It’s 1982 and Larry Walters approaches his lawn chair. On either side are bags and containers full of various items like Coca Cola and Miller Lite – all meant to add various levels of weight to the contraption. His girlfriend, Carol, gives him a final embrace before he takes his seat. The song “Countdown” begins, and the projections behind Larry start to shift. We see the measurements change as he goes up and up – 1,000 ft. 2,000ft. 3,000ft. 4,000 ft. Larry starts to fly, and all the ensemble surrounding him can do is look up.
42 Balloons is about a lot of things. There is love. Passion. Heartbreak. At the root, this is a story about dreams. How far are we willing to go for our dreams, and at what cost?
Written by Jack Godfrey, 42 Balloons follows Larry Walters (Charlie McCullagh) – a man with a dream to fly in 1982. With the help of his girlfriend, Carol (Evelyn Hoskins), he set out to complete an experiment – what would happen if he attached 42 balloons to a lawn chair and let it soar 16,000 feet above LA? He may have succeeded, but from the moment he lands, he and Carol would find that nothing following quite goes according to plan.
With orchestration and musical supervision by Joe Beighton, the show features a score of 1980s inspired hits that are sure to get stuck in your head for days – as one wants with any musical on the rise. Titles include “Up in the Air,” “Carol’s Soliloquy,” “The Kid and the Chair,” and “Helium.” Director Ellie Coote collaborates with Choreographer Alexandrea Sarmiento to utilize the ensemble throughout – including to help signify time passing. Sarmiento’s work in particular shines, with choreography that highlights the range of skillsets in this group of performers.
You might find that much of the heart of the story is found in the relationship between Larry and Carol – particularly as we see her fight so hard to help his dream come to fruition, even though she does not necessarily agree with it. “Something as Crazy as This” comes towards the end of Act 1. The two have somehow made this happen – they secured the funds and were able to gather all the necessary materials down to the 42 balloons. McCullagh and Hoskins astound with their vocal talents – and that alone is worth the ticket. However, more than that, you might find that the chemistry between the two actors adds a helpful layer of empathy to the story. Even if you find yourself wondering why the two go to such lengths to help this particular dream come true, it’s easy to see that the love they share is reason enough to keep things moving.
Godfrey’s piece is inspired by a true story – from the dream at the center to the challenges that followed. As you watch the events unfold, you might find yourself siding with some of the critics that pop up along the way. Many found this dream of flight to be crazy and even mocked Larry following the event. The writing does not hold back – and I personally found this journey of the storytelling to be one of the most compelling elements of the experience. Godfrey invites audiences to consider: Why are there are some dreams we accept more than others? What makes a dream “worth it”, and who gets to dictate that? Perhaps in order to earn the heartwarming payoff at the end of this musical, we as audience members have to go on a similar journey as the ensemble surrounding Larry asking themselves the same questions.
Full of heart and astounding talent, 42 Balloons is must-see. I personally am excited to see where this musical goes next.
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42 Balloons runs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater through June 29, 2025. See the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website for more information on tickets.
