Oct 292 min read

13 Going On 30 To Receive World Premiere In Manchester In 2025

The world premiere production of 13 Going On 30 - The Musical will open at Manchester Opera House in 2025. It will play a limited season there from 21st September - 12th October.

Based on the 2004 rom-com classic starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, the musical is written by the film writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa and will be directed by Andy Fickman, perhaps best known to many here for directing Heathers. It will have songs written by Michael Weiner and Alan Zachary.

Film writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, said

“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 thirty, flirty, and thriving. It’s been a joy to work with ROYO, Revolution Studios, songwriters Alan Zachary & 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!”

The announcement follows a workshop production that took place last year at Battersea Arts Centre with a cast including Lucie Jones and Jamie Muscato. Having attended one of the performances, I immediately fell in love and eagerly awaited news of a future life. Casting for the 2025 production will be announced in due course.

13 Going On 30 is set around Jenna Rink, an adorably awkward 13-year-old girl who wishes she could skip over the misery of high school. When her birthday wish comes true, Jenna magically wakes up as an adult to find herself “thirty, flirty and thriving” as the editor of a fashion magazine with a seemingly perfect life. But as she gradually

unravels the mystery of what kind of person she has become, she goes on a journey to work out what —and who — really matters.

This hilarious and inspiring new musical is about the choices we make, the friends we choose and the beauty of never losing your sparkle, and is a feel-great reminder that being yourself never gets old.

Tickets go on public sale on Wednesday 13th November at 13:30 and on priority sale 24 hours earlier.