LIFE OF PI play...when will it come to Broadway?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 2:53pm

I don't think I knew that LIFE OF PI had been adapted as a play until today.

But now that Lolita Chakrabarti's play has won a slew of Olivier Awards, it seems the question is not if but when this will come to Broadway. It could be the rare play to crossover to mainstream success, similar to WAR HORSE and CURIOUS INCIDENT. It is visually stunning.

With more announcements to come, it has already won:

– Best New Play
– Best Actor (Hiran Abeysekera)
– Best Supporting Actor (the 7 actors who play the Tiger)
– Best Set Design

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 02:53 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 3:11pm

Oh I've no doubt this will come over. Just a matter of finding the right theater for it.

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 4:00pm

It was visually pretty, but that script *ouch* 

It comes nowhere close to the much better puppet British import War Horse.

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 04:00 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 6:22pm

Just watched the ''Life of Pi'' segment on the Oliviers, and it looks pretty reminiscent of the puppetry we've seen in ''The Lion King'' and ''War Horse.'' 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 6:43pm

It’s one of the most visually impressive things I’ve ever seen. The issues with the show are, in fact, with the script and I found those issues to be mainly in act two. I would love for them to find a way to fix all of that, but I’m sure the show is just set in stone now.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 6:45pm

I love the film, and I love puppetry like this - I'm dying to see it, regardless of the state of the script. It can't be any worse than the script for King Kong. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 6:58pm

Oh God, no. It’s nothing like “King Kong”. The script just needs some revisions due mainly to tonal shifts (I felt).

[binau]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 6:59pm

Olivier award for best set over both Moulin Rogue and Back to the Future? Seems like a slight upset? 

[joshdog2014]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 7:10pm

binau said: "Olivier award for best set over both Moulin Rogue and Back to the Future? Seems like a slight upset?"

I believe the category was “Best Design” and the nomination/award was shared between the set designer and puppet designer which might explain it. Still just as impressive of a win though

Best Lighting Design can also be added to the list of wins!

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 07:10 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 9:25pm

JBroadway said: "I love the film, and I love puppetry like this - I'm dying to see it, regardless of the state of the script. It can't be any worse than the script for King Kong."

I mean, those standards are pretty low  🤣  Not worse, but still not great past the spectacle.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 9:45pm

blaxx said: "JBroadway said: "I love the film, and I love puppetry like this - I'm dying to see it, regardless of the state of the script. It can't be any worse than the script for King Kong."

I mean, those standards are pretty low ? Not worse, but still not great past the spectacle."

 

My point is that I enjoy spectacle, especially if it's done with artful and impressive puppetry like this, and I don't mind sitting through a bad script in exchange for it. I do find that I have lower standards for the types of stories/experiences that I fundamentally tend to enjoy. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 10:25pm

I want to smack the Olivier’s for some of their category names.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 10:31pm

You mean like “The Gillian Lynne Platinum American Express Contactless Debit Card App Best Actress Award”?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/10/22 at 10:42pm

Jordan Catalano said: "You mean like “The Gillian Lynne Platinum American Express Contactless Debit Card App Best Actress Award”?"

That and like...the award for Best Original Score OR New Orchestrations?? Two very different jobs?? At least it's better than the old title -- "achievement in music."

I think the Tonys should sponsors to the category names. The Kotex Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play. The MyPillow Award for Best Sound Design of a Musical. The Breitbart Award for Best Play.

Updated On: 4/10/22 at 10:42 PM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 3:56am

I saw this and the Ocean at the End of the Lane on the same day this week (the latter was eligible last season). Pi did nothing for me, but the Ocean at the End of the Lane? Absolutely thrilling, one of the most visually spectacular pieces I’ve seen I wish that would transfer 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 8:17am

So if this does transfer, what theatres might be good for it?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 10:27am

jkcohen626 said: "So if this does transfer, what theatres might be good for it?"

It's playing the Wyndham's in London, so one would assume it will work in ANY proscenium house less than like...1200 seats.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 10:30am

BroadwayNYC2 said: "I wish that would transfer"

 

Let's get both! 

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 12:23pm

This is such a meh play enhanced by some nice visuals. War Horse has a lot to answer for. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 12:27pm

BroadwayNYC2 said: "I saw this and the Ocean at the End of the Lane on the same day this week (the latter was eligible last season). Pi did nothing for me, but the Ocean at the End of the Lane? Absolutely thrilling, one of the most visually spectacular pieces I’ve seen I wish that would transfer"

I still need a good explanation as to how they do the appearing illusions in Ocean. It was jaw dropping.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 4/11/22 at 2:17pm

I don't know. Something about this makes me feel like it won't play Broadway. I don't know if its that I wonder were the audience is, or if because War Horse was the first, and now its not as exciting...idk. Maybe off-Broadway at BAM or something. But, I feel like nothing we saw at the Olivier's last night will transfer, except *maybe* Cabaret

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 10/24/22 at 10:32am

Previews begin March 9 at the Schoenfeld, with an opening date of March 30.

American Express presale now through October 31.

Audience Reward presale October 31.

General sale November 3.

Updated On: 10/24/22 at 10:32 AM