13 Going on 30 - The Musical begins its world premiere at Manchester Opera House September 21. The production is set to run through October 12.

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). Andy Fickman (Heathers) is directing.

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.

The Manchester premiere stars Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink. 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 also played Jenna Rink in 13 Going on 30's workshop at Battersea Arts Centre.

Jones is joined by David Hunter (Kinky Boots) as Matt Flamhaff, Grace Mouat (SIX) as Lucy Wyman, Caleb Roberts (Passing Strange) as Richard, Andrew Berlin (Muriel’s Wedding) as Kyle Grandy, Dominic Andersen (Heathers) as Alex, Ross Dawes (The Time Traveller’s Wife) as Wayne, Suzie McAdam (Much Ado About Nothing) as Bev, and Iván Fernández Gonzáles (Heathers) as Darius Mark, along with Tia Antione-Charles (Mean Girls), George Bray (Crazy For You), Elliot David Parkes (Pretty Woman), Sarah Drake (MAMMA MIA! The Party), Rose Galbraith (Cruel Intentions), Jenna Innes (Heathers), Henry Lawes (Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter), Rachel Moran (The Lightning Thief), Amy Parker (MinerBirds), Jack Rowell (Hello Again), Rebecca-Daisy Wellington (The Book of Mormon), and Kevin Yates (Cruel Intentions).

The production also employs a wide range of child actors, including Max Bispham, Cyrus Campbell, Melody Caruana, Keira Chansa, Emmeline D’arcy-Walsh, Anna De Oliveira, Azaelea Zona Harris, Hughie Higginson, Bella Hockaday, Clare Keeley, Fearne Lily King I’anson, Amelia Minto, Florence Moluluo, Nyomi Okoro, Marlis Robson, Star Lily Shentall-Lee, Joel Tennant, Maddison Thew, Florrie May Wilkinson, Clark Young, and Hanya Zhang.

"After more than 20 years, I still get to talk about Jenna Rink and 13 Going on 30 more days than not—who knew our quirky little movie would have such staying power?," said producer and original film star Jennifer Garner in a previous statement. "I’m thrilled to see Jenna, Matty, and Lucy live on in their very own musical—are you kidding me? I’m geeking out! Lucie Jones is flirty and thriving as Jenna, the music is a blast, and all of the anguish of growing up is alive and well in this magical production. I’m so happy to join them as executive producer and very much look forward to the journey."

The production features choreography by Jennifer Weber (& Juliet); set design by Colin Richmond (The Red Shoes, The Wizard of Oz); musical supervision, dance, vocal and incidental music arrangements by Alan Williams (Sunset Blvd.); orchestrations by Williams, Weiner and Zachary; lighting design by Howard Hudson (Starlight Express, & Juliet); sound design by Adam Fisher (Kinky Boots, Sunset Blvd.); video design by George Reeve (Hercules the Musical, OLIVER!); wigs, hair & make up design by Sam Cox (Clueless, Moulin Rouge!), and illusions by Paul Kieve (Matilda, Dynamo). Casting is by Will Burton (Here & Now, Evita), children's casting and children's general management is by Keston & Keston (The Lion King, Winnie the Pooh), and production management is by Simon Gooding and Matt Jones for Gooding Jones Production Management.

ROYO, Revolution Studios, Wendy Federman, and Phil Kenny are also producing with Todd Garner, Marla Levine, and Dean Stolber.

Visit 1330Musical.com for more information.