Posted: 3/30/23 at 8:56pm
Theatremania is positive
Review: Life of Pi Brings a Harrowing Tale of Survival on the High Seas to the Stage
The hit West End adaptation of Yann Martel’s bestselling novel arrives on Broadway with all its visual enchantments intact.
Posted: 3/30/23 at 9:19pm
AMNY is positive(ish? mostly?)
Review | Animal puppetry steps up in ‘Life of Pi’
https://www.amny.com/entertainment/theater/animal-puppetry-steps-up-in-life-of-pi/
Posted: 3/30/23 at 9:46pm
Maybe just my own bubble, but I feel like this has NO buzz for a play that came from London with high pedigree, and also played a high-profile US nonprofit. Perhaps that changes if it gets rave reviews & lots of nominations?
Posted: 3/30/23 at 9:54pm
Three stars, recommended but mixed review from TimeOut
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/life-of-pi-broadway-review-yann-martel-tiger
"Webster’s stagecraft is dazzling, but don’t expect Life of Pi to make you believe in God. It will make you believe in puppet shows, and that may be enough."
Posted: 3/30/23 at 9:56pm
4 stars from New York Stage Review 1
Life of Pi: Play Delivers Stunning Stagecraft to Die For
By Roma Torre
★★★★☆ A terrific stage adaptation of the best selling novel ingeniously fleshes out humans and animals alike.
https://nystagereview.com/2023/03/30/life-of-pi-play-delivers-stunning-stagecraft-to-die-for/
Posted: 3/30/23 at 9:56pm
Posted: 3/30/23 at 9:56pm
4 stars from New York Stage Review 2
Life of Pi: The Acclaimed Novel and Film is Now Brought to Thrilling Theatrical Life
By Frank Scheck
★★★★☆ The Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Yann Martel's novel features breathtaking puppetry and stagecraft.
https://nystagereview.com/2023/03/30/life-of-pi-the-acclaimed-novel-and-film-is-now-brought-to-thrilling-theatrical-life/
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:02pm
Theatrely praises the puppetry and design, but
"But without that overwhelming sense of majesty—call it god, call it nature—and with a pesky intermission meddling with the 2-hour production’s momentum, Life of Pi falls a bit short of the endless possibility suggested by its lead’s name. Bring the kids, bring the edibles, and prepare to have your ship gently rocked."
https://www.theatrely.com/post/life-of-pi-awash-in-possibilities-review
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:03pm
NYT Critics Pick from Alexis Soloski
‘Life of Pi’ Review: A Boy and a Tiger, Burning Brightly
Human ingenuity and animal grace course through this rich, inventive play about difficult choices and the stories we tell to make sense of them.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/theater/life-of-pi-review.html
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:04pm
Deadline is all about the production design:
"Still, visual appeal can’t quite wash away a stacked-deck ending, or make a convincing case for the fanciful over the plausible. "
https://deadline.com/2023/03/life-of-pi-broadway-review-1235311550/
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:05pm
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:06pm
Daily Beast:
‘Life of Pi’ Broadway Review: When You’re Lost at Sea With a Hungry Tiger
"a charming theatrical adaptation by Lolita Chakrabarti of Yann Martel’s bestselling novel that for all its puppetry and special effects feels a gentle, modest enterprise."
https://www.thedailybeast.com/life-of-pi-broadway-review-when-youre-lost-at-sea-with-a-hungry-tiger
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:06pm
Daily News:
BROADWAY REVIEW: ‘Life of Pi’ has aquatic adventure aplenty but lacks intellectual and emotional heft
https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/broadway/ny-broadway-life-of-pi-20230331-yzl667rdhfh3nizidpf2g4pcxe-story.html
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:08pm
Entertainment Weekly:
Life of Pi review: The award-winning adaptation comes to stunning life on Broadway
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:09pm
Post: 3 out of 4
‘Life of Pi’ review: Eye-popping effects make a splash on Broadway
https://nypost.com/2023/03/30/life-of-pi-review-eye-popping-effects-make-a-splash-on-broadway/
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:12pm
Vulture:
Life of Pi Is Best When Its Fangs Are Visible
"We’re here for the tiger, folks—and yes, this tiger is pretty cool. It’s a pity that he’s stranded in a story awash with platitudes."
https://www.vulture.com/2023/03/theater-review-life-of-pi-broadway.html
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:19pm
Most of these reviews confirm how I felt about the show. It's visually spectacular and is just a remarkable watch. The script itself is only okay.
As per Tonys, I think this is the shoo-in for Best Lighting Design and Best Scenic Design of a Play and though I think it'll get nominated for Best Play, that will likely fall to Leopoldstadt. But this production truly deserves all of the design awards that it's destined to win this spring. Just a beauty.
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:54pm
ElephantLoveMedley said: "Most of these reviews confirm how I felt about the show. It's visually spectacular and is just a remarkable watch. The script itself is only okay.
As per Tonys, I think this is the shoo-in for Best Lighting Design and Best Scenic Design of a Play and though I think it'll get nominated for Best Play, that will likely fall toLeopoldstadt. But this production truly deserves all of the design awards that it's destined to win this spring. Just a beauty."
i agree with your assessment but i will be rooting against it, for no other reason than it is being performed in such a way that cheats half the orchestra out of what they paid to see it.
Posted: 3/30/23 at 10:58pm
I haven't seen it yet, but if the press was seated in their customary choice seats would they have missed out on some of the effects? Or were they possibly seated elsewhere because of this issue?
P.S: Nevermind. I just read a review which answered the question. The press was seated front mezzanine.
Updated On: 3/30/23 at 10:58 PM
Posted: 3/30/23 at 11:07pm
My thoughts too. For a show that keeps getting praised for its amazing projections, why not put this in something like Circle in the Square where more of the audience can see the floor? I know theater size, blah, blah, but is the stage super raked so the audience can see?
Posted: 3/30/23 at 11:10pm
RippedMan said: "... but is the stage super raked so the audience can see?"
I read somewhere that Equity wouldn't allow the severe rake for this production that was used in London.
Posted: 3/30/23 at 11:15pm
ElephantLoveMedley said: "As per Tonys, I think this is the shoo-in for Best Lighting Design and Best Scenic Design of a Play and though I think it'll get nominated for Best Play, that will likely fall toLeopoldstadt. But this production truly deserves all of the design awards that it's destined to win this spring. Just a beauty."
Could be a repeat of 2011: Clybourne Park wins Best Play, the design awards go to Peter and the Starcatcher. Having not seen Life of Pi, I can't predict who wins Best Director of a Play. Leopoldstadt's direction is competent but not as good as the writing...Life of Pi or Salesman?
Posted: 3/30/23 at 11:40pm
DTLI Consensus: Stunning projections and puppetry — plus a star-making lead performance by Hiran Abeysekera — make Life of Pi a splash hit despite some faulty writing.
10 positive (including the NYT), 4 mixed.
https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/life-of-pi/
Posted: 3/30/23 at 11:54pm
pethian said: "RippedMan said: "... but is the stage super raked so the audience can see?"
I read somewhere that Equity wouldn't allow the severe rake for this production that was used in London.
"
Interesting. Seems tough to charge premium tickets if you aren't getting the whole experience.
Posted: 3/30/23 at 11:59pm
If the stage is raked, I didnt notice it but it doesnt matter: significant elements/moments derive from either projections onto the stage floor OR (magical!) tricks in the stage floor. There is no way the front (and id guess even mid) orchestra catch any of this.
That they put the critics in the front mezz (a first?) confirms the point.
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