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Reviews:
MORTIFIED - The Book
Mortified: Real Words. Real People. Real
Pathetic
Simon & Schuster's Simon Spotlight, 2006
"Seymour's entry The Guiding Liza is particularly
touching and telling. His methodically dated journal entries contain
historical signposts - like the death of John Lennon or the election of Reagan -
that firmly root his true childhood tales. The visiting likes of
Bill Cosby and Sammy Davis Jr. barely register on Seymour's teenage radar.
He's much more interested in his endless quest for a new hobby (Making pot
holders? Mapping?) or the trials of his 'friends' on 'The Guiding Light'
than he is the doings of the rich and famous who regularly surround him.
If only we all had 'Aunt Liza' to lean on - and needlepoint with - back in the day. "
INSTINCT MAGAZINE
"If the only way to heal painful high school memories
is to laugh at someone else's painful high school memories, this book can
accurately be labeled the antidote. A raw, hilarious compendium of real
childhood and high school journals, essays and letters - this treasure-chest of
confusion and angst will make readers squirm and smile with the realization that
"we were all that same strange kid."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
MORTIFIED - Live
The M Bar, King King, The Make
Out Room
Los
Angeles & San Francisco, California
"Will
Seymour (a Mortified regular) was reviewed by an embittered local critic as
being "fey" in his high school play performance. For more of Seymour's fantastic
work, including his fondness for inexplicable shoplifting, his friendship with
his mom's boss Liza Minnelli, and his addiction to the Guiding Light,
check out the Mortified book."
LAist BLOG
"A cultural phenomenon"
NEWSWEEK
"Self-deprecation taken a new level!"
NEW YORK PRESS
"A Comic cringe fest!"
BACKSTAGE WEST
"Some of the juiciest real life tragedies"
TIMEOUT NY
"I never laughed so hard!"
LOS ANGELES CONFIDENTIAL
"Some of the juiciest real tragedies!"
TIME OUT NEW YORK
"Heartbreakingly hilarious tales of
personal woe and social catastrophe."
FLAVORPILL
"A litany of mortifying moments!"
LA TIMES MAGAZINE
"David Nadelberg,
has come up with the perfect idea by having performers read their teenage
and childhood diary excerpts in public. Performing bicoastally and on "This
American Life", NPR's popular homespun radio show, "Mortified" is as
entertaining as it is clever. The
latest show playing in Los Angeles features Johanna Stein, Melissa Wolfe, Angela
Pupello, Christopher Wood, Sascha Rothchild, Krista and Keleigh Lanphear, Chris
Farah, Will Seymour and Mark Phinney. Ranging from the Lanphear sisters'
ludicrously heartfelt original song about the Challenger tragedy, to Will
Seymour's casual passing reference to living next door to "Aunt" Liza
Minnelli, the show presents adolescent angst and absurdity quite well. Nadelberg
assembles the show adeptly, resulting in sincere human appeal and making us laugh until we cry."
BLUNT REVIEW
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
South Coast Repertory - Segerstrom Stage
Costa Mesa, California
"Critics Choice! A blood-and-guts corporal
[William Seymour] marches onto the
stage to incite both horror and hilarity.
A colorful, winsome and winning production. Director Kate Whoriskey brings a fanciful imagination to Brecht's episodic storytelling."
LOS ANGELES TIMES
"An exhilarating
production!
Director Kate Whoriskey's "Chalk Circle" delivers. Big, bold and juicy.
William Seymour is a Stand Out! He brings
a fierce, Byron Jennings-like edge to his sadistic corporal. This is Whoriskey's most impressive
production
at SCR and the most impressive."
SAN
DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
"Groundbreaking theater!
A potent William Seymour plays a
vicious corporal. Frank Wood (a Tony winner for "Sideman") brings
roaring comic vigor and vitality to his role.
The final twist provides a perfect fairytale ending."
VARIETY
"William Seymour as the corporal of the
steel-booted militia is a frighteningly powerful figure, representing
Brecht's hated totalitarian mentality. "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" is a
powerful production.
