42 Balloons launches Lawnchair Larry over Navy Pier

There's a rainbow of colors represented in 42 Balloons, just in time for Pride month at The Yard. The new musical is inspired by the true story of Larry Walters, who flew a Sears lawn chair tied to 42 helium-filled balloons in 1982.

The story begins with a singing ensemble wearing colorful jumpsuits and performing dance sequences in front of a high-tech set. The plot skips through decades of time, starting in 1969 and ending in 1993. The tale of Walters' rise to fame while ascending to 16,000 feet has several ups and downs with this new production.

Anyone who has ridden in a hot air balloon knows they are difficult to control and land smoothly. Walters used a pellet gun to maneuver his lounger after leaving his girlfriend's backyard. He called his contraption Inspiration I and had dreamed of using weather balloons to fly ever since the age of 13. Charlie McCullagh portrays the Vietnam veteran as quirky and somewhere on the spectrum.

The romance between him and Carol Van Deusen, played by Evelyn Hoskins, eventually falls flat after the pressures of fame and fortune prove to be too much. Walter's relationship with himself also doesn't end well and the gruesome true facts bog down this peppy musical.

The talented cast and crew do their best to keep things moving, but there's too much hot air in 42 Balloons, which makes for an overblown running time. The joke of singing awkward moments during unusual plot points throughout the show grows old by the end.

Akron Watson comes on strong as Ron Richland, as does Lisa Howard, who plays Margaret Van Deusen. There are several standout performances that threaten to overpower Charlie's storyline and that focus is up to director Ellie Coote to control.

It's an intriguing story that would be better conveyed through a short documentary instead of being tethered to a musical format. Following one's dreams is something many can relate to and Walters deserved more accolades in the media than he received. For those who go on this journey expecting a Walt Disney cartoon, prepare for a crash landing. Hopes are high for Walters' historical musical to live on in the future and trimming some of the unnecessary tidbits will lighten the load for takeoff.

42 Balloons floats over Navy Pier now through June 29, 2025, in The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, 800 E. Grand Ave. Find tickets for this North American premiere at chicagoshakes.com.