13 Going on 30 is a musical based on the 2004 American movie, with book by Josh Goldsmith & Cathy Yuspa and songs by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner. The show is directed by Andy Fickman. Jennifer Garner, who starred as Jenna in the movie, executive produced the musical. [1]
Jenna is 13 years old and, in hope to escape the misery of high school, makes a wish and is transformed in a 30-year-old editor of a fashion magazine with a seemingly perfect life. As Jenna discovers which type of person she has become, she discovers what and especially who really matters in her life.
| Character | Battersea Arts Centre workshop | Manchester Opera House |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2025 | |
| Jenna Rink | Lucie Jones | Lucie Jones |
| Matt Flamhaff | Jamie Muscato | David Hunter |
| Lucy Wyman | Grace Mouat | Grace Mouat |
| Richard | Caleb Roberts | Caleb Roberts |
| Kyle Grandy | Andrew Berlin | Andrew Berlin |
| Alex | Alex Stoll | Dominic Andersen |
| Wayne | Lewis Asquit | Ross Dawes |
| Bev | Mary-Jean Caldwell | Suzie McAdam |
| Darius Mark | Iván Fernández González | Iván Fernández González |
| Wendy | - | Jenna Innes |
| Paige | - | Rose Galbraith |
On 28 September 2023, a UK stage adaptation of the film was announced. The show held several public workshop performances at Battersea Arts Centre in London, ahead of a full production opening in 2025. The stage production is written by movie writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa and music is by composer/lyricists Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. [2] [3] Casting for the workshops was announced on 12 October 2023, with Lucie Jones playing Jenna Rink, Jamie Muscato playing Matt Flamhaff, and Grace Mouat playing Lucy Wyman, with Andy Fickman set to direct. [4]
On 29 October 2024, it was announced that the stage adaptation would make its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House from 21 September 2025 through 12 October 2025. The producers for the show include ROYO, Revolution Studios, Wendy Federman, and Phil Kenny. Andy Fickman returned as director. [5]
In May 2025 full casting was announced, with David Hunter and Grace Mouat joining Lucie Jones, as Matt and Lucy respectively. [6]