Olivier-winning LIFE OF PI On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LIFE-OF-PI-Will-Make-North-American-Premiere-at-ART-in-December-20220511

American Repertory Theater will produce in its 2022/23 Season the North American premiere of Life of Pi, the acclaimed theatrical adaptation by Lolita Chakrabarti of the best-selling novel by Yann Martel. Max Webster will direct, with Tony Award winner Tim Hartley providing scenic and costume design and Finn Caldwell providing puppetry and movement direction.

Life of Pi is currently playing in London's West End, where last month it won five Olivier Awards, including Best New Play.

Updated On: 3/29/23 at 02:27 PM

Rumored pre-Broadway tryout and that it will play the Schoenfeld in the Spring.

I hadn't read the book but I thought it was the best thing I saw in London during my trip in May (and I saw a lot).  The story is of course wonderful, but I thought the staging especially brought it to life, with the use of puppets but also the transitions between Pi's recollections of his time in the lifeboat and his interview in the hospital.  It actually almost feels graphic at times despite knowing that all the animals are just puppets, but overall it's just a really beautiful piece.  One of my friends that came with me had read the book before and also enjoyed it a lot, though he said there were some minor changes to how the story was framed/structured.

I just read this on Playbill website 

 

“Lolita Chakrabarti (Red Velvet)'s Life of Pi will made its Broadway debut beginning March 9, 2023 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, with opening night set for March 30. ”

Not buried, just on another thread:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1154664

Anyone plan on attending the first preview on Thursday?

Be prepared, if you are in the front orchestra, the stage is very high. 

It seems the same as the published script. 

Wee Thomas2 said: "Fosse76 said: "Be prepared, if you are in the front orchestra, the stage is very high."

it's to stop the tiger from leaping on the audience"

Actually tonight there was a runaway cart that came this close to rolling off the stage and onto the front row! A cast member ran out from the wings to grab it at the last second, definitely prevented some injuries there!

I was just at the first preview and I loved it! The puppeteer work is just so incredibly impressive. I was in awe of the stagecraft on display the whole time.

I saw this in London and remember appreciating the spectacle but being underwhelmed by the writing.  While that hasn't changed overall (saw the show last night...TDF, Mezzanine B26), I found myself more moved than I had been in London.  There are still some plodding points of the plot (especially in the first act), and the dialogue is overly didactic at points.  But the spectacle and stagecraft is still stellar, and I enjoyed the whole as very much greater than the sum of its parts.

And yes, omg, the runaway cart last night!  Definitely some first preview technical issues (dropped bananas, flickering lights, some sound issues), but the show is in good shape overall, and these issues will certainly get worked out.  

Can very comfortably recommend this strong (but imperfect) production.

Saw this at A.R.T.

The projections on the stage floor are exceptional but I was sitting too low and too close in the orchestra to get  the full effect.  I would love to see this from the mezz .  However, I think War Horse was a much better show all around.  

I've experienced all three and I'd say the book is endearing, but the film is bad and the play is just awful. I couldn't believe how bad the writing was, they could've gotten away with a non-verbal approach and it would be an improvement.

Beautiful spectacle, dismal book. Even the book for Bombay Dreams was better.

I saw this shortly before it closed in London. I agree that it was visually breathtaking and that the script is very rough. Also some really dodgy acting from a few people; hopefully it was an off-night.

For me, the worst part

 

Honestly though, the visuals are so beautiful and the actor who played Pi was so good that it almost makes up for it. The high points put tears in my eyes and only made the low points even more frustrating.

Updated On: 3/11/23 at 10:59 AM