Coachella Valley Repertory presents the West Coast premiere of the inventive and endearing Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, running April 22–May 10. This imaginative musical romance charms audiences with its original score, clever storytelling, and delightful wit. Music is by Brendan Milburn with lyrics by his wife and creative partner, Valarie Vigoda, and the book is by Joe DiPietro (Nice Work If You Can Get It at CVRep).
In this clever adventure, Kat is a sleep-deprived single mom in the 21st century who makes her living as a video game music composer. One unexpected day, she receives a message on her cellphone from Ernest Shackleton, the famed early-1900s polar explorer, who finds himself stranded on an iceberg. Through a crossed connection that defies time, Shackleton becomes captivated by Kat’s music and begins sharing the story of his legendary expedition— an extraordinary journey that ends up changing both of their lives in surprising and meaningful ways.
Ernest Shackleton Loves Me won the 2017 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical and received two Lucille Lortel Award nominations for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Projection Design. The production will be directed by Craig Wells (The Fantasticks: A Love Story Reimagined, Hand to God at CVRep) with music direction by Stephen Hulsey (Guys & Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dear Evan Hansen, The Light in the Piazza, and more).
It promises to be a charming and memorable way to close CVRep’s 2025–2026 season.
Visit www.cvrep.org or call (760) 296-2966 for tickets and more information.
