SETH WARD PYATT
Director | Producer | Creator
(what the critics say)
All the Single Ladies: A Bitter Suite, Ward Theatricals - St. Louis, MO (2013)
"What becomes clear quite early on is that the thread connecting these stories isn't simply the state of being single. It's the state of having experienced love and come away both wiser and single."
"Pyatt's arrangements and overall score complemented both the voices and the room; there were a few moments when it seemed the piano might overpower a performance, however, Pyatt reacted quickly and adjusted his accompaniment as needed."
"The overall tone mixed humor with a dash of bitter here, a touch of bravado there and a lot of independence, everywhere."
"...the songs and stories dug beneath the surface of being single and explored some of the painful, interesting and powerful emotions that give "single" its real bite."
- Tina Farmer, KDHX
read the full review online at
http://kdhx.org/arts/theater-reviews/all-the-single-ladies-takes-a-grown-up-look-at-single-life
~~~
Notes from New York, Kranzberg Arts Center - St. Louis, MO (2012)
"...an ambitious cabaret/concert evening..."
"A fair amount of the entertainment value came from the show's high flash quotient. In addition to Mr. Pyatt (who often accompanied himself with great facility on the house baby grand), the show boasted a second keyboardist (Justin E. Smolik), a guitarist (D. Mike Bauer, mostly obscured behind that baby grand), a bass guitar (Mike Monsey), reeds (Chloe Feoranzo), and drums (Brian O'Donnell). For a space the size of the Kranzberg cabaret room, that's a Big Band and, occasional coordination issues aside, it sounded impressive."
"There was even a pair of lively and engaging backup singer/dancers—Terrie Carolan and Monjour Davis, a.k.a. the Sethettes. Their accomplished harmonies and simple but effective dance moves made a big impact on the postage-stamp stage and helped provide the 'extra pizazz'."
"Mr. Pyatt mostly tossed those numbers off with a somewhat disengaged (albeit accomplished) pop star cool."
"...when Mr. Pyatt connected with a lyric and introduced it with patter that transcended his particular experiences, he was really rather riveting. His performance of "Electricity" (from "Billy Elliot") was a prime example of this, although there were other glimmers throughout the evening..."
- Chuck Lavazzi, KDHX
~~~
Songs From An Unmade Bed, CITILITES Theatre - St. Louis, MO (2011)
"...a late night show, making a sort of double bill for theatre patrons after they take in The Crumple Zone. Fortunately, it's well worth staying over for... and easily outshines the production that plays before it."
"Seth Ward Pyatt's direction and musical direction is smartly conceived and executed..."
"...a complete picture of what it's like to be in love, and what's it like to lose that love, or watch it fade over time." - Chris Gibson, Broadway World
"...visually engaging"
"...this show is like theatrical candy, a sweet indulgence." - Rosalind Early, StL Mag
"...an unexpected little gem"
"The piece is well directed..."
"...a pleasant hour with an appealing character whose voice speaks to and for us all."
- Andrea Braun, KDHX / The Vital Voice
"...a charmer."
"Serving as director and musical director, Seth Ward Pyatt has assembled a fine three-piece band that shares the cramped stage with Brown and plays with a great deal of verve and sophistication. Campbell's lyrics demand nothing less."
"sends us home on a dreamy cloud of optimism." - Paul Friswold, RiverFront Times
~~~
Southern Baptist Sissies, CITILITES Theatre - St. Louis, MO (2011)
"Seth Ward Pyatt contributes nicely as Houston Chaffey, playing the piano accompaniment to the onstage hymns and doubling as Peanut and Odette's bartender."
- Mark Bretz, Ladue News
"...aided by Seth Ward Pyatt as both church musician Houston Chaffey, and the pianist/bartender in the gay bar. He wears a suit coat for one and changes to a gold vest for the other, setting glassware and a bottle on top of the spinet. It’s a clever bit, and he provides some unity in the somewhat disjointed plot line."
"Pyatt’s sound design makes good use of traditional hymns, the numbers for Iona, and incidental music he plays on piano. He is also credited as musical supervisor and assistant director."
- Andrea Braun, The Vital Voice
"The cast is rounded out with some extra flavor by... Seth Ward Pyatt as both church pianist, and bartender. Pyatt veritably becomes a living part of the scenery..."
- Emily Piro, KDHX
"Seth Pyatt delights as the bartender..." - Steve Allen, Java Journal
~~~
Marry Me a Little, CITILITES Theatre - St. Louis, MO (2010)
"...director Seth Ward Pyatt hits all the moody notes that fans treasure in Sondheim: the clever sophistication, the poignant longing for love, the rueful resignation when it goes wrong."
"Marry Me a Little, the Stephen Sondheim musical that just opened at CITILITES Theatre, is a modest enterprise in every way — except for pleasure. That, it delivers with an open, generous hand."
"[The actors] Tripp and Ernst may share a stage and a few songs, but we quickly realize that they aren't in the same place physically. Emotionally, it's another poignant story."
"...touching theatrical flair." - Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Seth Ward Pyatt's direction and musical direction is smartly conceived and executed, and he finds a way to communicate the unspoken, allowing us a deeper look into the characters than the songs alone can provide."
"solid production of this brief, but engaging, work" - Chris Gibson, Broadway World
"...a breezy, spirited romp... deftly directed by Seth Ward Pyatt, who doubles as musical director..."
- Mark Bretz, Ladue News
"...a delectable treat..."
"...eighteen glorious ballads, charm songs and patter songs... fill[s] the auditorium with sound. The acoustics are terrific. You won't miss a lyric — and what magical lyrics they are."
- Dennis Brown, RiverFront Times
~~~
Love! Valour! Compassion!, CITILITES Theatre - St. Louis, MO (2010)
"...Buzz Hauser, the screaming queen of a costume designer who is obsessed with musicals says things that are much more obscure. The audience didn’t seem to mind that though; they loved Buzz, and Seth Ward Pyatt does make him loveable. He’s the most balls-out stereotypical character in the piece..."
"...Pyatt and Haller turning in the very good performances."
- Andrea Braun, The Vital Voice / KDHX
"Seth Ward Pyatt, as a musical-comedy nut, makes his laugh-lines pay off..."
- Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Pyatt has a grand time as Buzz..." - Mark Bretz, Ladue News
~~~
All Shook Up, Timber Lake Playhouse - Mt. Carroll, IL (2008)
"...marvelous accompaniment provided by Seth Ward Pyatt's backstage orchestra..."
"From the start, the musical numbers here are sung with exhilarating brio."
- Mike Schulz, River Cities' Reader
~~~
The Andrews Brothers, Granbury Opera House - Granbury, TX (2007)
"...a big winner."
"...maintains its energy and edge throughout the performance."
"Some definite Three Stooges behavior was involved, and fine directing and choreography made for some non-stop fun."
"...a rollicking good time..."
"...a sure hit." - Denise Morris, Hood County News
~~~
Urinetown, the musical, New Line Theatre - St. Louis, MO (2006)
"Seth took the lighting to a new level. Gotta love a show about urine that has lots of yellow glow to it! Who knew lights could be funny?" - Kirsten Wylder, KDHX