Shoshana Shattenkirk: Recent Episodes
Shoshana Shattenkirk
Composer, singer-songwriter, storyteller, pianist. Member of the BMI Lehman Engel Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop, The Dramatists Guild, Maestra, and StateraArts. Dance pianist at Barnard and around NYC!
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.)
Music by Shoshana Shattenkirk Lyrical Hook by Shoshana Shattenkirk Lyrics by Rachel Sklar Sung by Emily Xu Gardner Hall (Destiny) Sung by Melanie Nyema (Ramona) Piano by Shoshana Shattenkirk
LYRICS
DESTINY LOST THERE IN MY LONELY DARK YOU FOUND ME AND LIT A SPARK NEW CHANCES AND SHINY DREAMS GRABBED HANDS AND WE MADE THE LEAP HEAD FIRST AND WE WENT IN DEEP BIG ADVENTURES AND CRAZY SCHEMES
TOOK ME IN, AND I TOOK NEW FORM GATHERED ME IN YOUR GATHERED STORM
WE WERE HURRICANES THUNDER ROLLING IN OUR VEINS WE WERE HURRICANES RAGING WINDS TO BLOW IT ALL AWAY TRYING TO BREAK A NEW DAY WE WERE HURRICANES
RAMONA HIGH TIMES RUNNING WILD AND FREE IT WAS CRAZY AND SO WERE WE HAD EACH OTHER AND LIFE WAS GOOD DON'T TELL ME TO HAVE REGRETS IT WAS REAL AS A FRIENDSHIP GETS LOVE, FAMILY AND SISTERHOOD
EVEN NOW, THOSE THINGS REMAIN - AND HOW WE MADE IT RAIN!
WE WERE HURRICANES LIGHTNING FLASHING IN OUR VEINS WE WERE HURRICANES
DESTINY & RAMONA NOW THERE'S NO MORE RULES TO BREAK NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN DRENCHED AWAKE NOW THAT ALL OUR PLANS ARE TORCHED NOW THAT ALL OUR EARTH IS SCORCHED NOW THAT WE'VE ALL BURNED AND CRASHED NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN TORN AND DASHED NOW THAT IT'S BEEN WASHED AWAY NOW RISE FOR ANOTHER DAY NOW DAYLIGHT IS COMING THROUGH NOW AND THEN I WILL THINK OF YOU...
RAMONA WAVES CRASH ON AN EMPTY SHORE WINDS WHIP, BUT I STILL WANT MORE CLOUDS PART WITH A GLIMPSE OF DAWN
DESTINY STORMS PASS AND THEY LEAVE DEBRIS LAST SPLINTERS OF YOU AND ME NOTHING LEFT HERE BUT MOVING ON
DESTINY & RAMONA I'M READY TO SAY MY GOOD BYES BUT I'LL MISS HOW WE OWNED THE SKIES...
WE WERE HURRICANES THUNDER ROLLING IN OUR VEINS WE WERE HURRICANES
WE WERE HURRICANES ONLY MEMORY REMAINS WE WERE HURRICANES
RAMONA Man, did we make it rain
Tell us about the song and why you wrote it:
"I was thinking about the possibility of hope that we can all have in the back of our minds: Is this the one? What's going to happen next? So often this can play out like a grand story — our lives feel as dramatic as a piece of theater or a film. I wanted to tie those feelings together, and also highlight the different stages of connection and loneliness. Sometimes we're alone, sometimes we're not. But there's always another chance to find a plus one." -Kara Cutruzzula
"After we found out you were doing Write Out Loud 2020, Kara showed me the beautiful draft lyrics she had written for this song, knowing I am going through a break up after a 5-year relationship, and I immediately got inspired and sent her a musical setting about 15 minutes later!" -Shoshana Shattenkirk
Lyrics: By Shoshana Shattenkirk
YOU MAY FEEL SMALL, YOU MAY FEEL WEAK BUT THERE IS MAGIC AT YOUR FINGERTIPS CAN'T YOU SEE, FOR ALL YOU LACK THE MUSIC LIVES IN YOU YOU MAY FEEL DRAINED, WITH FRAGILE HEART BUT GOLD IS RADIATING THROUGH THE CRACKS CAN'T YOU SEE, FOR ALL YOU LACK THE MUSIC LIVES IN YOU AND YOU WILL LIVE ON THROUGH THE MUSIC THAT LIVES IN YOU
YOU THINK YOUR STORY'S ENDING YOU'LL LIVE ON, WON'T BE FORGOTTEN NOT JUST MEMORIES OF YOUR LOVED ONES THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW YOUR NAME
I WILL SHOW THE WORLD YOUR VALUE I WILL SHARE YOUR PRECIOUS MUSIC ACROSS THE SEAS AND HIGHEST MOUNTAINS THEY WILL ALWAYS KNOW YOU
THEY WILL ALWAYS KNOW YOU
YOU MAY FEEL SMALL YOU MAY BE WEAK BUT THERE WAS MAGIC IN THOSE FINGERTIPS CAN'T YOU SEE FOR ALL YOU LACK THE MUSIC LIVES IN YOU
Wrote this in 2013 to give me the courage to end an unhealthy relationship. Hope it gives someone else courage. xx
Wrote this in 2013 to give me the courage to end an unhealthy relationship. Hope it gives someone else courage. xx