Life of Pi: A Theatrical Adaptation Pouncing into the Spotlight! - Elizabeth Teskey

Last Tuesday I spent my night in the living, breathing company of a Bengal tiger. The event was a theatrical feat of poignant pacing, breathtaking performances, and pure magic, achieved by none other than 2025’s touring production of Life of Pi (LoP). 

Based on the hit novel and movie of the same name, LoP follows teenager Pi Patel surviving 227 days at sea with a tiger. After other lackluster Broadway reimaginings of popular movies (I’m looking at you, Pretty Woman!) I was doubtful this show would make an impact. In reality, LoP grabbed its newest adaptation by the horns. It was an entirely unique and enchanting production that paid effective tribute to its movie’s wondrously vibrant style. 

The first thing that stood out to me was LoP’s flawless technical effects. Unlike any other production I’ve seen, it utilizes a harmonious combination of projections, versatile set design, turntables and old school lighting effects, allowing actors to practically dance between Indian zoos, the open seas, and a Mexican hospital room in seconds. It seemed there was not a single foot of this stage that could not be thoroughly transformed. In this way, rather than relying on one cheap trick to wow the audience, LoP pulled out a million! And believe me: it works. I was in increasing states of awe with each new transition. 

Even more impressive than LoP’s technical design, however, was Nick Barnes’ and Finn Caldwell’s puppetry. To achieve the animals so vital to the source material, this production utilizes over 20 driftwood puppets, from the antagonistic hyena, to the iconic tiger. It makes no attempt to hide the puppeteers operating these puppets, instead training these actors to portray viscerally realistic animalistic mannerisms that bring these art pieces to life. I didn’t even care that I could “see behind the curtain” of these visual effects; for all intents and purposes, those animals were the real deal.

The true wow-factor in LoP, however, is Pi himself (Taha Mandviwala). Pi’s role entails the unique challenge of remaining on stage nearly the entire show, often interacting only with puppets. He also must effortlessly pounce between the boyish joy of his flashbacks and his haunted present day self, as LoP’s stage adaptation takes place just days after Pi’s rescue. Mandviwala took playwright Lolita Chakrabarti’s interpretation in stride, grounding the story in a traumatized intensity that was missing in the movie’s detached narration. He brought the wonder, trauma, magic, and rocking boat of this play to life right before our eyes. Truly a treat to watch, through and through.     

Whether you were a die hard fan of LoP’s novel or not, this traveling production is a roaring adventure for all. It showcases the best acting and technical effects that modern theater has to offer, and only left me wanting another hour in this vibrant world. After watching Pi close his play by asking his audience what sort of story they prefer, you can trust that your answer will be just like mine: this one!