Billy Bigelow, Carousel : Royal National Theatre, UK/ Lincoln Center Theatre, NYC Olivier Award Nomination, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Nomination Theatre World Award Carousel: Royal National Theatre/ Lincoln Center Theatre, Directed by Nicholas Hytner .”Hytner's principal accomplice in this feat is Mr. Hayden, a previously unknown American actor not long out of Juilliard who brings to Billy a Warren Beatty-like mixture of masculine belligerence, bewilderment and tenderness and sings his marathon "Soliloquy" like an angel well before the character becomes one. “ Ben Brantley, New York Times, December 12, 1992
Hal in Henry IV Parts I&II opposite Kevin Kline as Falstaff and Richard Easton as Henry IV Lincoln Center Theatre Mr Hayden's Hal does wonders in finding an emotional continuum as his character shuttles between his kingly father and Falstaff... Mr. Hayden at last has a leading role to match his memorable Billy Bigelow in the Lincoln Center ''Carousel.'' It's a joy to discover he has the chops to translate the same charisma and thoughtfulness into the very different music of Shakespeare. Ben Brantley, New York Times, November 2003
Chris in All My Sons opposite John Cullum Roundabout Theatre Directed by Barry Edelstein Theatre World Award
“But it is Mr. Hayden and Ms. Phillips who give this “Sons” its surprising sensual incandescense… Mr. Hayden turns his character’s improbable saintliness into a willful assumed ignorance that will shatter to devastating effect… The first act scene of Chris’ fumbling proposal of marriage to Ann, which on paper hardly burns up the page, becomes a heated sudy in divided impulses that make it the evenings high point. Ben Bratley, New York Times, May 1997
Henry V, Richard II, Title roles performed in repertory, Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, DC “… the remarkable occurs, when an American actor magnetically delivers the Elizabethan goods and shows himself equipped for Shakespearean stardom. For this is what Michael Hayden is doing at the moment in his astonishing work as both Henry V and Richard II at Shakespeare Theatre Company. The actor brings his Shakespeare to another level with Richard II and Henry V. The performances, taken together, constitute the most charismatic work in Shakespeare the city has experienced in memory. What Hayden provides in these divergent portrayals is the savory sense of well-spoken interpretation from the gut as well as the imagination. It's red-meat Shakespeare, served up in a gratifyingly old-fashioned way: He compels us to the illusion that Richard and Henry are stars being played by one.” Peter Marks, Washington Post, 2010 Peter Marks, Washington Post, March 2010 Oscar Rolfe in Judgement at Nuremberg Opposite Maximillian Schell. Tony Award Nomination
“This production may do the same for Mr. Hayden, whose square-shouldered, dark good looks recall the youthful Mr. Schell and whose poise and fervor as he mounts his increasingly persuasive defense are mesmerizing.... And in Rolfe's face-offs with his personal icon, Janning, who disdains any defense because he's already found himself guilty, Mr. Hayden is facing off with an icon of his own. Neither the character nor the actor appears cowed.” Bruce Weber, New York Times, 2001
Sparky Watts in A.R. Gurneys Far East Lincoln Center Theatre PBS Great Performance Series Directed by Daniel Sullivan
Chance Wayne in Sweet Bird of Youth Opposite Elizabeth Ashley Shakespeare Theatre, DC Directed by Michael Kahn, 1996
Anthony Wilding in Enchanted April at the Belasco Theatre, Broadway
Christian in Festen, Opposite Julianna Marguiles, Ali McGraw and Larry Brigman, Longacre Theatre, 2007 Directed by Rufus Norris, Director of the Roayal National Theatre of England
Adam Nehemiah in the premier of Lynn Ahren and Steven Flahert’s , Dessa Rose Opposite LaChanze., Norm Lewis and Rachel York Lincoln Center Theatre, 2006 Directed by Graciela Daniele
Sam in Edward Albee’s Lady From Dubuque Opposite Jane Alexander New Signiture Theatre, 2012 Directed by David Esbournson
“The main character in Lady From Dubuque is not the title character; it’s not even the dying Joe. It’s Sam (an excellent Michael Hayden), her husband, the guy who asks, “Who am I?” The final, devastating image of Mr. Hayden’s naked face suggests that there’s no comfort whatsoever in the answer.” Ben Brantlet, New York Times, June 2012
Series Regular Chris Docknovich in Steven Bochco’s ABC Series Murder One 1994-1996 With Patty Clarkson and Stanley Tucci
Billy in the Independent Film, Charming Billy Directed by Bill Pace Best Actor Award American Film Institute