I don’t know why I thought that Life of Pi would be a one person play. And I really meant to re-read the novel before I went to the media night for Life of Pi with Broadway in Seattle this past week. But of course, life gets in the way of things like this, and I was frantically googling a summary of the book to share with my husband (who had not read it or watched the movie) as we slid into our seats. If you’re not familiar with the book either, it’s pretty much about a 17-year-old boy named Pi who miraculously survives 227 days in a lifeboat after the ship carrying his family and all the animals from their zoo in Pondicherry India sinks on its journey to Canada. This touring Life of Pi Broadway production brings this story to stage with an incredible cast of actors and life-like puppets. And now that I’ve seen it I don’t think you need to read the book first to understand this play. Life of Pi is only in Seattle until April 20th so if you’re looking for tickets you need to get them ASAP.
You also need to know this play is not a play for children.
Life of Pi has puppet animals that would be so curiosity inspiring for kids but the subject of this play is definitely mature and disturbing at its core as we learn about the details of Pi’s survival tale. (It’s recommend for ages 13+ and I would totally agree) But for grownups this is also a story to “make you believe in God” and it is so full of love and hope and also maybe that we inspire our kids a bit too with all the things we tell them and show them in our lives. The theme of teamwork that allows Pi to survive is almost echoed in the teamwork that creates the harmonious movements of puppets and humans on stage. And this is not a one person play-there are a lot of puppets and humans on stage. Sometimes the puppets are so compelling that we forget how many humans are actually on stage too. I did. I barely realized how actors create the movements of these animals until I learned about them at a press event the next day. This is such a brilliantly designed play. We are whisked back and forth from a market in India, to a room in a hospital, to a giant ship packing for its journey, and a boat all alone in the sea and we believe it all.
Can we talk about the puppets in Life of Pi for a bit too?
I was invited to a press conference where Richard Parker came to visit and you can get a feel for how Richard Parker makes an up close entrance in this video. Richard Parker is the tiger that accompanies Pi on his journey. He is made up of three actors who move as one to create a larger than life character who is believable and compelling. There are also puppets that create a zebra, hyenas, a goat, orangutans and more. I think at one point I wondered if the trees in the background of the set might be puppets too. There is a lot of movement in this play created by puppets and scenery that I haven’t noticed as much in other plays and this gives such a feeling of life to this incredible survival story.
Places to eat nearby the Paramount Theatre?
I’ve noticed that the Carlile Room across the street often has themed menu items and drinks that correlate with the plays at the Paramount Theatre, and yes, they definitely have a few Life of Pi themed drinks and an entree too. I’ve tried to get into Dough Zone dumplings a few times but they are usually lined up unless you get there very early early. We ended up at Nohm Sushi Bar nearby for a quick meal this time and the sushi rolls were tasty and it was an easy meal. (It closes at 7pm and I think we got there around 6:15pm) Nana’s Green tea might also be a pretty good option.
After Seattle, Where does Life of Pi head next?
Life of Pi is a touring Broadway play and heads to California after Seattle to Los Angeles and Costa Mesa and then keeps on going around the country until it gets to Fort Lauderdale in October this year. You can find the rest of the tour stops in this schedule.
Have you read the book Life of Pi? And do you like when novels get turned into plays or movies too?
PS. this was the play I was most excited to see this Broadway in Seattle season and I’m really glad we went. Also, the new 2025/2026 schedule has recently been released if you’re curious about what will be coming to our theatre in the next year too!
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)
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