Life of Pi – Play – Review – Paramount Theatre – Shows I've Seen

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Life of Pi play from Seattle Theatre Group & Broadway Across America. Starring Taha Mandviwala. Incredibly realistic puppetry. Hauntingly beautiful story. Mind blown at the final reveal. You’ll rethink everything.

Recommendation:
See it, especially if you enjoy stage puppetry like in The Lion King.

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Probably not, but it was good.

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Yes

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Pi and his family leave behind their idyllic life in India (along with the animals from their zoo) setting sail for Canada to escape growing political unrest. But their voyage quickly turns into a harrowing fight for survival where nature is unforgiving, and the rule is simple: eat or be eaten.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: A THEATRICAL EVENT UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE! Winner of three Tony Awards® and the Olivier Award for Best Play, the Broadway and West End sensation LIFE OF PI is “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal). Based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, LIFE OF PI is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation and “gives new life to Broadway” (The Today Show). Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world class puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, Lolita Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation of LIFE OF PI creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: A couple

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Dynamic

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you might appreciate this more if you read the book or saw the movie.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Union Actors: All

Total Actors: Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium to fast speed – I was surprised how quickly we reached the end of the first act.

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.25 hours

Other Rave(s)

Puppetry: While I’m typically not a fan of stage puppetry, the animal puppetry design and execution were incredibly realistic and detailed. It felt like the puppets had minds of their own – wild and fierce! Think of the puppets in The Lion King but with a vengeance. It was probably the most well-executed puppetry I’ve seen on stage. Side note, they designed the tiger so toned and muscular. If he were on the apps, he’d be getting swipes all day!
Symbolism: The reveal at the end recontextualized everything I’d just seen. You know it’s a good twist when it causes you to mentally replay and reevaluate the scenes after the show. It reminded me of the satisfying reveal in ArtsWest’s recent Covenant play.
Tough Love with Teeth: At the start, Pi came off as an infuriatingly naïve child. He was curious to the point of recklessness and in desperate need of a reality check. When his father discovered Pi wandered near the tiger Richard Parker, the punishment his father ingeniously devised was brutal but undeniably effective to traumatically brand Pi’s mind with the lesson. In a move that was both horrifying and unforgettable, he placed Pi’s beloved goat, Buckingham, in the tiger’s enclosure so Pi could witness the raw, unforgiving nature of wild animals. I have to admit, given how exasperating Pi was at first, a twisted part of me welcomed the lesson. That’ll teach ‘im! Sometimes, harsh truths bite hardest when they’re served with teeth.
Favorite Line: “To choose doubt [agnosticism] as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as means of transportation.”

Rant(s)

Paramount Theatre Seats: As I’ve often noted, the seating arrangement at the Paramount Theatre is infamous for obstructed views due to a shallow floor incline. I found myself struggling to see over the person in front of me. I’m not short and they weren’t tall.

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

Survival: The harrowing portrayal of survival was both disturbing and deeply affecting. I can only hope I’m never faced with such a horrifying desperate fight for existence.

Theatre Company: National Tour from Broadway Across America and Seattle Theatre Group

Venue: Parmount Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101

Price Range: $35 to 130 plus the insane Ticketmaster fees. Buy your ticket at the box office to avoid the exorbitant fees. Down with the Ticketmaster Live Nation monopoly!

Ticket Affordability Options: Seattle Theatre Group might partner with an organization you’re affiliated with for discount tickets. For example, I believe UW employees/students are eligible for an organization discount.

Dates: 4/15/25 to 4/20/25

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid street parking and paid garage parking. The best parking garage is under the convention center w/ the entrance on Pike around the Pike and Terry intersection. Last I checked, this is one of the cheapest, least busy, and closest garages. Alternatively, you can probably find street parking as you move closer to the West Precinct (810 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101). Do NOT park where the Paramount subscribers park. Last I checked, they usually park in the garage attached to the Cheesecake Factory. It’ll take you at least 30 minutes to exit that garage after the show.

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Pictures: See production pictures below by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.com.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.