Critics have been left feeling “thirty, flirty and thriving” by the world premiere of 13 Going On 30: The Musical, a new stage show based on the classic 2004 Jennifer Garner movie that boasts one of Wicked‘s former West End leads in the cast. The production, now playing at the Manchester Opera House, is written by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, who also penned the original film. New songs by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner have been thrown in for good measure, with Garner herself on board as an executive producer.

Lucie Jones, who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2009 before going on to defy gravity as Elphaba in the London stage version of Wicked, takes on the role of Jenna Rink. And she’s come in for particular praise in the first reviews following yesterday’s gala night.

In a glowing five-star verdict, Manchester Evening News said she “completely wows with charisma and vocal agility”, describing the show in general as a “flawless mix of humour and pure nostalgia, with some tear-jerker moments”.

The Guardian also applauded Jones for her “lovably goofy” performance, while the show’s younger cast of teens were branded “excellent”.

Related: Best film and TV tours for 2025

WhatsOnStage gave a four-star review and said the piece “knows it’s a frosted cupcake of a musical, and it leans all the way in. It’s big, it’s bright, and it’s gloriously over the top”.

In another four-star critique, West End Best Friend called Jones “utterly perfect” and added that her co-star David Hunter (in the role made famous by Mark Ruffalo), “blows the roof off with exceptional vocals”.

Theatre Weekly agreed, saying: “With strong central performances and a nostalgic heart, it feels like a production that could grow into a sparkling addition to the stage musical canon.”

Related: Marvel’s Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner share 13 Going on 30 sequel idea

This new interpretation was first announced back in 2023, with Goldsmith and Yuspa saying at the time: “When we poured our middle school pain into the movie 13 Going on 30, we never quite imagined it would stick around to this day as a rom-com parents show their kids, a Halloween costume, a scene in an Ariana Grande music video, and a teen sleepover staple.

“Now we’re thrilled to be bringing our pain across the pond with 13 Going on 30 The Musical… We can’t wait for a new generation to grab some Razzles and feel thirty, flirty, and thriving.”

Last year, Garner reunited with her original co-stars Ruffalo and Judy Greer to mark the movie’s 20th anniversary.

13 Going On 30 is streaming on Netflix and Prime Video in the UK.

13 Going On 30: The Musical is playing at Manchester Opera House until 12 October. Tickets are available now.

The new edition of Living Legends is here! Buy Gaga in newsagents or online, priced at just £8.99.

Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online; specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who’ll listen.