“Life of Pi” at the Schoenfeld Theatre brings two powerful things to this show, sensational projections and an incredible performance by lead actor, Hiran Abeysekera (Pi). Playwright Lolita Chakrararti generally keeps the play steadfast to the novel by Yann Martel. It takes a while in the first act to pick up steam, but when it does, it is quite moving and in-depth.
With political turmoil in India, the family which owns a zoo is setting out from Pondicherry, India to Canada for a better life. Bringing the animals along, the ship sinks and Pi is alone on a small boat with four of the zoo’s animals. The real question, as in the book and movie is: are animals metaphors for people? When Pi recounts his story to the authorities, is his remembrance accurate? Pi has been on the sea for 227 days, sometimes he goes longer than a week without water. His delirium has the Bengal tiger, by the name of Richard Parker, talking to him.
The precocious Pi attends a Muslim Mosque on Fridays, a Hindu Temple on Saturdays and a Christian Church on Sundays. To him, all religions have the same premise. In the throws of this play, it is about religion. When the Japanese representative investigating the case tells Pi that he is an atheist, Pi tells him when he hears his story, he will believe in religion and God.
As Pi makes his way on the sea, Andrzej Goulding’s video design is exceptional. The waves come crashing up against the boat as Pi navigates the Bengal tiger which is the only animal left of the four. Director Max Webster does an admirable job with a so-so ensemble cast. For the most part, “Life of Pi” moves well and keeps the audience’s interest. Tim Lutkin’s lighting takes us to the eerie depths of the sea with cool blues and onward to the bright oranges of happier days. While the puppetry by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes never wows us, the costumes by Tim Hatley, who also does the scenic design, are first-rate on both accounts. The sound design by Carolyn Downing is strong and complements the video and staging, making Pi a strong contender for a Tony for Best Play.
