The musical adaptation of the hit film 13 Going on 30, set to premiere at Manchester Opera House in fall 2025, has found its star.
Lucie Jones will star as Jenna Rink, the role played on screen by Jennifer Garner. West End star Jones's previous credits include Genevieve in The Baker’s Wife (Menier Chocolate Factory), Catherine in Pippin, Katie in Super You, Fantine in Les Misérables, Elphaba in Wicked, and Jenna Hunterson in Waitress. Jones starred Jenna Rink in 13 Going on 30's workshop at Battersea Arts Centre.
To hear Jones perform a song from "That Moment in Time" from the musical, check out the video above.
Beginning performances September 21, 2025, the musical is adapted by the original film writers Joshua Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, with music by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (First Date, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series). Directed by Andy Fickman, additional casting is to be announced.
Said Goldsmith and Yuspa, “When we wrote the movie 13 Going on 30, we never dreamt that on the film’s 20th anniversary, we’d get the chance to see a whole new generation fall in love with Razzles and feel 30, flirty, and thriving. It’s been a joy to work with ROYO, Revolution Studios, songwriters Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, and director Andy Fickman to bring this story to life as a stage musical. We were thrilled by the audience’s response to our workshop last year, and now we can’t wait to officially open in Manchester at the legendary Opera House—the launchpad of so many iconic musicals. So bring your family, your friends, maybe a date, or just come alone—don’t be shy, we’re all nice. Hope you have as much fun seeing the show as we had making it!”
13 Going on 30 centers on Jenna Rink, an adorably awkward 13-year-old girl who wishes she could skip over the misery of high school, magically waking up to find herself “30, flirty, and thriving” as the editor of a fashion magazine with a seemingly perfect life. The stage adaptation has been in the works since at least 2016.
ROYO, Revolution Studios, Wendy Federman, and Phil Kenny are producing with Todd Garner, Marla Levine, and Dean Stolber.
