Cast and creatives announced for new musical 42 Balloons

Casting and creatives have been confirmed for the fully staged premiere of new musical 42 Balloons.

The uplifting new show, penned by the talented Jack Godfrey, will run at The Lowry, Salford, from 18 April – 19 May 2024.

42 Balloons draws inspiration from the almost unbelievable true adventure of Larry Walters, a truck driver who, on 2 July 1982, famously ascended 16,000 feet above Los Angeles in a lawn chair lifted by 42 helium-filled weather balloons. Alongside his partner Carol Van Deusen, Larry’s audacious dream of flight, challenging FAA airspace regulations and disbelief, comes to life in this musical narrative, underscored by an 80s pop-inspired soundtrack.

The production will see Charlie McCullagh and Evelyn Hoskins reprise their roles as Larry and Carol, respectively, following their acclaimed performances in the 2022 West End concert shows.

Joining them will be Gillian Hardie as ‘Carol’s Mom’ and Lejaun Sheppard as ‘Ron’.

The rest of the company will comprise Simon Anthony, Jordan Broatch, Maddison Bulleyment, Athena Collins, Morgan Gregory, Matt Jones, Luke Latchman, Rebekah Lowings, Jamie Pritchard, Laura Dawn Pyatt, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda and Natasha Wilde.

Ellie Coote is director & dramaturg, with 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 Olivier and Tony Award-winner Andrzej Goulding, lighting design by Tony and Olivier Award-nominee Bruno Poet, sound design by Grammy and Tony Award-nominee Paul Gatehouse, casting by Pearson Casting CDG and music direction by Flynn Sturgeon.

Meanwhile, fans of the musical can look forward to an EP release on Friday, 8 March, featuring selected songs from the show.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit 42balloons.com.