New Musical 42 Balloons Announces Cast

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) has announced the cast of the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons, an ‘80s-inspired musical based on the true story of Larry Walters’ daring lawn chair flight. Featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Jack Godfrey and direction by Ellie Coote, 42 Balloons will run May 24-June 29 in the Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Charlie McCullagh (Bonnie & Clyde) and Evelyn Hoskins (Waitress) star as Larry Walters and Carol Van Deusen, reprising their roles from the UK run at the Lowry last year. They lead an ensemble cast that also includes Daniel Assetta (& Juliet), Kailin Brown (Chicago national tour), Devin Cortez, Cameron Anika Hill (Dear Evan Hansen), Josh Hoon Lee, Minju Michelle Lee, Austin Nelson Jr., Morgan Schoenecker, Lucia Spina (Into the Woods), and Akron Watson (The Color Purple). Understudies include Julia Bain, Lacey Jack, Joshua Messmore, and Luke Nowakowski.

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.

The production features 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 Bruno Poet, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, music direction by Patrick B. Philips, intimacy direction by Chels Morgan, and dialect coaching by Kate DeVore.