THE DAILY PILOT
"Hilarious and entertaining!
A vibrant and colorful musical! The performances are strong, particularly those
of Breaker, Lenk, Frank Wood and as the Corporal, William Seymour realistically
drools with pleasure over the wartime joys of rape and murder."
NORTH COUNTY TIMES
"Brecht Comes Alive! South Coast Repertory's new
season with Brecht's masterpiece "The Caucasian Chalk
Circle," The best roles, as in any Brecht play, are the villains, fools,
hotheads and nincompoops. A shimmering church, its walls made of aluminum
foil, a trio of
fabric-covered, articulated tubes crash down from above, serving several
functions before disappearing into the heavens. Brecht's messages are
like a bucket of ice water to the face. At the moment, that feels exactly
right."
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
"In the hands of
highly imaginative director Kate Whoriskey and an excellent cast at South
Coast Repertory, The Caucasian Chalk Circle stands out as one of the most
magical, unforgettable theatrical experiences this year. The entire cast is
wonderful and delivers an endless supply of amazement."
BACKSTAGE WEST
"With eye-popping theatrical
spectacle, director Kate Whoriskey takes rousing music; darkly thrilling choreography; ingenious sets; and her own
highly original vision and weaves them into a mesmerizing whole."
LA WEEKLY
A CLOCKWORK
ORANGE
The Greenway Court Theatre
Los
Angeles, California
"Pick of the Week! The leads are thrilling- William Seymour, in a strong
portrayal!"
LA WEEKLY
"Gritty, exciting, controversial and flawless production.
A stand out performance by William Seymour as the
Chaplain!
Captivating, riveting evening of theatre!"
TOLUCAN TIMES
"Rick Sparks' riveting new production with a rampaging
soundtrack has phenomenal sexual energy and great
menace! In a very clever interpretation and staging,
Sparks brings a whole new dimension to the
relationship between Alex and the Chaplain (William
Seymour). The "corruption" the
Chaplain speaks of
finally makes sense. Seymour's sermon has a music all
it's own."
IN LOS ANGELES
"The leads so are riveting, that it's hard to
look away."
LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Strong performances keep 'Orange' ticking!
William Seymour excels as the prison Chaplain who is
torn by moral questions concerning Alex's voluntary brainwashing."
THE DAILY NEWS
"The
major players are caught up in the electricity of the play, the trio of
bickering adults, Reynolds, Seymour and Vaughn, deliver just the right touch of
inquisition to the dilemma. Director Sparks, on the short list of LA's finest,
is an exceptional talent."
SHOWMAG.COM
"William
Seymour stands out as the prison Chaplain."
ENTERTAINMENT TODAY
PRINCESS
BEAN'S MESSY WORLD
Children's CD, BeanStar
Entertainment
(Will voices the Prince, The Pageant Host,
Cinderella's Step-sister and many others.)
"This CD offers a
fairy tale with an up-to-date twist. Princess Bean is a self- proclaimed
princess with positive energy who is trying to help people. She seeks the advice
of Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty, all of whom at first ignore her
claim to be a princess. This CD is a good combination
of lyrics, music, singing and an upbeat message. The songs on the tape include
Messy World, The Mirror, Will I Win, All Alone, and
Rock the Book. It is a very inspiring and fun CD."
DR. TOY BEST 100 (2000)
"Princess
Bean's Messy World is a modern rock 'n' roll fairy tale full of catchy
songs. The heroine, Princess Bean, is not your typical princess. She dresses in
tie-dyed clothes, has an electric guitar strapped around her back and lives
inside a book at the library with her two friends, Dragon and Prince. And she's
not standing around waiting for Prince Charming to save her. The story revolves
around her desire to become a princess "of the highest order," but she runs into
trouble at the Prettiest Primping Princess Pageant. Her jealous competitors try
to foil her, but Princess Bean prevails, reaffirming her confidence in herself.
Though the story is aimed primarily at girls, 6- to 8-year-old boys are sure to
enjoy the songs, the story line and Princess Bean's outgoing, tom-boyish,
in-your-face personality. The catchy pop/rock songs will help keep kids
following the story, and the empowering themes should stay with the listeners
long after this rock 'n' roll fairy tale comes to a conclusion."
