Ernest Shackleton Loves Me Review-Mann on the Aisle

Okay, so imagine walking into a show knowing absolutely nothing about it — and walking out like, “wait… that was actually kind of amazing.” That’s exactly the vibe with Ernest Shackleton Loves Me over at Coachella Valley Repertory.

The story itself is already a little wild — you’ve got Kat, a stressed-out single mom who’s barely holding it together, posting a desperate dating video… and somehow connecting with Ernest Shackleton. Yes, the Antarctic explorer. From the early 1900s. From there, it turns into this back-and-forth between her chaotic real life and his survival story, all wrapped up in music, imagination, and honestly, a lot of “what is happening right now?” — but in a good way.

What really makes this show pop is how it’s done. It’s just two actors, but it feels way bigger. Sarah Manton as Kat is doing everything — acting, singing, playing an electronic violin, looping sounds live — and you’re watching it all happen in real time. It’s super cool, kind of edgy, and keeps you locked in. Matt Miles pulls double duty too, switching between her goofy boyfriend and Shackleton, and the chemistry between them totally works.

Visually, the show leans hard into tech — big projections, a digital screen, effects that spill into the whole space — and it actually feels fresh, not gimmicky. You can tell the creative team really leaned into making this feel different from your typical musical.

Now, not everything hits perfectly — some of the songs blur together a bit in the middle, and yeah, you can hear the strain in a note here or there. But honestly? That’s nitpicking. The energy, the creativity, and the uniqueness of it all carry the show.

Bottom line — if you like something a little weird, a little heartfelt, and definitely not your typical musical, this is worth checking out. And honestly, it’s a great reminder: sometimes the best shows are the ones you take a chance on.