GeorgeandDot said: "I'm not sure what changes have been made for the transfer over the pond, but I saw the original production (it was a mess, but I loved it) and I missed the youthful energy that the OBC had. Behind a dreadful production was a lovely show and a great cast (for the most part) and this new production went with older actors and one of the ugliest sets that I have ever seen, plus quite a few horrible American accents. Jenna Russel was the only thing about it that I particularly loved, but I don't think she's transfering with the show. Don't worry too much since it's still a chance to see a rare Sondheim show, even if it is a merely serviceable production.
I've said it before, but they should cast the show younger (Maybe Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, and maybe Jonathan Groff) to appeal to a younger crowd who will probably find the show more relatable. It loses some of it's charm with an o9i
I am probably telling you something you already know, but that has been a creative issue with the show since it originally opened. Trying to figure out why it was such a failure, more than a few critics of the original production criticized the decision to use younger actors, citing AS I RECALL lack of 'weight' in the heavy scenes. Get the three that you mentioned and that would probably not be an issue. (I assume Groff would be Franklin in our imagination).
Note: I also seem to remember Prince struggling to determine whether to use more mature actors or the young ones he ultimately chose. I don't remember where I heard / read that. I have to admit that -- knowing that the younger performers could not pull it off originally -- I am looking forward to seeing older performers, but am also hesitant, since the backward story telling means that they will become more challenged as the show progresses. At least with younger performers, they become more age appropriate as the show progresses, i.e., you get further away from the casting problem, not closer.