NEWS TICKER
David Hunter and Grace Mouat Join World Premiere Cast of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical
Published on
May 29, 2025
By
Julia Jordan
West End Stars to Appear Alongside Lucie Jones in New Stage Adaptation of Cult Rom-Com
Producers ROYO, Revolution Studios, Wendy Federman, Phil Kenny and executive producer Jennifer Garner have announced that David Hunter and Grace Mouat will join the cast of 13 Going on 30 – The Musical, opening at the Manchester Opera House on 21 September 2025 for a limited three-week run.
Hunter and Mouat will star as Matt Flamhaff and Lucy Wyman, respectively, joining previously announced Lucie Jones in the lead role of Jenna Rink, the teenager who magically wakes up in her thirty-year-old body with a dream job—and an unexpected perspective on life.
A Star-Packed Cast for a Coming-of-Age Classic
David Hunter is best known for his West End performances in Kinky Boots, Waitress and Once. He recently originated the role of Henry in The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical, and was nominated for Best Performer in a Male Identifying Role in a Musical in 2020.
Grace Mouat’s credits include SIX, & Juliet, and The Great British Bake-Off Musical. She received a 2024 WhatsOnStage Award nomination for her supporting role in the West End production of Mean Girls.
They are joined by:
Caleb Roberts as Richard
Andrew Berlin as Kyle Grandy
Dominic Andersen as Alex
Ross Dawes as Wayne
Suzie McAdam as Bev
Iván Fernández Gonzáles as Darius Mark
Additional cast includes Tia Antione-Charles, George Bray, Elliot David Parkes, Sarah Drake, Rose Galbraith, Jenna Innes, Henry Lawes, Rachel Moran, Amy Parker, Jack Rowell, Rebecca-Daisy Wellington, and Kevin Yates, as well as a large children’s ensemble.
From Big Screen Favourite to Stage Sensation
Based on the 2004 romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, 13 Going on 30 – The Musical tells the story of Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who wishes to fast-forward through adolescence. When her birthday wish is granted, she finds herself suddenly “thirty, flirty, and thriving” in Manhattan—but realises her seemingly perfect life may not be what she hoped for.
The musical features original songs by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (First Date, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) and a book by Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, the film’s original screenwriters.
Creative Team
The production is directed by Andy Fickman (Heathers, She’s the Man) with:
Choreography: Jennifer Weber (& Juliet)
Set Design: Colin Richmond
Musical Supervision & Arrangements: Alan Williams
Lighting Design: Howard Hudson
Sound Design: Adam Fisher
Video Design: George Reeve
Costume Design: Gabriela Tylesova
Wigs, Hair & Makeup: Sam Cox
Casting: Will Burton CDG
Children’s Casting: Keston & Keston
Musical Direction: Amy Shackcloth
Production Management: Gooding Jones Production Management
The production is produced by ROYO, Revolution Studios, Wendy Federman, Phil Kenny, with Todd Garner, Marla Levine, Dean Stolber and executive producer Jennifer Garner.
Performance and Ticket Information
Venue: Manchester Opera House
Dates: 21 September – 12 October 2025
Address: 3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP
Tickets: From £15
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday – Saturday: 7.30pm
Thursday & Saturday: 2.30pm
Sunday: 3.00pm
West End-Ready Premiere Begins in Manchester
With an acclaimed creative team, a beloved story, and a standout cast of stage favourites, 13 Going on 30 – The Musical is poised to charm audiences when it debuts in Manchester this autumn. Early booking is recommended for this strictly limited premiere run.
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