What Dreams Can Do

42 Balloons

“It was something I had to do. I had this dream for twenty years, and if I hadn’t done it, I think I would’ve ended up in the funny farm.” This is what Larry Walters, a man with a passionate dream and a fiery fascination with flight, told the press following his unbelievable adventure in space. 42 BALLOONS is a high-flying theatrical tribute to anyone with a burning ambition or a flight of fancy. It’s a marvelous musical metaphor about “What Dreams Can Do.”

Nicknamed “Lawn Chair Larry” by the media, Walters had always wanted to fly. He hoped to one day become a pilot, but was denied that ambition due to his poor eyesight. But Larry’s dream to fly burned within him for years. After meeting and charming his girlfriend, Carol Van Deusen, Larry Walters finally confessed his aspiration to her. With Carol’s support and strained financial help, Larry was able to purchase forty-two helium-filled weather balloons, some rope and an aluminum lawn chair. Convincing Margaret, Carol’s skeptical mother, to launch his mission from her backyard, and urging Ron Richland, his longtime friend, to film the entire flight, Larry set off to fulfill his dream in the summer of 1982.

A true story, Walters’ adventure is understandably fraught with any number of problems. Once reaching a height of 16,000 feet, Larry lost his glasses, had to deal with freezing temperatures and ultimately drifted into the controlled airspace of the Los Angeles International Airport. Jack Godfrey’s brilliant, smart new musical follows Larry Walters through the achievement of his dream, and then probes the unanticipated repercussions of living out his fantasy. This is an absolutely magical musical, filled with fascinating real-life characters, and told story theatre-style through a catchy pop, 80’s-inspired score. What begins as the heartfelt achievement of one man’s lofty dream drifts into the sad reality of what can happen when ambition turns into reality. The audience leaves the theatre warmed by an exhilarating and earnest story that’s filled with energetic choreography, wonderful music and endearing characters.

Powerfully Directed by Ellie Coote, this captivating new show features expert Musical Direction by Conductor and Keyboardist Patrick B. Phillips, along with his accomplished onstage Band, and animated, pulsating Choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento. In addition to some delightfully quirky period Costumes by Natalie Pryce, the production also features a flexible and spacious Scenic Design by Milla Clarke, phenomenal celestial Lighting by Bruno Poet and an amazing Video Design and Content Creation by Andrzej Goulding.

The show is filled with tons of toe-tapping dance tunes and some stunningly spectacular ballads. They include songs like “Up in the Air,” “Somebody’s Story,” “Something As Crazy As This,” “42 Balloons and a Lawn Chair,” “Before It All Falls Down,” “The Kid and the Chair,” “Happily Ever After,” the lovely “Helium,” and, of course, “What Dreams Can Do.”

The magnificent cast is impressively talented. The entire company skillfully drive the story and its theme, filling the Yard with insurmountable pluck and pizzazz. This production will leave audiences totally breathless and buoyant. A dead ringer for the real Larry Walters, international theatre star Charlie McCullagh is superb. He takes us on an emotional journey into the stratosphere and then back to earth again when reality hits. His beautiful encounter and courtship with Carol Van Deusen is as realistic as it is loving—mostly through actress Evelyn Hoskins’ honest, multilayered portrayal. Chicago audiences may remember Ms. Hoskins for her fine portrayal of Wendy in the touring production of  PETER PAN. Both actors have unbounded charisma and great chemistry, in addition to polished and trained voices. They’re nicely supported by two excellent professional actors. Popular Broadway star, Lisa Howard (THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE), plays Margaret Van Deusen with plenty of heart and a fantastic voice. Remembered for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of HAMILTON, Akron Watson returns to the Windy City as Larry’s devoted friend with the video camera, Ron Richland. Mr. Watson is, once again, a powerhouse performer.

Because the talented ensemble of this musical’s so integral to the production, all of whom sport stellar acting, singing and dancing skills, each triple-threat must be acknowledged. The gifted eight-member company includes Kailin Brown, Devin Cortez, Cameron Anika Hill, Josh Hoon Lee, Morgan Schoenecker, Daniel Assetta (who also plays the Air Traffic Controller), Chicago favorite, Austin Nelson, Jr. (who winningly portrays TV talkshow host, David Letterman) and a wonderful performance by Minju Michelle Lee (who wins our hearts as Jerry, the Kid who secretly worshiped what Larry Walters accomplished). This gifted group of performers continually ignite the stage with their syncopation, gravity-defying movement and unending electricity.

“The audacity of hope is God’s greatest gift to us.” So spoke President Barak Obama, but his comment could’ve been inspired by having just enjoyed this marvelous new musical. That it’s based upon a true story makes it especially meaningful. British Playwright and composer Jack Godfrey says that his show is really about dreams: about chasing them, helping others to achieve them and about what happens when they come true. He also feels that his incredibly moving musical is “a love letter to American art and culture,” and that’s so evident in the new production playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre this Summer. Don’t wait to see this handsome, heartfelt musical when it eventually hits Broadway. See it now and be motivated and moved by “What Dreams Can Do.”  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 24-June 29 by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in the Yard Theatre, 800 E. Grand Avenue on Navy Pier, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the CST box office, by calling 312.595.5600 or by going to www.chicagoshakes.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com