42 Balloons

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 9:42am

This closed in Chicago this weekend. Anyone else catch it during its final week? Think it heads to Broadway soon?

As far as most audiences are concerned, I think 42 Balloons has some really great music and a functional book (though I think regular theatre goers will be more critical). I have been repeat streaming “Lawn Chair Larry” on the concept recording since seeing it. If you want a catchy tune to get a feel for the show, go to your local streaming service and give it a listen. There were SO many great numbers and I would kill to see this again on Broadway.

I see its biggest critical uphill battle as the blatant lack of a spectacle-driven flight moment or the appearance of the titular balloons. The rest of the design elements were spectacular and as a minimalist/abstract show it’s still gorgeous to look at - but just so ridiculous that a show of this subject matter was conceived as what is essentially an “use your imagination” chamber musical.

I didn’t see Bruce at Seattle Rep in 2022, but I drew a lot of comparisons - a major Broadway tryout with a unique and captivating subject matter, some solid book/score work, and great performances - albeit significantly brought down due to the lack of the physical Bruce robot the entire show is about. I remember it being a major critical point of contention and I see a similar fate for 42 Balloons if it transfers especially for mainstream spectacle-driven audiences.

Wicked would not be half the sensation it is today if Elphaba had just been running to the front of the stage and throwing her arms up during Defying Gravity every night since 2003 instead of riding the iconic cherry picker lift.

Updated On: 6/30/25 at 09:42 AM

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 10:18am

The cast was strong but the book pulled its punches. The second act put the blame for Larry’s breakdown on the media. It skimmed over his mental health issues and refused to put any blame on his enabling girlfriend.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 10:33am

I have not seen it, but this is another Kevin McCollum project. So, a New York run is definitely in its future. Probably at NWS if I had to guess.

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 12:27pm

This was a slog. Dull choreography, redundant shadows on the back wall, lackluster projections.

A great idea with weak execution. 

[mitchern]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 2:04pm

I thought the music was great, but agreed that the book, staging and choreography all need some work. 

[Hey, Zelda!]

Posted: 6/30/25 at 6:16pm

That just about everyone in "42 Balloons" sings about themselves in the third person could be an interesting device, but, as it stands for me, it just feels like a novice composer-lyricist who doesn't (yet) have the juice to really inhabit his characters.

[Ensemble1728379893]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 5:00am

I agree. It just does not work. Also, as someone has mentioned above, we need to know more about the enabling girlfriend. If someone comes to me with that idea, I'd discourage them. But she gives in without a full-fledged explanation.

This is also a musical that would work better as a tight 90 mn. 

[starlightexpress2]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 9:20am

I loved it. I think it should be trimmed down to one act, add the flying and the balloons, and work to add a bit of complexity and likability to Larry so he doesn’t come across as a total prick. This is significantly stronger than Boop (the other Chicago premier I saw in recent memory) imo so I’m rooting for its success.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 10:25am

Goodness I loved this one so much. I wasn't expecting to, and thought the promo stuff sounded/looked cheesy and silly. It IS a little silly but on purpose, I think, and I do agree less blame should be placed on the media... and more time should be spent exploring Larry and his relationships... but I really did love it. I thought the music was clever and incredibly catchy. 

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 10:31am

Saw this a couple of times in Chicago. I thought it was a fun show, with great music, cool 80s vibe, fantastic ensemble, strong leads, and witty presentation. I was surprised to see one of my favorite Broadway performers, Lisa Howard, as the mother. What a voice! I just think it could have been a little shorter - maybe a 90-100 minute one act - since I thought it was losing steam in the final third. Also, it was a little disappointing to not see Larry actually fly at some point and not to actually see the titular balloons. And such a downer ending, but what can you do with a true story? Doesn’t seem like a Broadway show, but who knows?

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 10:33am

When I heard this show was happening, I looked up the guy on Wikipedia and was surprised anyone would want to musicalize a story that ends so very unfortunately. The life story of Bob Merrill next, maybe? “How Much is That Doggie in the Window - a new musical that ends with a bang!”

Updated On: 7/2/25 at 10:33 AM

[noahseestheatre]

Posted: 7/2/25 at 12:50pm

Saw the show on Opening Night and echo what most have said--I got ripped to shreds on reddit for suggesting there should actually be balloons in the show, or some simulated flight. Nope, they just lifted him 5 feet off the ground.

 

I do think the score is quite fun and the set was pretty cool, and the ensemble worked for me. It just felt like they were selling something they didn't deliver on. I did my research to learn about his story, and the chair flying with balloons felt like VERY iconic imagery to just kind of toss to the side. Lisa Howard, though, slayed.