The Fourth Walsh

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the North American premiere of 42 BALLOONS.

Did you know in 1982 a truck driver named Larry Walters ascended 16,000 feet in a lawn chair tied to 42 balloons?

Jack Godfrey (book, music, lyrics) tells the true story of a man chasing his fantastical dream. Larry wanted to be a pilot in the Viet Nam war. His visual impairment forced him into food service. Over the next decade, his desire turned to obsession. He designed a makeshift contraption utilizing weather balloons and a BB gun landing strategy. His passion to fly became singularly-focused. His relentless fervor eventually enticed his girlfriend, his girlfriend’s mom, an old army buddy and a band of misfits to make the impossible possible. Godfrey’s quirky and UPLIFTING musical is powered by a collective belief that the improbable does happen.

42 BALLOONS has all the good feels of the animated “UP” movie except its a lawn chair not a house. Oh and it’s a story about real people! Godfrey handles Larry’s life with thoughtful care and an upbeat 80s score. In Act 1, he balances the unlikely aspiration between high-spirited gumption, supportive resignation and maternal sensibility. In the leads, an earnest Charles McCullagh (Larry) and a fierce Evelyn Hoskins (Carol) have a ‘meet cute’ when he thinks she works for NASA. For the next decade, a wistful McCullagh yearns to defy gravity in “Up in the Air.” And a practical Hoskins keeps him grounded… until she doesn’t and accepts his death-defying need to accomplish the unthinkable in her searing “Carol’s Soliloquy.” Later, Lisa Howard (Carol’s mom) sings a powerful  “Somebody’s Story” as a cautionary tale of loving someone. In Act 2, Godfrey deals with the launch, unexpected complications and a bittersweet aftermath.

Godfrey teams up with Director Ellie Coote to mount this aerial musical tribute to a leap of faith! Under their protective guidance, the focus remains on dream chasing and never dissolves into an outlandish lampoon. Coote adeptly orchestrates a charming thriller. Scenic Designer Milla Clarke fashions a concave backdrop. The inner shell wall projects clever and poignant imagery (Video Designer and Content Creator Andrzej Goulding) to aid the storytelling. Equations appear during a math montage. Tension rise as altitudes scroll higher. Meanwhile, Choreographer Alexzandra Sarmiento fills the space with the  dynamic ensemble -dressed in 80s Flashback attire (Costume designer Natalie Pryce)- keeping it upbeat and fun! The entire cast and crew launch a people-pleaser!   

42 BALLOONS is an astonishing feat from Godfrey’s conception to Coote’s execution. It engages as a beacon of hope in these difficult times. Larry wanted to achieve his dream. And Carol decided to help him do it. As unbelievable as 42 BALLOONS sounds, it did happen. And as the ensemble repeatedly and hilariously sings, ‘you can look it up after the show.’

Running Time: Two hours and twenty minutes includes an intermission.

At Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier

Book, Music and Lyrics by Jack Godfrey

Directed by Ellie Coote

Orchestration and Musical Supervision by Joe Beighton

Performances are:

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7 PM

Saturdays, Sundays at 2 PM

Thru June 29

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Kyle Flubacker

For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago