⭐ 42 BALLOONS – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE ANNOUNCED FOR CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER – MAY 2025 ⭐
The North American premiere of the new musical 42 BALLOONS has been announced as part of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s 2024/25 season.
From the multi-award-winning producers Kevin McCollum (Oh, Mary!, Rent), Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes (SIX), and Sonia Friedman Productions (Merrily We Roll Along), 42 BALLOONS is an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story of Larry Walters’ daring lawn chair flight.
The show will be produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater after an acclaimed UK run at The Lowry where it garnered audience and critical acclaim, including a five-star review from The Times.
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?
Creator Jack Godfrey is a musical theater composer, lyricist, and writer. His other projects include This Is A Love Story (music and lyrics, commissioned by Vicky Graham Productions, selected for BEAM2021, workshop at Birmingham Hippodrome in January 2024) and Babies (music and lyrics, winner of the BYMT New Music Theatre Award 2021, run at The Other Palace in 2024), which was nominated for the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical.
42 BALLOONS will be directed by Ellie Coote, featuring orchestrations, arrangements, and musical supervision by Joe Beighton, choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, scenic design by Milla Clarke, costume design by Natalie Pryce, video design by Tony and Olivier Award winner Andrzej Goulding, lighting design by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Bruno Poet, and sound design by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Paul Gatehouse.
42 BALLOONS features a book, music, and lyrics by Jack Godfrey.
42 BALLOONS will play The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, running from 24th May – 29th June 2025, with tickets on sale now.
Incredible! ! !
Thoughts? X x x
Tickets & more info – https://www.chicagoshakes.com/productions/42balloons/
