I've been largely using electronic drums for musicals, especially in smaller venues for about a decade now. Not a bad idea to have your drummer(s) test drive several models before you buy (rent for shows).
There are a lot of variances, but I find it helps a LOT, especially in keeping the overall volume
level down in the pit (if there is one).
The main
element that you may not want to be electronic is having a "real" snare option, and perhaps some breakables (cymbals). Generally, anything can be emulated with a sufficiently well-put-together
electric drum kit but this can make a huge difference, especially if the music calls for "brush work".
As to the "with a better drummer, it doesn't matter" theory, I have found it still does. And yes a
drum shield can also be an option and help a fair
bit. However a good drummer can control dynamics a lot better, the fact that you can
gain so much
headroom with electronic drums is still true.
Heck, I've even used electronic drums in the pit in large venues too to great
effect.
The youth theatres I know switched to electronic a long time ago and haven't looked back too.
Really, I find you just have to look at the needs of the show, the
venue,
etc. Sometimes a fully real kit is great, sometimes it makes everything sound better to go digital.
The key is to really dial in the headphone mixes in the pit (personal control solutions help when available), and even using wedges I find overall volume in the pit still decreases happily and clarity often improves (in tight situations).
The other thing to keep in mind is the patches, samples,
etc on the digital drum kit.