42 BALLOONS to make North American premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) has announced an exciting addition to its 2024/25 season today: the North American premiere of new musical 42 Balloons, running in The Yard from 24 May-29 June.
42 Balloons is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters’ daring lawn chair flight. The show is produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater after an acclaimed UK run at The Lowry where it garnered audience and critical acclaim. The musical features a book, music, and lyrics by Jack Godfrey, and direction by Ellie Coote.
With a lawn chair and approximately 42 helium-filled weather balloons, truck driver Larry Walters defied all odds (and FAA airspace regulations) to achieve his lifelong dream: soaring 16,000 feet above Los Angeles. No, seriously—in a chair. Inspired by the unbelievable true story of how Larry and his partner Carol Van Deusen rallied their friends and family to help them reach new heights, this heartwarming and hilarious new musical features an irresistible ‘80s-inspired pop score and asks: How far would you go to make your dreams take flight? Is the sky really the limit…and what happens when things don’t go as planned?
42 Balloons won The Stage Debut Award and is currently nominated for the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production.
Creator Jack Godfrey said: “I'm unbelievably excited that 42 Balloons will be coming to Chicago Shakespeare Theater this year, particularly with its brilliant recent history of supporting, developing, and producing new musicals! I'm thrilled that we will have this amazing opportunity to take our show about big balloons and big dreams to the land where Larry Walters actually flew 42 years ago. I cannot wait to share this musical and this story with American audiences very soon.”
The production features orchestrations, arrangements, and musical supervision by Joe Beighton, choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, set design by Milla Clarke, costumes by Natalie Pryce, video design by Andrzej Goulding, lighting by Bruno Poet, and sound by Paul Gatehouse.