"If I Didn't Know Better"
From The Luckiest Girl
Book, music, and lyrics by Sonya Hayden
Songbook Award from the Kurt Weill Foundation, recorded by singer Katherine Riddle. Sheet music available here: https://www.kwf.org/lotte-lenya-songbook-series/volumes/
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Sarah, a sheltered young woman in 1920s New York City, gets secretly involved in a women-led experimental theater troupe in Greenwich Village. Through a process of self-discovery, she unexpectedly falls in love with another female troupe member, but is unsure if they feel the same way.
Wanda Does the Water Cycle
Book, music, & lyrics by Sonya Hayden
A kids science musical! Precocious young water molecule Wanda visits the forbidden surface of her lake, where she promptly evaporates and, through learning about the water cycle, must figure out how to return home before the wind blows her off course.
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Highlight reel from Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival performance, 2021.
"The Plant Song"
(A Plant Is So Much Better Than a Guy)
Music & lyrics by Sonya Hayden
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Winner, MAC John Wallowitch Award for songwriting
Cabaret song
"I'm Here"
From North Star
Lyrics by Sonya Hayden; Music by Kristoffer Bjarke
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From this adventure musical for family audiences! In mythological Ancient Greece, Princess Andromeda is planning her sweet sixteen, obsessively tracking the personal lives of heroes splashed across trashy magazine scrolls, and itching to leave her boring island for exciting Athens. But when she learns a god is coming to claim her soul due to a bargain her parents made (seriously?!), she sets off on an adventure with a team of heroes to find a way to survive.
In this song, Andromeda is chained to a rock out at sea, about to be sacrificed to sea god Poseidon’s monster.
"Crazy But True (Part 1)"
From Crazy But True
Book & lyrics by Sonya Hayden; Music by Jon Hugo Ungar
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In this short rom com musical, two awkward, lonely individuals meet in a deserted subway station and must decide whether to pursue their surprising connection before the next train arrives.
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BMI Workshop presentation, 2019
"Our Little Life"
Music by Alex Rybeck
Lyrics by Sonya Hayden
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Cabaret song
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Performed by Tony Award nominee Karen Akers
Accompanied by Jon Delfin
Urban Stages, 2022
"The Sky Is the Limit," "Oops-a-Daisy," & "Keep Your Head Out of the Clouds"
From Taking Off!
Book & Lyrics by Sonya Hayden; Music by Matthew Lowy
Based on a short musical by Matthew Lowy, Sonya Hayden, & Rachel Sklar
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In this full-length musical comedy set in 1970, eternally optimistic aircraft mechanic Cecelia has volunteered to fill in last-minute for an essential stewardess who missed her shift. Determined to prove herself on an international flight from NYC to Barcelona, she enthusiastically volunteers to lead the first beverage service. Performed by Zoe Schneider-Smith.
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After learning of a strict rule against cavorting with passengers, Cecelia is collecting trash from them when she and tenacious Castilian passenger Francisco are thrown together by unexpected turbulence, causing rubbish and sparks to fly. Performed by Zoe Schneider-Smith and Arnie Rodriguez.
Passenger Mindy is passionately in love with her fiancé but has just had a falling out with him. Cynical socialite Trudy, who has been drinking copiously throughout the flight, leans over to share her questionable wisdom. Performed by Meagan Lewis-Michaelson.
Quarantine songs
Love in the Time of Corona
Written, directed, and performed by Sonya Hayden
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To keep my spirits up during quarantine, I wrote this song and made a very silly music video to go with it. Warning: includes gratuitous dancing with cleaning supplies. This video was also selected by the Women in the Arts & Media Coalition for their concert "Conversations in America: 2020 Vision."
V-card (A Vaccine PSA)
Written, directed, and performed by Sonya Hayden
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A Britney Spears-inspired comedic music video that will give you a dose of both laughter and immunity! For more practical COVID-19 vaccine information, visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/
Next Year
Music & lyrics by Sonya Hayden
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Sharing this song with my hopes that we'll all be making music together again soon!
An Inconvenient Sleuth
Princeton Triangle Club
"The Other Side"
Lyrics by Sonya Hayden & Sam Kaseta; Music by Sonya Hayden
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In a town where citizens strictly follow the letter of the law, one woman waiting for a broken crosswalk signal wonders what would happen if she jaywalked. (Song starts at 0:30 in video.)
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McCarter Theatre, 2015
"Money Isn't Everything"
Lyrics by Lauren Frost & Jake Robertson; Music by Sonya Hayden
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While investigating the mysterious disappearance of their town's mayor, a group of plucky teenagers attempt to question a suspicious wealthy local businessman. (Song starts at 1:25 in video.)
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McCarter Theatre, 2015
