Starlight Express - Troubadour

I think that was largely the point being made wasn’t it? There’s no evidence to support the fact that these cast members can sustain that sort of schedule. Regardless of their skill and talent they’ve only appeared in “in training” productions with runs of a couple of days. Seems like a massive risk to me. 
Anyway we’ll be eating our words when it all goes swimmingly won’t we. 

So I may have a different perspective as I follow Bochum so closely, but I really wouldn't worry about people making their professional debuts in Starlight Express. Bochum has lots of such people every year, almost never casts new people that are "names" (in the MT world) and these people are all fantastic performers. In fact people straight from drama school are often so used to learning new skills that they take to performing this show perfectly.

Starlight also has a very long rehearsal period including skate school. And even though this is a totally new production there is such a depth of experience from Bochum re how to successfully cast it, and many of those people have been involved in this.

You could flip it on it's head and say:
Does it particularly need non graduates to perform the show? No (shown in Bochum, the UK tours and London).
Does it need names to sell tickets? Not currently.

And even if they had cast any MT names, they would still mean nothing to 99% of the ticket buying public. I mourn it a bit, but Starlight in Germany is a bit like a theme park. The names and backgrounds of the performers are sadly irrelevant to almost everyone in there. They just want to see a sensationally performed show. And also, re some of the names that had been thrown about, was mainly fangirl faves so I am pretty grateful to be spared that circus.

Further, if for once in 2024, the actual MUSICAL could be the star - am all for it. (I mean on Broadway, the musical is in many cases irrelevant these days. So many recent examples of star vehicle shows where nobody is interested and they close as soon as they can't get the next star. Sweeney Todd, Music Man etc etc etc). Starlight has always been it's own star.

It does also slightly amuse me how people on forums decree what the cast may or may not have the stamina for as if, errr, casting directors and producers might not know a little bit better than us (yes, I know there are exceptions but the vast vast majority of castings work out well) And LOL re people thinking they are being ripped off by the casting of graduates. Errr, don't buy tickets then?

There is also the slightly sad fact that we are getting older. 25 odd years ago on the old old forum people were complaining how young everyone in Les Mis was - getting younger every year, Cameron wants them on the cheap etc etc ad infinitum. If they were younger every year they'd be embryonic now!

Final thought is there are 8 in the cast who have done this in Bochum, some for many years. So overall there is a depth of experience in the cast. Again similar to Bochum. Every year a mix of new and old!

I think it's all very exciting - can't wait :-)

It does indeed. But one or two.

I do agree 5 new graduate leads is certainly unusual. 

But then most of what we know about this new production is unusual!

Bochum also has an extensive schedule of covers though so people don't do 8/9 shows a week. And certainly when none of them are names people might feel they have paid to see, this system is very workable. On any given show literally 1/3 to 1/2 the cast are not first cast. (Though first cast have gone on more since the 30th revamp).

Surprised to see any disappointment in this casting news. It’s Starlight Express. The show is the star.

It’s a gruelling, tough show that few established MT stars would want to put their bodies through. They’ve cast young and fit, who can swing in and out when necessary. And completely removed any kind of audience disappointment along the lines of “I bought this ticket to see X but they’re not on!”

Are e-scooters a rumour? I read about bikes…

A rumour I'm starting - anything for a job.  I think it's just bikes.

This doesn't stop him being young, and any issues attached, but Jeevan Braich can certainly sing. Most Tik Toks on the account are lip syncing to speech, but this is 'Can You Feel The love Tonight'.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jeevanbraich/video/7304720634523716897

Someone needs to keep ALW the hell away from managing this cast. Young, all over social media (one of Jeevan Braich's has 6 million views), tik tok'ing showing sass that's sometimes roleplay sometimes real - all stuff that 'Cinderella' showed he doesn't begin to understand.

Of course, that's partly the reason the cast are so young. As you say, Webber is trying to do a "Six" again (like he failed with Cinderella but desperately wanted) by making the show hit on social media and highlighting those young performers teens will naturally start to follow and make "stars". It's not a surprise that Jade Marvin has been brought in with her past in Six as that's the demograph they clearly want for this revival. That's also what happened to her after all. They have also employed the same casting company as Six so they know the type they need.

These performers will be relatable to the intended audience of young adults and also have the social media savviness to give the show free publicity as is already starting to happen.

All the cast, I imagine, won't be doing all shows and some will be alternating tracks which I imagine the show might use to it's advantage. It reminds me of the hype Six fans have for seeing that show's alternate wives or the same for Mincemeat cast bingo (which is again the same casting company). Certainly creates repeat visits which this show is going to need out of school holidays - collect them all!

Sorry original production Starlight fans, I've got a feeling this one's not intended for you guys necessarily!

For better or for worse, I think you're right on this point.

Though as I said in a long post somewhere upthread I hope it can have enough in it to please the old fans whilst attracting a new audience! But I think the emphasis may be on the latter.

I think Starlight is a special case as it is very much a product of pop culture. If it doesn't reflex current tastes, it doesn't work so it has to have pretty robust overhauls to stay relevant. It's had changes ever since the 80s so I don't think there is or will ever be a definitive version - just a continuous evolution of roughly the same ingredients under the banner of "Starlight Express".

Equally, for those new audiences, this will be their "original" Starlight Express that will be "messed about with" in years to come(!)

I'm kinda similar. Character changes don't bother me at all. And the cast announcement was never gonna be something that would bother me too much one way or another! Things I really care about though:
- orchestrations and musical arrangements 
- amazing singing and dancing as you say
- desperately hoping it's gonna be a cool set and generally a sensory overload experience!.
In fact am wayyyy more interested in when we start getting sneak pics of set and production than casting announcement really.