The touring production of Life of Pi is an adventure, to say the least! Many elements are involved in bringing the story to life, and they are masterful!
The story for Life of Pi first came to fruition as the novel by Yann Martel. The Ang Lee-directed film brought the story to screens in 2012. The theatrical production, featuring an adapted story by Lolita Chakrabarti, debuted in 2019 in the UK before making its way to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2022 for a brief run before a short-lived tenure on Broadway in 2023 (which boasts three Tony Awards) that led to the current touring company.
Directed by Max Webster, Life of Pi is an adventure for all ages!
The plot is simple but comes with a complex set of circumstances. Pi Patel (Taha Mandviwala) is the son of a zoo keeper, ‘Father’ (Sorab Wadia). He’s an energetic teenager who loves life. He’s studying Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam because he believes in more than himself and is curious about the world. Pi’s father and mother, Amma (Jessica Angleskhan), believe it is no longer safe in their home in Pondicherry, India, and want to relocate him and his sister, Rani (Sharayu Mahale), to North America. The family boards a Japanese freighter to fit all their animals as they start their life in Canada. While aboard the Tsimtsum, a storm ensues, and the boat sinks. Pi manages to retain a lifeboat but soon realizes he’s not alone. A tiger was one of the main animals sharing the lifeboat with Pi. It is at this time that the audience finds itself back in a hospital in which Pi has been recovering from the 227 days he was out at sea. Through flashbacks, storytelling, and perhaps some embellishment, Pi was questioned about what happened aboard the Tsimtsum as the sole survivor. The shipping company member Mr. Okamoto (Alan Ariano) and a bubbly member of the Canadian Embassy (Mi Kang) were both present in Pi’s hospital room in Mexico, where he came ashore. This fantastical story is unbelievable, according to Mr. Okamoto, who wants Pi to tell the truth. This is left for the audience to decide for themselves.
Theatergoers have long been accustomed to suspended reality in plays or musicals. One area that is not as common is puppets and, more so, puppeteers. Life of Pi currently has one of the largest groups of puppeteers in any theater production. With nearly ten people making up the various animals, it’s something very special to see it in action. It might be possible to think it would be distracting to have a team of three people making up a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. On Media Night, the puppeteers comprising the tiger were Jon Hoche, Betsy Rosen, and Austin Wong Harper. The puppeteers trade off positions and rotate throughout the performances. This allows them to not put too much strain on their bodies from the unique motions they must do to bring the various animals to life. Another animal brought to life was Orange Juice, the female Orangutan. There are schools of fish, a sea turtle, a zebra, hyena, and for a brief moment, a giraffe appeared.
Bringing these puppets to life took a talented team of people. Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell designed these handmade puppets, which took countless hours to create. Finn was later instrumental in creating the movements for all the puppets that the puppeteers use to bring the creatures to life.
What was truly remarkable was how the puppeteers just melted away. They performed their puppets so well and with such animation that it was effortless to fixate on the characters they portrayed. Sure, Richard Parker had three talented actors bringing him to life, but after a few minutes, one sees a tiger. It was very similar to watching a movie with subtitles. After a few minutes, it’s not even noticeable!
Cleverock had the opportunity to interview cast members, including Taha (Pi). Jon Hoche (Resident Director), Toussaint Jeanlouis, Betsy Rosen, and Austin Wong Harper).
{Check out those interviews below}
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There are layers of performers for a show like this. When the story is in the present time, Pi is dealing with life after nearly a year of being lost at sea. He was interacting with those who were there to hear his story. During Pi’s time at sea with Richard Parker, Taha really shines. For half of the show, Taha is narrating and speaking to animals. When the puppeteers brought the puppets to life, no dialog was spoken. Taha had to hold up the show. His high energy, fear, and humor balance was no easy task. There were moments when Taha almost puppets himself. Several puppeteers help carry him in a scene where he dove into the sea.
The stage was unique and sneakily practical. Throughout the play, the stage is a zoo, a boat, an island, a hospital, and an ocean. For this to work, it took careful planning, and Tim Hatley, the set and costume designer, was primarily responsible. When the story takes audience members into the boat with Pi, the side walls rise, and two halves of a lifeboat join in the middle of the stage.
Lighting was another key element that brought the production to life. Lights were projected on the stage to give the illusion of the Pacific Ocean when Pi and Richard Parker were lost at sea. Lighting played a significant factor in the storm that sunk the Tsimtsum. Projectors were used to become the blue skies of the day and the starry skies of the night.
The sound was great. Without the use of a live orchestra, the soundtrack, written by Andrew T. McKay, was light and peaceful. Something noteworthy was the sounds of Richard Parker. All three of the puppeteers were wearing microphones, and any one of them could make his sounds. While the head might be responsible for the occasional roar, many sounds make up the iconic tiger.
Life of Pi tells his story about survival, life, beauty, hardship, and friendship. His faith helped the young man live lost at sea for 227 days. This show is for anyone who appreciates a great story, animals, and seeing something they’ve never seen before. Don’t wait 227 days to see Life of Pi, as it’s only in Cleveland through January 26!
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