'S COMING

WATCH THE NUMBER RISE

DAY BY DAY

IF I SAY THE WORDS

YOU'LL SAVE THEM?

IF I SAY THEM LOUD

YOU'LL SAVE US?

(A silhouette of ANN holding her son. She wipes his forehead and then starts to cough herself. The silhouettes fade away.)

IF I TRY AGAIN

YOU'LL SAVE ME?

WHAT CAN I DO

OH GOD, I'M JUST ONE MAN.

BUT IS THAT TRUE

BACK HOME I HAVE MY SON, MY ANN.

SING

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

NOW I HEAR THE HALLELUJAH

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

I SEE NOW

NOW I SEE

ALL

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

SING GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

HALLELUJAH

(Fade to black.)