By Dee Jae Cox
Coachella Valley Repertory, has long been known for their smart, engaging and thought-provoking productions. Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, is no exception to that trend. Book by Joe DiPietro, Music by Brendan Milburn and Lyrics by Valerie Vigoda, Orchestration and additional music by Ryan O’Connell. Earnest Shackleton Loves Me was named the “Best New Musical,” by the Off-Broadway Alliance when it opened at the Tony Kiser Theatre in 2017.
Ernest Shackleton, tells the story of Kat, a musician and a sleep deprived new mom whose ‘baby daddy,’ is off on his own adventure. At the onset, Kat is fired from her music writing gig, her apartment has no heat, and she hasn’t slept in 36 hours due to a finicky baby. In a desperate measure and searching for human connection, she posts a video on a dating site. Through time, space or perhaps hallucination, she is contacted by the famous early twentieth century Antarctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton.
Shackleton, who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, his most famous being the 1914-1916 “Endurance Expedition,” when he kept is entire crew of 28 men alive for almost two years, after their ship, the ‘Endurance,’ was crushed by the massive Antarctic ice.
Upon the plays’ opening it is not obvious as to what direction this story will take. A broke, unemployed and sleep deprived woman who, in desperation, is trying to hook up on a bottom of the barrel dating site, does not set the scenario for a hopeful outcome. But as soon as Ernest, crosses wires with Kat’s dating profile from across the miles and years, this 2-hander play jumps into a hopeful, optimistic and creative romp through time and space. When Kat is pulled along on the historic ‘Endurance,’ mission and is infused with Earnest’s optimism and grit, her life seems to take on a new invigorating direction. Using music and imagination to travel between present day and the frigid Antarctic of the early 1900’s, it all comes together in a zany but heartfelt conclusion.
British actress Sarah Manton, who has performed on Broadway, as well as London’s West End, portrays Kat, with all of the heart, determination, desperation and fortitude that one could want to find in a woman who, though finding herself at the mid-point of a disastrous life and career, discovers hope and inspiration in a new (or imagined) love.
Kat, is every woman who has been left holding the short end of the stick, but refuses to give up. Manton personifies the disillusionment, as well as the inspiration, with great talent and skill.
Matt Miles, a Chicago based actor and three-time Emmy award winner, is Earnest Shackleton. Miles, portrays this adventurous explorer with the heart and legendary optimism that melts the obstacles and adversity that surrounds Kat. Miles also pulls double duty in a performance of Kat’s baby daddy, mastering two very diverse characters.
Craig Wells seamlessly directs this production beautifully, using space and props to travel between the dual timelines.
Steven Hulsey, CV Rep’s resident Musical Director, gave life and energy to a score that was not exceptionally memorable, but served its purpose of bridging scenes and expressing some of the emotional depth between the characters.
Jimmy Cuomo, is without doubt one of the top Set-Designers in the Coachella Valley. The show’s set was not only ascetically attractive, but it lent substance and realism to a story that was sometimes fantastical.
Moira Wilke’s lighting and technical design was exciting and creative and often appeared to be a supporting character in the production.
Whether a glitch in the space-time continuum or a sleep deprived mother’s induced hallucinogenic cry for help, Earnest Shackelton Loves Me, is a fun, hopeful and very optimistic exploration of the human condition.
Running through May 10th at the Coachella Valley Repertory located at:
68510 East Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA
Phone – (760) 296-2966, ext. 101
Photography by Lani Garfield
Dee Jae Cox
is a Playwright, Director and Producer.
And Co-Founder of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project.