PARENT MAGAZINE
LUCKY
STIFF
The Odyssey Theatre
(Los
Angeles Premiere)
Los
Angeles, California
"Critic's Pick! As 'Witherspoon' Seymour is an
absolute riot; his face a canvas on which director
Gary Gardner paints numerous expressions of shock and rage.
Flawless cast of seasoned
pros."
BACKSTAGE WEST
"Seymour is sweet
and winning as 'Witherspoon' milking the comedy for all it's worth,
but never losing grasp of his meek, lonely character."
VARIETY
"The most important
character, 'Harry Witherspoon' is played by William Seymour with considerable
style and skill. Seymour is a charmer of the
first order and has an excellent voice to boot."
DRAMA-LOGUE
"William Seymour, as the hapless shoe clerk, could
not be more winning. His manner so attractive and his
voice so clear that he is very much like
Richard Gere mixed with
Michael Crawford (before Mr. Crawford became, well, icky.)"
LA READER
BIG RIVER
The Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn
Regionally
"William
Seymour (Huck) has a remarkable performance with a powerful stage presence.
It's hard to divorce yourself from a tale that has
been passed down for a century, but Seymour captures
the essence of Huck Finn beautifully and brings the image of Huck to life."
THE ORION
"BIG RIVER is nothing
short of spectacular. The show's success are actors Harry Burney (Jim) and
William Seymour (Huck.) These two brought a
polish to their performances that can only be honed by the Broadway experience
they both boast. The lanky Seymour's charm played
well as did his voice in Roger Miller's all-American score.
The duets between Seymour and Burney provided the best moments in a three
hour show full of best moments; "Muddy Water", "Worlds
Apart", and "River in the Rain" were numbers that will haunt for years to come."
THE ENTERPRISE RECORD
WHAT's WHAT
Steve McGraw's, New York, N.Y. (Off-Broadway)
Wall
Street Center for the Performing Arts, Chico, California
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg,
Virginia
"ON TO THE BIG APPLE "Theater is where you
find it and this city will have an especially good chance of finding it right
here as 'What's What' makes its debut before heading on to New York City. The
show is still evolving, edited here and filled out there, but judging from the
Monday night preview, it's already a formidable piece of theatre. Seymour is an
energetic and versatile actor able to change personas in a heartbeat. The
collaboration with K. L. Waste came naturally, they've taken characters that
he's created, combined them with material that she's written and improvised new
material as well. The result is a series of thematically related monologues.
We get Kenny, a rocker, Iona, a lonely Midwestern widow, Eddie, a retired
wanderer, Marsha, an ad agency receptionist, Gilbert, a thrill seeking cab
driver, and Russell, a homeless man waiting for attention in an overburdened
AIDS clinic.
Everyone may laugh because they recognize the
characters throughout their own lives, but there's more than comedy at work
here. 'What's What' covers a wide emotional range through its odd aggregation
of characters, and given the strength of the talents involved, I'm guessing that
this is one you won't want to miss. "
THE NEWS AND REVIEW
"IS IT
SCHIZOPHRENIA OR IS IT ART? "Interviewing William Seymour was Like speaking
with a room full of people. He slipped in and out of the many characters he
created who will be seen and heard at "What's What," Seymour's solo play
co-created and directed by Katherine Lemke Waste. The play features eight
primary characters interconnecting to show how the people around us shape our
lives in this urban world. The show was created through interviews with real
people and then improvisation creating new characters."
THE ORION
"OPERA
BALL HIGHLIGHTS "The Special Guest performance last
night by William Seymour nearly brought the house down with two Broadway
numbers; "Giants in the Sky" and "River in the Rain." I can't wait to see his
one man show "What's What" at the Wall Street Center for the Performing Arts.
Incidentally, the show will then travel to New York and open Off-Broadway on
November 18th as a benefit for Equity Fights AIDS."
THE ENTERPRISE RECORD
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