By Matt Omasta
Broadway in Cincinnati’s production of Life of Pi at the Aronoff Center is a visually stunning and emotionally compelling adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel. Running from February 4-9, 2025, this stage version—adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Max Webster—delivers an inventive and immersive theatrical experience.
The Plot of Life of Pi at the Aronoff
The story follows Pi Patel, a 17-year-old boy who survives a shipwreck only to find himself stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. Simultaneously beautiful and heartbreaking, it weaves a tale of profound loss, suffering, and the incredible will to survive. Pi loses his family, his home, and nearly his life throughout his journey of both physical survival and emotional reckoning.
Local Lead Performer
Taha Mandviwala, who studied at the University of Kentucky and completed an acting internship at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, gives a deeply moving performance as Pi. He captures not only the character’s resilience and ingenuity but also his grief, loneliness, and desperate search for meaning in the face of overwhelming tragedy.
The Puppetry is Remarkable
A highlight of the production is its incredible puppetry. Richard Parker and the other animals are brought to life with remarkable skill by the puppeteers, including Cincinnati native Anna Leigh Gortner. The precision and realism of their movements make the tiger feel truly alive, adding an extra layer of tension and wonder to Pi’s story. The relationship between Pi and Richard Parker—adversarial yet symbiotic—is among the most compelling aspects of the play, reinforcing themes of survival, companionship, and the blurred line between reality and storytelling.
Evocative Design Elements
Tim Hatley’s scenic and costume design creates an evocative world, from the warm vibrancy of Pi’s home in India to the vast, lonely ocean. The clever use of projections and set pieces effectively conveys the ever-changing environment, from violent storms to the eerie stillness of open water. The design choices support the storytelling without overwhelming it, allowing the audience to focus on Pi’s internal journey.
Lighting designers Tim Lutkin and Tim Deiling, along with sound designer Carolyn Downing, enhance the atmosphere with striking visuals and soundscapes. The interplay of light and shadow heightens the drama, especially during the storm sequences. The sound design adds depth to both the action and the quieter, more introspective moments. The vast emptiness of the ocean is made all the more haunting through their work, amplifying Pi’s isolation and desperation.
While the production excels in its visual and technical elements, its prioritization of action and spectacle doesn’t always capture the full philosophical nuance of the novel some might expect. However, the overall storytelling remains engaging, and the emotional weight of Pi’s journey is powerfully conveyed.
Conclusion
Life of Pi at the Aronoff Center is a beautiful and moving production that brings this extraordinary story to life with stunning visuals and an outstanding lead performance. Those unfamiliar with the storyline should know that while the play offers moments of wonder and hope, it is ultimately a tragic tale of loss and survival. The emotional impact is profound, and while there is beauty in Pi’s resilience, his journey is not an easy one. Audiences should be prepared for a deeply affecting theatrical experience—one that lingers long after the final curtain.
Get Tickets to Life of Pi at the Aronoff
See Life of Pi at the Aronoff Center now through February 9th. Get tickets at the official source HERE.
AGES: The performance may not be suitable for viewers under 13. The show contains some mature content and violence, smoke, haze, flashing lights, strobe lights. Loud sounds throughout as well as scenes of animal ferocity and the death of animals, depicted by life-like puppets.
RUN TIME: 2 hours, 10 minutes including intermission
