Life of Pi • April 2, 2025 • Eccles Theater
Reviewed by Kevin Rolfe
Photographed by Murphy Made and Kevin Rolfe
In April 2025, Salt Lake City’s Eccles Theater hosted the Tony and Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s acclaimed novel Life of Pi.” This theatrical production captivated audiences with its innovative storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and profound exploration of survival and spirituality. We had the opportunity to attend the play on Opening Night, April 1, 2025. Every aspect of the production was impressive.
Life of Pi narrates the extraordinary journey of Pi Patel, a sixteen-year-old boy who survives a shipwreck and finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with four unlikely companions: a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. The narrative delves into themes of faith, resilience, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination.
Adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti, the play has been lauded for its creative interpretation of the novel. Critics have described it as “an exhilarating evening of theater” and noted its ability to “give new life to Broadway.” The production employs a combination of puppetry, innovative set designs, and compelling performances to bring Pi’s story to life.
The Eccles Theater, located at 131 Main Street in Salt Lake City, hosts Life of Pi from April 1 to April 6, 2025. The performance schedule included evening shows at 7:00 PM on April 1-3, a 7:30 PM show on April 4, and two shows on April 5 and 6 at 1:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
The touring production featured a talented ensemble cast. Taha Mandviwala portrayed the protagonist, Pi Patel, delivering a performance that resonated with audiences. Mandviwala shared some of his thoughts on playing a character such as Pi. “I love this character more than anything I’ve ever done in my entire life.I feel like Pi is written from and by the divine. He is someone who has this ocean of curiosity. He’s a student of life. He loves people. He’s wise beyond his years. Pi finds a lot of vitality in nature, in people, in God, and in different iterations of God. You also get to see his arc through the show as he’s tested through this incredibly perilous and traumatic experience.”
He’s a representation of how we call upon these things. How we call upon faith, how we call upon our resilience. And how we call upon people in our lives that shape us. The people that have gifted us with knowledge and wisdom and fortitude. And all of these things in the moments we need it most. I think he’s a wonderful example of that. And how we can call upon all these things to bring ourselves salvation.” It is very clear through Taha’s performance that he is in complete connection with the character of Pi.
Audiences in Salt Lake City responded enthusiastically to the production. As I left the theater, I could hear the chatter about the production. All of it was extremely positive. Some doubted that they would like it and were instead overcome with emotion. Others, having heard that it was an incredible production and having those expectations met. Some were calling their friends and demanding that they buy tickets to the show immediately. I even saw people buying tickets to return to see the play again during this run. This play far exceeded my expectations. I had heard that it was well done. I was told that the puppetry was jaw-dropping. And it was. I think because it’s not a musical, I wasn’t sure how it would be. But I thought it was so well done and worth all the accolades it has received.
The staging of Life of Pi at the Eccles Theater in April 2025 was a testament to the power of innovative theater to captivate and inspire audiences. Through its masterful blend of storytelling, visual artistry, and profound themes, the production offered a memorable experience that resonated deeply with those who attended. It highlighted the enduring relevance of Pi’s journey and the universal quest for meaning and survival.
Life of Pi Media Day
I had the good fortune of attending a sneak-peek event the day after I attended the show. We were able to observe a panel consisting of, Resident Director/ U.S. Associate Puppetry & Movement Director John Hoche, Assistant Puppetry & Movement Direction/ Puppet Captain Betsy Rosen, Taha Mandviwala, who plays Pi, and the star of the show, Royal Bengal Tiger Richard Parker. Richard, of course, was puppeted by Aaron Haskell, Anna Vomacka, and Anna Leigh Gorter.
There was an incredible part of the panel when Richard Parker made his appearance. He moved throughout the seated area, growling and sniffing those in attendance. It’s so strange how easy it was to suspend disbelief as this life-sized puppet made its way by me. The movement is so authentic, and it’s simply amazing to see how much goes into each bit of movement.
Each of the three puppets is responsible for a certain part of the Tiger’s body. Anna Leigh Gorter is the hind puppeteer, responsible for the rhythm in the hind legs and the emotional indicator of the tail. Anna Vomacka is in the middle of the tiger. She operates the front two paws and brings weight to the chest and arms. Aaron Haskell handles the head. Each responsibility is so involved, needing each three to be in sync with each other to make the tiger move naturally. They communicate with each other through breath. This was one of the most impressive things to witness.