’42 Balloons’ Soars To Chicago: The Daring True Story Of A Lawn Chair Flight Comes To US After Acclaimed UK Run

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will begin performances of the U.S. premiere of “42 Balloons” on Saturday, May 24, with a press opening scheduled for June 10.

The original musical, featuring a high-flying premise and an 80s pop-inspired score, tells the incredible true story of truck driver Larry Walters, who in 1982 defied the Federal Aviation Administration to ascend into the sky above Los Angeles in a lawn chair tied to 42 weather balloons.

The show arrives in Chicago following an acclaimed U.K. run at The Lowry, where it earned praise from critics and audiences alike, including a five-star review from The Times that described it as “whip-smart, funny, and unexpectedly but exceptionally touching.”

Written by Jack Godfrey and directed by Ellie Coote, “42 Balloons” will run through June 29 in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The musical is produced by Kevin McCollum (known for “Rent,” “SIX,” and “Oh, Mary!”), Andy and Wendy Barnes (“SIX”), and Sonia Friedman Productions (“Merrily We Roll Along,” “SIX”).

The production stars Charlie McCullagh and Evelyn Hoskins, reprising their roles as Larry Walters and Carol Van Deusen from the U.K. production. McCullaghs previous credits include “Bonnie & Clyde” in the West End and the “Jesus Christ Superstar” 50th anniversary tour, while Hoskins is known for “Waitress,” “Something Rotten!,” and “Spring Awakening.”

They lead an ensemble cast featuring Daniel Assetta, Kailin Brown, Devin Cortez, Cameron Anika Hill, Lisa Howard, Josh Hoon Lee, Minju Michelle Lee, Austin Nelson Jr., Morgan Schoenecker, and Akron Watson. Understudies include Julia Bain, Lacey Jack, Joshua Messmore, and Luke Nowakowski.

“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,” Godfrey said in a statement. “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.”