13 GOING ON 30 musical finally headed to the stage?

The show will play a 4-performance engagement in October

https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/13-going-on-30-musical-announced_1530972/

Updated On: 9/28/23 at 08:29 AM

The workshop presentations will include @luciejones1 as Jenna Rink, @jamiemuscato Matt Flamhaff, @gracemouat as Lucy, Caleb Roberts as Richard, @alexmichaelstoll as Alex, @andrewaaronb as Kyle, @kiki_parisx as Wendy, @maryjcaldwell as Bev, @jenapandya as Arlene, @lewisa as Wayne, and @ivanfergon_ as Darius. 

The cast will also feature a Young Company including Doireann McNally as Young Jenna, Louie Gray as Young Matt, Bea Ward as Lulu, Delilah Bennett-Cardy as Becky, Finn Henry Barwell as Young Kyle and @jasmine_djazel as Tess.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CyTH_dxIMNc/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Updated On: 10/12/23 at 08:42 AM

Teens don't use the word "trite"

‘13 Going On 30’ Stage Musical Broadway-Bound After 2025 Opening In The UK

https://deadline.com/2024/11/13-going-on-30-stage-musical-1236173469/

jacobsnchz14 said: "The musical had its world premiere performance in Manchester today!"
 

Updated On: 10/7/25 at 06:54 PM

From TheatreBoard:

After really enjoying the workshop of this, I was excited to see it fully fleshed out on stage. I am delighted to say I was not disappointed. I liked the bits of set there were and they were used cleverly, there was a bit of a reliance on screens/projection but it wasn’t bothersome for me. The one bit that did look a bit cheap was two flat decks which slide on and off stage left and stage right attached to a long solid pole (so it could be pulled back from the wings), a few of the cast both adult and young stumbled over the poles a few times. I thought the whole cast were great, the bosses role seemed less involved than the workshop but that might just be my memory. I’ve loved Lucie and David in everything I’ve seen them in, they work well together and Lucie I thought did so well embodying a 13yr old. Massive shout out to the young cast, I was blown away at how strong they were in the workshop and was a little worried they’d not be able to find as strong a cast for the proper run, but I needn’t have been concerned. The strength of their vocals and the nailing of the choreography was a delight. The first transition from young Jenna to old Jenna looked really slick from where I was with all the lighting and projection effects. In general, I was really impressed with how slick the whole show was given this was a first preview and had a young cast too! They must have worked very hard in rehearsals. Overall, I think this is a really enjoyable show and one I could see having a bigger future.

 

Well, I enjoyed that this afternoon from Director Andy Fickman, his creative team and cast. With a 2.5hr run time this afternoon, it was definitely entertaining enough to keep me engaged and as a viewing experience offered far more than Mean Girls did at the Savoy in the rom-com genre of MT shows with more heart and soul on show. Though watching today, this one certainly has a MG vibe to it (with a set design from Colin Richmond) the use of multiple video screens to help set the different scenes, though at least there is a bit more if a set to it than MG (though nothing to give a wow factor) and when utilised filled the stage nicely but didn't swamp it. Sets included - apartment / house / office / school hall.  As the first preview, despite an early mishap with a missing mobile phone on set which Lucie handled brilliantly with great humour has a stage crew member threw it to her from the wings, I certainly felt it went well and no obvious issues with lighting cues or sound issues from where I was sat in the stalls (Q4). The show is at stage level only so there shouldn't be any issues sat in the front row of the stalls.  For the cast, Lucie and David were great and had some wonderful stage chemistry together with vocals to match from the pair. As Jenna, Lucie got the comedy spot on with the child-like humour. Grace came across well as the villain of the show as Lucy. As for Dom Andersen as Jen's boyfriend, I am starting to think that he has it written in his contracts to have at least 1 shirtless scene as again, he couldn't keep his clothes on again, though he plays hos role well despite limited stage time. A special mention to the young kids in the show. A really talented bunch this afternoon who more than held their own against their more experienced colleagues. Overall, a really fun and watchable cast. The score from Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner was fine (a mix of rock and pop style mainly with a few ballads chucked in) with helping in moving the book forward. Whilst I wouldn't say every number was a banger for me, there were a few standouts - Act 1's title song - "13 going on 30" and "That moment in time" and "Why can't we fly" both in Act 2. Though I would say none of the songs post visit have stuck with me. The score was brought to life with a 5-piece band housed in the orchestra pit. The band under MD Amy Shackcloth consisted of 2 x keys, 2 x guitars, bass and drums.  Having had a couple of hours to chew over my viewing, there was enough emotional punch with the plot blended with comedy for a worthwhile trip to Manchester.  Rating 4 stars