Amanda N. Gunther, Theatre Bloom

“Remarkably felicitous in his overall theatrical engaging practices, Taha Mandviwala as the titular character is nothing short of brilliant in the role. With a childlike naiveté…Mandviwala hooks the audience straight away, preparing them to embark on his extraordinarily unbelievable journey. Mandviwala is physically captivating, whether he’s springing spryly about on the boat, or drifting (in carry-lifts by fellow performers on stage) through the ocean. Even when he’s physically still, which isn’t very often in this production, there’s a bombastic and frenetic pulsation of energy vibrating ferociously inside of him, yearning to burst out into his limbs and move him. Mandviwala delivers emotionally harrowing and brutally gutting moments of storytelling that deliver blow after blow of emotional unrest. He is Pi so much so that the tears, the gasps, the laughs, the pauses of contemplation arrive naturally from the audience as they hang on his every word, movement, and expression. Even when he tells the tale, as Mr. Okamoto puts it— “a different story, one without animals”— there is something so strikingly beautiful about this darkly, horrific tale, that you’re entranced beyond compare. Mandviwala is nothing short of amazing as Pi and delivers each moment on stage as if it were a captivating solo narrative all its own.”

Sheri Gross, Cleveland Jewish News

“At the heart of the production is Mandviwala’s unforgettable performance of Pi Patel, whose unyielding spirit is portrayed with depth and nuance. Balancing youthful wonder with profound introspection, Pi becomes our guide through a story that is at the same time harrowing and uplifting.”

Chris Draghi, The Rogers Revue

“Pi himself is played by actor Taha Mandviwala, and it’s no surprise he’s also an athlete and health coach because the energy this man needed to portray the role is on another level. Onstage for nearly the entire performance, Pi’s optimism, resilience, and vulnerability translate exceptionally well in a performance that demands both physical and emotional stamina, and Mandviwala delivers on every level.”

“The remarkable Taha Mandviwala carries the show. As nimble as an acrobat, he leaps and bounds across the stage with youthful energy. His comic timing, deadpan delivery, radiant smile, and palpable fear make him a compelling protagonist. His despair is so tangible it’s almost exhausting to watch, but you can’t look away.”