From the moment the lights dimmed at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, “Life of Pi” transported the audience into a world that felt both mythical and yet also deeply human. Adapted from Yann Martel’s novel, the Broadway production currently on tour seamlessly blended breathtaking visual interactive scenes, masterful realistic puppetry, and a philosophical core that left viewers contemplating long after the curtain fell. The “Life of Pi” is not just a story of survival, it is a meditation on belief, choice, and the way we as a society shape our own narratives to fit a norm.

The story of “Life of Pi” follows Pi Patel(Taha Mandviwala), a boy from a zoo-owning family in India who, troubled by the political chaos in Indian politics at the time, decides to travel by sea to Canada for a new life. Pi is stranded at sea after a shipwreck, accompanied by a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. But the play does not simply recount a tragic survival story; it challenges the audience to question the truth, perception, belief in god and the role of storytelling in processing trauma. The production masterfully transitions between Pi’s present-day hospital room, where he recounts his harrowing experience, and on the raft in the vast ocean where his journey unfolds.

Visually, “Life of Pi” was an incredible experience. The stage design transformed effortlessly, using a single bed as a centerpiece that evolves from Pi’s home in India to the floating raft he survives on, offering metaphorical explanations as well. Warm, golden ombre in the market scenes evoked nostalgia and comfort, starkly contrasting with the stormy blues and grays that heighten the desperation of being lost at sea. The special effects, particularly the rain and lightning completely captured the audience’s attention making them feel the helplessness and chaos Pi experiences. The puppetry of the animals is one of the show’s greatest and unique strengths. All the animals, including the Bengal tiger, moved with astonishing realism with actors manipulating their bodies in parts so you could almost see the muscles and breath of the animal when moving. The great attention to detail makes the tiger’s presence both mesmerizing and terrifying, reinforcing the fragile relationship between man and beast explored through the play.

At the heart of it all is Tala Mandviwala, whose portrayal as the lead of Pi is nothing short of extraordinary. Mandviwala leads the play with both emotional depth in his acting and remarkable athleticism, navigating Pi’s struggles and psychological turmoil seamlessly. His movements, whether in battle or training the tiger add a raw, visceral quality to Pi’s survival making it all more human. He embodies the essence of the story, making the audience feel every moment of Pi’s desperation, wonder, and spiritual reckoning.

Beyond its stunning visual elements, the play’s greatest strength is keeping the philosophical depth of the original story. Pi is a character who refuses to be bound by a single belief embracing Hinduism, Christianity and Islam all at once. His famous lines, “Why can’t I believe them all?” and “I just want to love God” highlight the broader theme of the play: why must we choose one story, one truth? The play suggests that stories, like religion, help us make sense of suffering, and in the end, it’s not the “truth” that matters, but the meaning we extract from it. This idea is represented in the play’s final moments where Pi presents two versions of his story, one with animals and one with people. The questioners of Pi choose the animal story, to which Pi responds, “And so it goes with God.” It is a powerful reflection of faith and human nature and how we prefer the story that offers beauty over the one that forces us to confront unbearable truths committed by our society.

The “Life of Pi” was an emotional and intellectual journey. through innovative stagecraft, gripping performances, and profound themes, the play makes the audience consider the stories they choose to believe. Whether one views it as an epic survival, a religious allegory or an exploration of trauma, it’s indisputable that “Life of Pi” leaves a lasting impression extending beyond the curtains of the stage.