Written by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Max Webster, the Broadway rendition of the Olivier Award-winning play will open at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.
In a statement, Chakrabarti describes her adaptation process as “daunting, creatively exciting and always collaborative.”
“To be able to tell this story the way I imagined it, to create the world using my references and viewpoint has been an extraordinary gift. And to see it resonate with young and old audience members alike has been humbling,” the playwright continued in a statement. “It is a beautiful, visceral, magical show, a story of survival which all of us can fundamentally relate to after the effects of the pandemic. I am beyond thrilled that we will bring this play to Broadway.
The play will be produced by Simon Friend, Daryl Roth, Hal Luftig, Mark Gordon and Playing Field. Its creative team includes puppet and movement direction by Finn Caldwell, puppet design by Caldwell and Nick Barnes and video design by Andrzej Goulding. Set and costume design are by Tim Hatley, with lighting design by Lutkin and sound design by Carolyn Downing. The show’s original music is from Andrew T. Mackay with dramaturgy by Jack Bradley.
“Having started work seven years ago to bring Yann Martel’s much-loved story to the stage, for it to live on Broadway is enormously gratifying,” producer Friend said in a statement. “ has been so joyously received by audiences young and old in the U.K., which is testament to the skill of the large team of artists delivering a show which entertains, and makes you think and feel in equal measure.”