Video: Go Behind LIFE OF PI's Puppetry on THE TODAY SHOW

Life of Pi is now running at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street).

By: Mar. 28, 2023

The TODAY Show went behind the scenes of The Life of Pi on Broadway to get an inside look at the production's acclaimed puppetry.

LIFE OF PI is directed by Max Webster, with Set and Costume design by Olivier Award winner Tim Hatley, Puppetry and Movement Direction by Olivier Award winner Finn Caldwell, Puppet Design by Olivier Award winners Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell.

"It keeps me on my toes every single time. It's quite magnificent," said the play's star, Hiran Abeysekera, about the puppetry.

TODAY's Al Roker went backstage to learn more about the play's puppetry, speaking with the puppeteers, directors, and more.

"We looked at real tigers and at the zoo and nature videos a lot," said Caldwell, who also studied the animal's breathing and roar to prepare for the play.

Lolita Chakrabarti's stage adaption of Yann Martel's best-selling novel Life of Pi is now running at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street).

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction - winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide - Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy name Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors - a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Watch the new segment here:






RELATED STORIES

1
Uma Paranjpe Will Make Broadway Principal Debut Tonight in LIFE OF PI Photo
Uma Paranjpe Will Make Broadway Principal Debut Tonight in LIFE OF PI

Uma Paranjpe will make her Broadway principal debut tonight, May 9, in the title role of Life of Pi! This will mark the first time the role is played by a female on Broadway.

2
LIFE OF PI Puppeteers to Take Part in Talkback Session in June Photo
LIFE OF PI Puppeteers to Take Part in Talkback Session in June

Mango Moon Productions will present 'Puppetry Night at Life of Pi' on June 8th at 7:00 pm at the Schoenfeld Theater in NYC.

3
LIFE OF PI Launches New Initiative For South Asian and AAPI Community Photo
LIFE OF PI Launches New Initiative For South Asian and AAPI Community

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, LIFE OF PI on Broadway has announced the launch of The Power of Pi Project, a first-of-its-kind effort from a Broadway production to nurture genuine connections and partnerships with the AAPI community in New York and beyond.

4
Interview: Olivier-Nominated LIFE OF PI Composer Andrew T. Mackay Photo
Interview: Olivier-Nominated LIFE OF PI Composer Andrew T. Mackay

Read BroadwayWorld's Interview with Olivier nominated composer Andrew T. Mackay as he discusses Life of Pi on Broadway.

Buy at the Theatre Shop T-Shirts, Mugs, Phone Cases & More

From This Author - Michael Major

Michael Major is a Connecticut native and a graduate of Marist College.After starting out running social media for a theatre company, his love of pop culture led him to intern at TigerBeat Media. Afte... (read more about this author)

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You