42 BALLOONS releases studio cast EP
Award winning producers Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes from Global Musicals (SIX, The Choir of Man, Pieces of String, Lift) and Kevin McCollum from Alchemation (Mrs Doubtfire, SIX, Rent, Avenue Q) are delighted to announce the release of the 42 Balloons Studio Cast EP, now available to stream and download here. via Absolute Records.
Grammy-nominated duo Sam Featherstone and Joe Beighton (the orchestrator, arranger and music supervisor on the show) along with the author Jack Godfrey have produced the 80’s infused tracks which were recorded in Miloco Studios, and feature cast members Evelyn Hoskins, Charlie McCullagh, Gillian Hardie, Lejaun Sheppard, Simon Anthony, Jordan Broatch, Maddison Bulleyment, Athena Collins, Morgan Gregory, Luke Latchman, Laura Dawn Pyatt, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, and Natasha Wilde.
The full cast and crew – currently in rehearsals - came together on Monday 18 March for a special ‘first listen’ party and silent disco at Maggie's Club – an eighties themed London bar – highlights here.
Tracklist
1. Prologue
2. Big Balloon
3. Somebody’s Story
4. 1982
5. Something As Crazy As This
6. 42 Balloons And A Lawn Chair
7. Lawn Chair Larry
8. Helium (which was released early on 8 March, following an exclusive social media competition where the show’s fans voted for which track to be released first!)
This comes as the premiere production the musical 42 Balloons will be flying into The Lowry, Salford from 18 April – 19 May 2024. Due to high demand, tickets for previews are now limited, with best availability from 25 April onwards.
Sam Featherstone said, “Working on these tracks has been so much fun: 80s vibes combined with Jack’s catchy songwriting is a perfect match! These 8 songs are a gorgeous snapshot of 42 Balloons. Catchy, epic and a lot of fun to work on. Listen now and then go book tickets to see the show!”
2nd of July 1982. Using a lawn chair and approximately 42 helium-filled weather balloons, truck driver Larry Walters defied all the odds (and FAA airspace regulations!) to make his lifelong dream a reality and fly sixteen thousand feet above Los Angeles. No, seriously. In a chair.
42 Balloons is an uplifting musical inspired by the highly improbable true story of how Larry, and his partner Carol Van Deusen, convinced their friends and family to help Larry achieve his dream of flying. Featuring an irresistible, 80s pop-inspired score, 42 Balloons questions how far you would go to make your dreams come true. Is the sky actually the limit, and what happens if it doesn’t all go to plan?
The cast for the production at the Lowry will be Charlie McCullagh (Bonnie & Clyde, Dr.Zhivago) and Evelyn Hoskins (Waitress, Gypsy, Spring Awakening) reprising their roles as Larry and Carol from the 2022 staged concert performances in the West End, alongside be Gillian Hardie (Kinky Boots, Blood Brothers, Bag Girls The Musical) as Carol’s Mom and Lejaun Sheppard (The Book of Mormon, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Ron. The rest of the company will comprise Simon Anthony (Guys & Dolls, White Christmas), Jordan Broatch (You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Anyone Can Whistle), Maddison Bulleyment (SIX, The Bridges of Madison County), Athena Collins (SIX, Kin The Musical), Morgan Gregory (Elf, Newsies), Matt Jones (Pretty Woman, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Luke Latchman (Sunset Boulevard, Millennials), Rebekah Lowings (My Fair Lady, Ghost The Musical), Jamie Pritchard (Les Misérables), Laura Dawn Pyatt (SIX), Tinovimbanashe Sibanda (Guys & Dolls, Moulin Rouge!) and Natasha Wilde (2023 graduate).
42 Balloons has book, music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey whose other works include This is a Love Story (Dundee Rep) and Babies (Lyric).
For more informaton, click here