“Ernest Shackleton Loves Me”

[rating=5] I never heard of Ernest Shackleton! At least not until it was announced that Porchlight Music Theatre would have the honor and distinction of hosting the Chicago “premiere” of Joe DiPietro’s “Ernest Shackleton Loves Me”, a new musical (music by Brendan Milburn and lyrics by Val Vigoda with orchestrations and additional music by Ryan O’Connell ) on its stage at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. As we learn from this play, he was indeed a real person, a 20th-century polar explorer. If one listens closely to the words in the story and song, one can learn a great deal about this explorer, but thanks to “Google” you can learn more than you want to even know.

In this play, which could easily be called a “chamber musical” we begin our journey in the kitchen/studio of our heroine, home.” Kat” (a truly wonderful and quite memorable performance by Elisa Carlson). “Kat” is a new mother and her boyfriend is on the road working with a band. Her work, besides being a new mother, is to create music for video games. The show opens with her going online to create a personal page on a dating app. It appears that some responses show up (Andrew Mueller plays all the male characters) and then, the game changer, Ernest Shackleton, who is stranded on an iceberg in the Antarctic hears her music and feels he must connect with her in order to make it out of the position he is in and save his men.

From this point on, both of their worlds change as they share an epic journey and together they overcome the obstacles that nature has placed before them. There are around 16 musical numbers and these two performers are amazing to watch. Mueller is a banjo man and while Carlson is known to play 8 instruments, most of her playing is on an unusual violin/fiddle.. I have seen her in other roles, but must say, this one appears to be created with her talents in mind. She is adorable and plays well off Mueller, who has a tremendous vocal range and is quite the banjo player.

I will say that this is not a typical love story and while we are all loving what we see taking place, we must remember that we live in a world of computer technology and often what seems to be ,is not what it appears to be. I will not allow myself to spoil your experience, so I will tell you that this is a love story that will bring hope to all . The set (Scott Davis) is pretty cool. We are in a kitchen with a stove and refrigerator, an electronic musical setup with drums, and several trunks placed strategically on the stage. Later these trunks will be used to create another illusion where our two characters reach mountains, and then a ladder will become a mountain, and even though you know this is happening, you will believe your heart over your eyes. At least for a few magical moments!

Smoothly directed by Michael Unger with lighting (G. “Max” Maxin IV) and sound (Matthew R. Chase) this is 90 minutes (no intermission) of magic onstage. The projections by Smooch Medina were terrific, and the use of the refrigerator is something very special. Gregory Graham’s costumes were fun ( in particular Mueller’s) and the props by Heather Gervasi were perfect.

You will not leave the theater humming any of the music, except for perhaps “Tipperary”, but you will leave the theater with a tremendous smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. Who can ask for anything more from your entertainment. You will also want to let your friends know about the wonder of the show and the knowledge you gained from it.

“Ernest Shackleton Loves Me” will continue through June 1 at The Ruth Page Center For The Arts located at 1016 N. Dearborn with performances as follows:

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays       8 .00 p.m.

Saturdays   3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.   on 5/27 at 3:30 show- “open caption”

Sundays     2:00 p.m.

There will be a Wednesday matinee on 5/31 at 1:30 p.m. followed by a talk back and a 7:30 p.m. show as well

There will be a Thursday matinee on June 1st  at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $25 and are available by calling the box office at 773-777-9884 or visit www.PorchlightMusicTheatre.org

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Ernest Shackleton Loves Me”.