Jennifer Garner joins 13 Going On 30 musical team as executive producer

Jennifer Garner has boarded the producing team for the musical version of 13 Going On 30. 

Premiering this autumn in Manchester, the piece is based on the 2004 film by Revolution Studios. It follows Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old who wishes to escape high school difficulties and finds herself transformed overnight into a 30-year-old magazine editor with an unexpected perspective on life.

Lucie Jones will lead the show – marking her second appearance as a Jenna in a musical based on a much-loved ’00s film.

The show’s book has been adapted by the original screenwriters, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, who have collaborated with songwriters Michael Weiner and Alan Zachary, known for their work on First Date and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Garner explained her move, saying: “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? 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.”

Watch a performance from the show here:

Andy Fickman (Heathers) will direct, while Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) will choreograph. They’ll be joined by set designer Colin Richmond, musical supervisor Alan Williams (also responsible for dance, vocal and incidental music arrangements), WhatsOnStage Award-winning lighting designer Howard Hudson, sound designer Adam Fisher, and video designer George Reeve. Orchestrations are by Williams, Weiner and Zachary. Casting is handled by Will Burton, while children’s casting and children’s general management are by Keston and Keston. Production management comes from Simon Gooding and Matt Jones for Gooding Jones Production Management. The producers for the show include ROYO, Revolution Studios, Wendy Federman, and Phil Kenny

The musical will play at Manchester Opera House, opening on 21 September 2025 for a limited season to 12 October.