A MUSICAL COMEDY TO REMIND YOU WHY YOU FELL
IN LOVE WITH THE ARTFORM IN THE FIRST PLACE
“In 1982 a man called Larry put himself in a lawn chair, got some 42 balloons, and went to sixteen thousand feet up in the air. This actually happened. You can look it up,” creator Jack Godfrey cheekily writes in his take on this remarkable story. After a UK run, Chicago Shakespeare Theater is producing 42 Balloons, a big-hearted, whip-smart, ‘80s-inspired musical comedy. It’s an uplifting gem guaranteed to be a hit in The Windy City, which will no doubt blow this production to regions beyond, hopefully Broadway. Indeed, producers working with composer, lyricist, and writer Godfrey are Kevin McCollum (Oh, Mary!, Rent), Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes (Six), and Sonia Friedman Productions (Merrily We Roll Along).
Charlie McCullagh
Under Ellie Coote’s masterful direction, the production hums with an infectious energy. Coote maintains a delicate balance between the absurd and the profound, guiding her cast through moments of comedy and genuine pathos. It’s clear she and Godfrey have a healthy respect for the true story, particularly the real Larry and Carol. While the story is outlandish and sometimes laughable, the musical paints Larry and Carol has folk heroes.
Evelyn Hoskins as Carol Van Deusen and Charlie McCullagh as Larry Walters
Charlie McCullagh brings a winning combination of determination and vulnerability to Larry, an extremely endearing nerd. His singing voice is bright and agile, floating up into the clouds of those high notes. But it’s Evelyn Hoskins as Carol who provides the production’s emotional anchor. As Larry’s girlfriend who finds herself swept up in someone else’s dream, Hoskins delivers a performance of stunning vulnerability and strength. Hoskins’s Carol is spunky, charming, and you’ll never get tired of hearing her sing. Her second act number “Helium” may make you crumble.
The ensemble
It’s the ensemble that truly steals the show, though. Functioning as a true Greek chorus, they guide the audience through Larry’s journey with all the energy and personality of a main character. In particular, Josh Hoon Lee, Minju Michelle Lee, Kailin Brown, and Devin Cortez deserve recognition for their unrelenting energy and complete commitment to Alexzandra Sarmiento’s sharp, complex, and undeniably cool choreography. Somehow, they are able to do all that dancing while maintaining a blended sound that would make any a cappella director proud. It’s truly impressive.
Charlie McCullagh and ensemble
Be careful attending if you don’t want an earworm stuck in your head. Godfrey’s score scratches that itch in the part of my brain that loves a good musical theatre number. It is sometimes reminiscent of Come from Away, Hamilton, and Six. The harmonies are tight, and the way the melody meshes with the lyrics is very deliberate. Every note feels purposeful and emotionally connected. Joe Beighton’s orchestrations and musical supervision create a sonic landscape that completely envelops us.
Charlie McCullagh
The design elements all work in harmony to create a magical, transporting world that’s a little eccentric and fantastical. Milla Clarke’s scenic design serves the story brilliantly, incorporating skateboarding ramps that both capture the 80s aesthetic and give the performers the opportunity to rise and fall with gravity (very on theme). Andrzej Goulding’s video design is theatrical magic—projections create true illusions at times but also expand the story from the bodies onstage to something grand, expansive, and, of course, still quite silly. It’s Goulding’s work that carries us into the sky. Bruno Poet’s lighting designs works in harmony with the music, choreography, and projections to help certain moments pack a real punch.
Charlie McCullagh and Evelyn Hoskins
From the moment the opening number begins, 42 Balloons announces itself as something extraordinary—the kind of rare piece of theatre that reminds you why you fell in love with the artform in the first place. For me, Act I was the perfect lift-off. Act II lost some altitude, lacking some of the sparkle that made me fall in love with the first half, but even if it falls short of perfection, 42 Balloons combines brilliant design elements and technically exquisite performances with genuine heart to create an evening that will leave you floating long after the final bow.
photos by Kyle Flubacker
42 Balloons
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The Yard on Navy Pier, 800 East Grand Avenue
ends on June 29, 2025
for tickets, call 312.595.5600 or visit Chicago Shakes
for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago
