Day 423-Life of Pi, A Theatrical Experience-Finding “a Light” to Defeat Fear

 

 Life of Pi is a stage production based on Yann Martel’s best-selling novel. The book was also adapted into a movie. A 16-year old boy’s journey to survive a cargo shipwreck sharing a lifeboat with a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger is brought to life with the use of extraordinary puppets and special effects.   Pi, an explorer of spirituality, found his own “light” to defeat fear. He holds on for 227 days adrift in the ocean before being rescued.   

 

* Life in the zoo seems peaceful and harmonious unit it was not.

Reflection

 I recall being confused when I saw the movie, but the play brought clarity and vitality to the story with extraordinary visuals. As the sole survivor of the wreck, Pi is a master storyteller of the events having us question what is true and what is imagined. This time when hearing the story I thought, “Does it matter? It’s about how one overcomes extreme adversity.”

Pi (Taha Mandviwala) with his expressions, physicality and passion draws you into the narrative.  His family owned a zoo in India but due to political unrest his father moves the animals and his family on a cargo ship journey to Canada.

*"Orange Juice" the orangutan moves through branches.

The play opens in India with fluttering butterflies, a huge giraffe, zebra and “Orange Juice” the orangutan, moving though branches.  It is a peaceful harmonious life until it’s not. His father warns his children, “Man is the most dangerous animal in the zoo.”

The set masterfully transforms from a hospital to an Indian market, cargo ship and the ocean. The storm with light simulating rain and dramatic sounds was one of my favorite scenes.   The animals are not fluffy characters like in the Lion King play. The Tiger (Mr. Parker) has piercing eyes, and 3 humans work in unison to portray its strength and power. This show is a visual work of art.  

*It's visual art but there are other layers to explore if desired.

Life of Pi can be enjoyed for that reason alone but there are layers for the audience to explore if desired. Pi investigates Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. When his parents ask him to choose one, he says, “Why choose, they are all versions of the same thing to get closer to God.”  My favorite line in the play was, “Fear poisons everything and you need a light to defeat it.” The Life of Pi is a story of endurance where Pi found his own “light” to overcome the worst of life’s circumstances. In order to do this, sometimes inventing a “story” helps.   

(The Life of Pi is part of PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. For tickets and more on the Broadway series go to Trustarts.org) 

* Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

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Spiritual reflections.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

The fear of man lays a snare but whoever trust in the Lord is safe.  Proverbs 29:25

Other Sources:

  Mandviwala bio

Life of Pi Broadway Tour