|
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the cast of the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. 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 is 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 which proclaimed the show as "whip-smart, funny, and unexpectedly but exceptionally touching." The musical features a book, music, and lyrics by Jack Godfrey, direction by Ellie Coote, and will run May 24–June 29, 2025, in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Charlie McCullagh and Evelyn Hoskins star as Larry Walters and Carol Van Deusen, reprising their roles from the acclaimed UK run last year. They lead an ensemble cast that also includes Daniel Assetta, Kailin Brown, Devin Cortez, Cameron Anika Hill, Josh Hoon Lee, Minju Michelle Lee, Austin Nelson Jr., Morgan Schoenecker, Lucia Spina, and Akron Watson. Understudies include Julia Bain, Lacey Jack, Joshua Messmore, and Luke Nowakowski.
Inspired by an unbelievable true story, 42 Balloons is a soaringly original musical from the award-winning producers of SIX. On July 2, 1982, truck driver Larry Walters defied the odds (and FAA airspace regulations) to achieve his lifelong dream of flying. In a lawn chair attached to 42 weather balloons, Larry—supported by his girlfriend and a community of unlikely heroes—ascended 16,000 feet into the blue sky above LA, and from the moment he landed, their lives would never be the same. Featuring an irresistible '80s pop-inspired score, 42 Balloons is a funny, moving, and thrillingly staged new musical that asks: How far would you go for your dream... and how far would you be willing to fly?
Charlie McCullagh stars as Larry Walters, a role he originated last year at The Lowry. His credits also include the original West End cast of Bonnie & Clyde and the 50th anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, and he recently appeared in Apple TV's Prime Target. Evelyn Hoskins plays Larry's partner, Carol Van Deusen. Her West End credits include Dawn in Waitress, Something Rotten! and Spring Awakening. She has also appeared in Gypsy (Mill at Sonning), Assassins (Nottingham Playhouse/Watermill Theatre), and the US tour of Peter Pan, among many other credits.
The ensemble cast also features Daniel Assetta (& Juliet on Broadway, New York City Center Encores! production of The Light in the Piazza), Kailin Brown (Velma Kelly, Chicago National Tour), Devin Cortez (Empire and Americano! at New World Stages, Hair at Two River Theater), Cameron Anika Hill (Elf and Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway, First National Tours of Oklahoma! and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), Josh Hoon Lee (RENT at The MUNY, Pippin at Center of Creative Arts St. Louis), Minju Michelle Lee (Newsies at The REV Theatre Company), Austin Nelson Jr. (The Little Mermaid at Drury Lane Theatre, 1776 at Marriott Theatre), Morgan Schoenecker (Mary Poppins at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Legally Blonde at Music Theatre Works), Lucia Spina (Into The Woods, Kinky Boots, South Pacific, and more on Broadway), and Akron Watson (The Color Purple on Broadway, The Fortress of Solitude at The Public Theater). Understudies include Julia Bain, Lacey Jack, Joshua Messmore, and Luke Nowakowski.
"It's such a pleasure to be producing this truly life-affirming and original piece of musical theater at CST," shared Chicago Shakespeare's artistic director Edward Hall. "A story full of hope, an uplifting and infectious score, and a world shot through with '80s color. We're thrilled to be partnering with Kevin, Andy, Wendy, and Sonia to celebrate Larry Walters—one of America's greatest dreamers."
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."
"I instantly connected with Larry and his desire to fly beyond his own limitations," shared producer Kevin McCollum. "One of my favorite aspects of being a producer is being able to help shepherd work by new voices, and I was inspired by Jack Godfrey's ability to capture the specificity of this real-life story and transform it into a universal journey that soars to the heavens."
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 is currently nominated for the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical.
Director and dramaturg Ellie Coote is the co-founder of Chalk Musical Theatre Dramaturgy. Additional credits include The Way Way Deep (Underbelly, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Mario: A Super Musical (The Cockpit, Union Theatre). Workshop credits include Train On Fire (MT Fest), Bluff (Pint Of Wine), and Busk (Dare Festival). Coote is currently writing This Is A Love Story with Jack Godfrey (Vicky Graham Productions), and adapting a translation of Korean musical Red Book (IM Culture).
The production features orchestrations, arrangements, and musical supervision by Joe Beighton (SIX), choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento (How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying), scenic design by Milla Clarke (Mates in Chelsea), costume design by Natalie Pryce (VANYA), video design by Tony and Olivier Award winner Andrzej Goulding (Life of Pi), lighting design by Tony and Olivier Award nominee Bruno Poet (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical), and sound design by Grammy and Tony Award nominee Paul Gatehouse (SIX). The team also includes Patrick B. Philips (Music Director), Chels Morgan (Intimacy Director), Kate DeVore (Dialect Coach), Patrick Goodwin, CSA | The Telsey Office (New York Casting), Bob Mason (Chicago Casting), Billie Aken-Tyers (Associate Director), Camden Gonzales (Associate Choreographer), Tony DiBernardo (Associate Scenic Designer), Joseph Haggerty (Associate Sound Designer), Brendan Marble (Assistant Lighting Designer), Kailey Rockwell (Assistant Music Director), Jinni Pike (Production Stage Manager), Emma Franklin (Assistant Stage Manager), and Tuesday Thacker (Production Assistant).
42 Balloons is produced by special arrangement with Kevin McCollum, Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes, and Sonia Friedman Productions in association with Debbie Hicks, Sam Levy, KLIVE Entertainment Corp., Kenny Wax, and The Lowry.
More information at chicagoshakes.com/42balloons or on social media at @chicagoshakes.
42 Balloons
By Jack Godfrey
Directed by Ellie Coote
May 24 – June 29, 2025
The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
PERFORMANCE LISTING
- Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. (except May 27 and June 3)
- Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
- Fridays at 7:00 p.m. (except June 6)
- Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
Chicago Shakespeare strives to make its facility and performances accessible to all patrons. Accessible seating, assistive listening devices, large-print and Braille programs, and sensory tools are available at every performance. Enhanced performances include:
- ASL interpreted performance – Friday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m.
All dialogue and lyrics are translated into American Sign Language by two certified interpreters.
- Audio-described performance – Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m.
A program that provides spoken narration of a play's key visual elements for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Touch Tours provide patrons the opportunity to experience, firsthand, a production's design elements.
- Open captioned performance – Wednesday, June 25 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
A text display of the words and sounds heard during a play, synced live with the action onstage.
|
