"Sleepless: A Musical Romance" premiered at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theater on Tuesday, marking London's first fully staged indoor musical since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March. While the show itself may not be particularly remarkable, its significance lies in being one of the few live performances happening in the city, with previous revivals taking place outdoors or with minimal cast. Despite its mediocrity, the fact that "Sleepless" is running through September 27 is a sign of progress that was unimaginable just a short while ago. The musical benefits from being based on the successful 1993 film "Sleepless in Seattle," which starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan and is notable for keeping its lead characters apart until the end. This version of "Sleepless" is unrelated to a 2013 stage adaptation. The story incorporates a geographical distance that resonates with the current era of social distancing. The show follows the journey of widowed Sam and enthusiastic Annie as they meet on Valentine's Day at the Empire State Building. Safety measures are in place for the cast, crew, and audience members, including daily coronavirus testing, mask-wearing, temperature checks, and hand sanitiser stations throughout the building. The theatre in northwestern London is only selling a limited number of seats for each performance to ensure some revenue during this time when the West End is still closed. Despite the dedication of the cast and crew, the production of "Sleepless: A Musical Romance" based on the film "Sleepless in Seattle" at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theater in London is not as thrilling as hoped. Director Morgan Young and the two English stars previously worked together on the West End premiere of the musical "Big" last year. In a photo provided by Alastair Muir, Kimberley Walsh, Jack Reynolds, and Jay McGuiness are seen in the musical "Sleepless: A Musical Romance" at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theater in London. This production, based on the popular 1993 film "Sleepless in Seattle," marks London's first fully staged indoor musical in several months. The show introduces a new British composing duo, Robert Scott and Brendan Cull, in a theater scene still dominated by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Despite some catchy tunes, some critics find the music lacking originality, with many songs sounding similar. The story revolves around Annie, whose songs mainly focus on her infatuation with a man she heard on the radio during the holidays. Just like the movie, you sympathize with Walter, Annie's unexciting partner, as he is caught off guard by her growing fascination with a voice she wants to meet in person. In this version, Sam, a depressed architect from Seattle, is overshadowed by his son Jonah, who plays matchmaker and is portrayed by the talented Jobe Hart. The highlight of the show is a duet between Jonah and Sam's lively friend Rob, with a reprise that includes a key change. The musical follows Nora Ephron's screenplay closely, occasionally overdoing certain references. Annie, a reporter for The Baltimore Sun, is portrayed as a film enthusiast with a strong interest in the Cary Grant-Deborah Kerr film "An Affair to Remember," which influenced Ephron's film. However, it is unclear why Annie feels the need to express her love for Grant or why she would debate the pronunciation of Kerr's last name. Despite this, Annie's conversations often lead to unexpected places, such as finding the word "exotic" to sound exotic. McGuiness and Walsh, known for their work with pop groups, are likable leaders in a show that feels somewhat lacking. While "Sleepless" is enjoyable, it leaves you wanting more and better theater experiences in the future. Text = Copyright 2020 New York Times News Service.