Manchester Opera House, Manchester – Sunday 21 September until 12 October 2025
Reviewed by Kirsty Thomson
5*****
I had the pleasure to attend a rehearsal event for the new 13 Going on 30 musical, and let me tell you, it blew me away. From the moment the cast started singing, I was hooked.
This new adaptation of the 2004 movie is directed by Andy Fickman who also directed Heathers The Musical. The musical adds new life to the comedy film which follows Jenna’s unforgettable journey from being an awkward teen to being a “30, flirty, and thriving” editor for a magazine, where she learns that being 30 has its own challenges and what is truly important in life at 30, wasn’t what she believed it to be at 13. The incredible Lucie Jones will be playing Jenna Rink, previously played by Jennifer Garner in the movie. In the rehearsal her extraordinary vocals shone through with an incredible vulnerability, and I believe she has been cast perfectly into this role. David Hunter will be playing Matt Flamhaff, played by Mark Ruffalo in the film, and from one musical number alone it was clear to see the character development and the chemistry built between himself and Lucie. The whole cast had such a vibrant energy, and you could really feel the enthusiasm radiating from them, sweeping you up with the excitement!
The choreographer, Jennifer Weber, who also choreographed the musical ‘& Juliet’ is an excellent choice for this show. From the numbers I witnessed in the rehearsal event, she has really brought her storytelling style of movement to the stage with so much energy and drama. I thought the choreography in the finale song ‘Living In The Here And Now’ particularly stood out with the 13 year old Jenna and Matt mirroring the moves of 30 year old Jenna and Matt to demonstrate the connection of the characters remaining unchanged across the years. The combination of the diverse age groups of the cast members on stage created a profoundly powerful dynamic which demonstrated the passing of time in a way that the film simply couldn’t capture.
It was fantastic to see so much new life breathed into an old classic, with witty humour, explosive choreography and fantastic vocals. This new musical is set to be a crowd pleaser, and I am certainly excited to see the full show. Whether you want to relive the nostalgia of this story or just want a feel-good musical that will have you laughing and reminiscing, grab your Razzles and get booking, this isn’t one to be missed