LIFE OF PI play...when will it come to Broadway?

I don't think I knew that LIFE OF PI had been adapted as a play until today.

But now that Lolita Chakrabarti's play has won a slew of Olivier Awards, it seems the question is not if but when this will come to Broadway. It could be the rare play to crossover to mainstream success, similar to WAR HORSE and CURIOUS INCIDENT. It is visually stunning.

With more announcements to come, it has already won:

– Best New Play
– Best Actor (Hiran Abeysekera)
– Best Supporting Actor (the 7 actors who play the Tiger)
– Best Set Design

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 02:53 PM

It was visually pretty, but that script *ouch* 

It comes nowhere close to the much better puppet British import War Horse.

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 04:00 PM

It’s one of the most visually impressive things I’ve ever seen. The issues with the show are, in fact, with the script and I found those issues to be mainly in act two. I would love for them to find a way to fix all of that, but I’m sure the show is just set in stone now.

Oh God, no. It’s nothing like “King Kong”. The script just needs some revisions due mainly to tonal shifts (I felt).

binau said: "Olivier award for best set over both Moulin Rogue and Back to the Future? Seems like a slight upset?"

I believe the category was “Best Design” and the nomination/award was shared between the set designer and puppet designer which might explain it. Still just as impressive of a win though

Best Lighting Design can also be added to the list of wins!

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 07:10 PM

blaxx said: "JBroadway said: "I love the film, and I love puppetry like this - I'm dying to see it, regardless of the state of the script. It can't be any worse than the script for King Kong."

I mean, those standards are pretty low ? Not worse, but still not great past the spectacle."

 

My point is that I enjoy spectacle, especially if it's done with artful and impressive puppetry like this, and I don't mind sitting through a bad script in exchange for it. I do find that I have lower standards for the types of stories/experiences that I fundamentally tend to enjoy. 

You mean like “The Gillian Lynne Platinum American Express Contactless Debit Card App Best Actress Award”?

I saw this and the Ocean at the End of the Lane on the same day this week (the latter was eligible last season). Pi did nothing for me, but the Ocean at the End of the Lane? Absolutely thrilling, one of the most visually spectacular pieces I’ve seen I wish that would transfer 

jkcohen626 said: "So if this does transfer, what theatres might be good for it?"

It's playing the Wyndham's in London, so one would assume it will work in ANY proscenium house less than like...1200 seats.

This is such a meh play enhanced by some nice visuals. War Horse has a lot to answer for. 

I don't know. Something about this makes me feel like it won't play Broadway. I don't know if its that I wonder were the audience is, or if because War Horse was the first, and now its not as exciting...idk. Maybe off-Broadway at BAM or something. But, I feel like nothing we saw at the Olivier's last night will transfer, except *maybe* Cabaret