Coachella Valley Repertory Presents The West Coast Premiere Of ERNEST SHACKELTON LOVES ME
Musical Romance Runs April 22-May 10 At CVREP
COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY presents the WEST COAST PREMIERE of one of the most inventive and stylish shows to come along in years: ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME, April 22-May 10. It’s an imaginative musical romance that charms audiences with its original score and delightful wit. It won the 2017 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical and was nominated for two Lortel Awards: Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Projection Design. Brendan Milburn composed the music with lyricist VALERIE “VAL” VIGODA. The tongue-in-cheek script is by Tony Award®-winner Joe DiPietro (CVRep’s Nice Work If You Can Get It). In this wildly inventive adventure, Kat, portrayed by Sarah Manton, is a sleep-deprived single mom who makes her living composing music for video games. Via a crossed connection on her cell phone, Kat is contacted across space and time by the famous early 20th century polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, portrayed by Matt Miles, while he is stranded with his crew on an Antarctic icefloe. Inspired by her music, he shares his epic journey with her and, together, they overcome their respective, and, in ways, timeless odds. ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME is being directed by Craig Wells (CVRep The Fantastiks: A Love Story Reimagined, Hand to God), and STEPHEN HULSEY (CVRep Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dear Evan Hansen, The Light In The Piazza, and others) is music director.
ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME won the 2017 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical and was nominated for two Lortel Awards: Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Projection Design. Craig Wells (CVRep The Fantastiks: A Love Story Reimagined, Hand to God) will direct and STEPHEN HULSEY (CVRep Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dear Evan Hansen, The Light In The Piazza, and others) will be music director. Set design is by Jimmy Cuomo, costumes by Barbara Matis, wig and makeup design are by Lynda Shaeps, prop design by Ryan Marquant, lighting design/technical direction by Moira Wilkie Whitaker, sound design by Joshua Adams. Stage manager is John M. Galo* and assistant stage manager is Melina Ginn.
Director Wells notes, "While doing research for this wonderful show, I am struck by two aspects of the Shackleton story, both historically and as important aspects to be discovered in the musical. Sir Ernest Shackleton was known for his unfaltering optimism, which is illustrated during the story and is something that Kat starts to develop in herself. As the crew of the Endurance prepared to leave their sinking ship, the crew was told to bring only belongings that were most necessary for their survival. One of the crew members brought a banjo with him on this expedition. Shackleton insisted that he must also bring his banjo. Shackleton was well aware that music would help with morale while stranded on the icefloe. In fact, sing-alongs were quite common both on and off the ship. He was definitely a man of insight and compassion. There is so much that I hope audiences will come to learn while watching Ernest Shackleton Loves Me."
COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY is a non-profit, professional regional theater with Small Professional Theatre (SPT) status with Actor's Equity. CVRep produces professional theater and educational programs that present thought provoking theatre of substance. It also offers professional level theatre training for young people and adults in its Conservatory, Writing Competition, and other meaningful, socially, and culturally relevant children's outreach programs. As a member of the Coachella Valley community, CVRep is committed to enriching the quality of life for all residents and to providing memorable experiences for the Valley’s many visitors.
Single tickets for ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME are $60-$110 and are on sale now. Performances are Wednesdays through Sundays, April 22-May 10. Sneak Preview performances are Wednesdays, April 22 at 2p.m. and 7 p.m. Free post-performance Talk Backs follow the Thursday, March 30 and April 7 performances. These are special behind-the-scenes discussions with the cast, director and creative team. The Friday, May 7 performance will be sign-language interpreted. Tickets can be purchased with ease online at www.cvrep.org, by calling (760) 296-2966, ext. 101, or at the CVRep box office located at 68510 East Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City. Box Office hours are Wednesday-Saturday, noon – 4 p.m. and one hour prior to performances. Student Rush seats are $30 and available 30 minutes prior to performances. Students must have current, valid student identification. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more; please contact the Box Office for details. To better serve audiences, patrons requesting accessibility assistance are encouraged to contact the Box Office at least 24 hours prior to their ticketed performance. Artists, show titles and dates are subject to change.
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