Larry Walters’ famous flight over LA using a garden chair and helium balloons is now the subject of a celebrated stage musical.
Larry Walters’ flight, using a garden chair and helium balloons, is celebrated in a stage musical.
Following his unconventional journey, Larry Walters reassured the American public that he wasn’t merely a reckless individual who had embarked on a whim with a risky and absurd plan. Rather, he emphasized that his desire to take flight had been a lifelong aspiration. Despite being rejected by the US Air Force due to his poor eyesight, Walters meticulously researched for years to fulfill his dream in a uniquely improvised manner. Upon safely returning to the ground, despite the perilous journey that involved floating in a chair over the approach to LAX airport and landing in power lines, Walters’ adventure created a small uproar.
During an appearance on David Letterman’s TV show, despite his attempts to convey the seriousness of his plan, the audience couldn’t contain their laughter as he referred to his “craft” as a simple piece of garden furniture, and his “ground crew” as a handful of friends and his fiancée in her modest backyard.
Jack Godfrey, the writer of the musical about the man known as Lawnchair Larry, recalls, “When others were laughing at him, he confidently asserted, ‘I knew exactly what I was doing.'” This sentiment, reiterated several times during the interview and prominently featured in the show, resonates deeply with me.
While he does acknowledge the absurdity of certain aspects, his underlying message suggests that despite appearances, meticulous organization and planning underpinned every step of the endeavor. He wasn’t merely whimsical; rather, he approached the feat with methodical precision.
Walters, being a pilot at heart, meticulously plotted every detail. He calculated the required number of balloons, affixed 13 plastic jugs of water for ballast, and even armed himself with an air pistol to regulate his descent.
Yet, despite his meticulous preparations, not everything unfolded as intended.
Larry unexpectedly ascended to a much greater altitude, reaching 16,000 feet (4,880 meters), and in the process, he inadvertently dropped his glasses overboard. Air traffic control received reports from two commercial aircraft regarding sightings of the glasses.
After successfully popping seven balloons, he accidentally dropped the gun before the remaining balloons began to deflate. Despite the mishap, he landed safely after approximately 45 minutes.
Although Larry’s initial fame may have faded soon after his flight, his daring feat has continued to captivate audiences for over four decades.
His adventurous endeavor has sparked the imagination of numerous imitators in the realm of cluster ballooning, and even inspired a 2003 film featuring Rhys Ifans. Additionally, the concept of using balloons for transportation reached new heights in Pixar’s 2009 movie, Up.
Now, he has achieved another milestone by crossing the Atlantic, thanks to the musical production “42 Balloons,” debuting at the Lowry theatre in Salford, Greater Manchester, on Thursday.
“The story resonated deeply with me,” remarks the writer and composer of the musical.
Godfrey elaborates that witnessing someone accomplish a seemingly improbable life goal is motivating. At 31 years old, he penned the show while juggling part-time teaching and nurturing his own quieter aspirations.
“I recently relocated to London with aspirations of becoming a writer, amidst the skepticism of those around me, which was understandable given my non-theatre background. Despite the doubts, my family and friends remained supportive. When I stumbled upon the tale of a man facing similar challenges and doubts yet persevering relentlessly towards his dream, I felt an instant connection. It was an inspiring underdog story that resonated deeply with me, as I saw reflections of my own journey within it.”
“I realized that perhaps others would resonate with this tale. It carries a universal theme—the pursuit of a dream.”
By delving into Larry’s aspirations, Godfrey has taken strides toward realizing his own ambitions, now emerging as a prominent figure in the realm of musical theatre.
His debut production, “42 Balloons,” has garnered significant attention, backed by notable figures such as producers Andy and Wendy Barnes, known for their involvement in hit shows like “Six.” Additionally, receiving early support from the Lowry, akin to their support for “Operation Mincemeat,” which recently clinched the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Godfrey is currently gearing up for his next professional endeavor, “Babies,” set to debut at London’s Other Palace theatre by the end of May.
Meanwhile, another individual inspired by Lawnchair Larry is Mark Barry, who took on the task of investigating Larry’s story and eventually became the spokesperson for his family.
Barry aimed to address some of the misunderstandings surrounding Larry. “I felt that people had misconceptions about him, viewing him as some sort of eccentric,” he explains. “I wanted to clarify that this wasn’t the case with Larry. He was just like any of us. The only distinction was that he pursued his dreams.
“He was a visionary who actually realized his aspirations, unlike many of us who simply remain seated in our comfort zones.”
Barry, a pilot and simulator engineer from Arizona, located the original lawnchair that Larry had used, which had been gifted to a child in the neighborhood where he landed. This iconic chair is now on display at the US National Air and Space Museum within the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
Barry’s absence from the musical doesn’t deter from the narrative, which includes the rediscovery of the chair. Additionally, the storyline incorporates Larry’s tragic demise at the age of 44 in 1993, occurring 11 years post-flight. Following his passing, his mother informed US media that he took his own life by shooting himself in the heart during a hike to his beloved spot in the Angeles National Forest. This event is portrayed as a suicide within the show.
Larry’s mother later disclosed to the New Yorker that she found some aspects of his death suspicious. She mentioned the presence of drug smugglers in the vicinity and highlighted that Larry, a left-handed individual, was discovered with the gun in his right hand. Conversely, Larry’s sister refuted any insinuation of foul play in the same article.
Barry now asserts that he has unearthed evidence challenging the notion of Larry’s death as a suicide. However, he has opted not to divulge further details until he completes writing a book about Larry’s life and demise.
Therefore, it appears that there may still be untold aspects to Larry’s narrative.
Regardless of the reality, he appears fated to be remembered as a courageous nonconformist of typical American existence.
According to Larry’s statement to the LA Times: “I never imagined that pursuing my life’s ambition, my dream, would generate such attention – and bring laughter to people.”
You can catch 42 Balloons at The Lowry in Salford until May 19th.
Larry Walters, a North Hollywood truck driver, captured the world’s imagination when he tied 45 helium-filled weather balloons to a lawn chair and soared over the City of Angels in 1982. What was meant to be a short and fun experiment turned into a surreal and dangerous adventure.
Larry, equipped with sandwiches, beer, and a pellet gun for popping balloons to descend, ascended to about 16,000 feet, where he became a flying sensation and an unexpected aviation hazard. His audacious flight brought both laughter and concern to onlookers, and his daring stunt left a lasting mark on aviation history.
Although Larry faced some legal consequences and a hefty fine for his unconventional escapade, his story continues to amaze and inspire people to this day. The man who flew over LA with balloons and a garden chair not only defied gravity but also left a legacy of airborne ingenuity and the bold spirit of human invention.
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