See it if You want to see a beautiful, imaginative piece of theater celebrating the optimistic spirit
Don't see it if You have no imagination. Read more
See it if you want to laugh and hear great violin playing. Story is very funny. The actors were great.
Don't see it if I see not reason not to see this. Read more
See it if you'd like a fun chamber musical with hi-tech production design and music-making
Don't see it if you prefer your musicals dark and serious Read more
See it if to be gobsmacked by an impossible situation suggested by impossible events, performed by uber talented musician performers is 2 your liking
Don't see it if you have never willingly suspended your disbelief, require rules for your theatre going, can never be surprised, or lack empathy for others Read more
See it if Charming little two hander musical. Vigoda is clearly a talent. McCollum is hysterical as Ernie and a slew of men. Good time was had by all.
Don't see it if Pricey for a two person ninety minute show. Low value. You need a large imagination. Read more
See it if You want two virtuoso performances in a play that is ingenious and absorbing. Great music, great acting/singing. Exceptionally well done!!
Don't see it if If you don't like originality - this is a show that expounds on a common theme in the most uncommon way.
See it if You want to experience fantasy & brilliance on stage, 2 performers with incredible skills, a show with more than meets the eyes. Quirky
Don't see it if Don't like fantasy, romance, sea chantties, lack imagination or don't like rock or multi media shows. Read more
See it if you want a fast paced, original musical that cleverly uses multi-media to enhance a unique story. Thoroughly fun and entertaining.
Don't see it if you don't like imaginative musicals that suspend reality to create a show that is innovative and enthralling.
"A lot of silliness but it’s funny and clever storytelling...We follow Shackleton and Kat through Antarctica, hear some new-age music, see some terrific technology and witness some of the best performances I’ve seen in a long time. McCollum, with a twinkle and grin, blessed with a rich voice and good acting chops, should go on to be theater’s next new leading man while Vigoda is a genius electric violinist and actor. Thanks to director Lisa Peterson, the show vibrates and resonates."
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"This charming, kooky, playful, tuneful, toe-tapping original musical probably shouldn’t work as well as it does. Much of the credit goes to the two performers, Wade McCollum and Valerie Vigoda, who is also the lyricist and plays a mean electric violin...The sentimental, self-help aspects of 'Ernest Shackleton Loves Me' don’t get in the way of what is so enjoyable about the show. The most delightful aspect of 'Ernest Shackleton Loves Me' are the lively musical numbers."
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“This unusual 90-minute work blends music, comedy, history, and contemporary social angst in a multimedia smoothie I promise won't give you brain freeze…It takes a little time to warm you up…Once you're on board, though, director Lisa Peterson creatively steers you through a string of wild adventures, including climbing a mountain…I was bowled over by the bearded McCollum, a tall, athletic, deep-voiced actor, who not only sings extremely well but displays chameleonic virtuosity.”
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"The engaging and original comic musical is definitely a respite from some of the recent substandard adaptations of popular films and books littering the theatrical landscape...DiPietro’s book is quite witty, with a wonderful pro-feminist message, the score by Vigoda and Milburn is smart and tuneful...And yet, the show’s 90 minutes just don’t fly by as fast as might be expected...The show’s premise is still a bit of thin ice, no matter how well the super-talented McCollum and skate on it!"
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"A production that has Peterson maximizing its many strengths. The musical is so original that many spectators might sit through it with jaws dropped. That’s when they’re not cheering its high entertainment quotient...To give the impression Kat’s satisfied with having had the imagined Shackleton affair is pushing whimsy too far. That doesn’t do it for a woman with this amount of indomitable spirit...'Ernest Shackleton Loves Me' still comes across as absolutely original. It’s a welcome rarity."
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"Quirky, contemporary, romantic and utterly adorable. This new musical with an addictive score is sure to lure audiences into this magical fantasy and become an instant cult hit...History, adventure and songs will have you movin' and groovin' in your chair, exhilarating your senses...Joe DiPietro’s book is charming, but it is Lisa Peterson’s direction that sets this show a-sailing...Don’t let this ocean voyaging yarn pass you by."
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"As someone who was deeply moved by the story of Shackleton and the brave crew of the Endurance, I was distressed to see this story misappropriated for so frivolous a purpose. To project film clips and stills from their expedition to prop up this silly show is almost a desecration. Perhaps a younger audience unfamiliar with his story and with a taste for electronic music will find the show more congenial. I found it a pointless waste of time."
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"Though DiPietro’s Book periodically suffers from trying too hard to be funny, most writing knits in well...Music and lyrics are of wildly different quality...Actors Vigoda and McCollum are both fine musicians and strong vocalists...Director Lisa Peterson skillfully leads us from Brooklyn to the Antarctic and back...Music is nicely integrated. Danger is adeptly conjured...'Ernest Shackleton Loves Me' sometimes challenges patience, but taking the ride is not without rewards."
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