Foreigner Gets Its Own Musical

Maxazine | February 12, 2026 | News | No Comments

In collaboration with legendary rock band Foreigner, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and Long Island University’s Post Theatre Company proudly announce the world’s first production of “Feels Like the First Time – The Foreigner Musical.” The show runs for eleven performances at the Little Theatre on LIU’s Brookville campus, from Friday, April 17, through Sunday, April 26, 2026. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 13 at noon at TillesCenter.org/FLTFT.

Set in 1985, the musical follows an ordinary suburban family whose lives are turned upside down when they win an extraordinary MTV sweepstakes: a weekend visit from rock icon Simon Bash, complete with a private backyard concert. As the Davis family eagerly prepares for Simon’s arrival, their neighbours scramble to leverage the superstar’s presence — hoping to boost their social standing, save their careers, or land a prom date. Powered by some of rock’s biggest hits, the show tells the story of three families who need to get rocked to take risks, mend old wounds, and rediscover what love really means.

With more Top 10 hits than Journey and as many as Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner features strongly in every category in Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time” listing. At times, the band’s weekly catalogue sales have eclipsed those of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Aerosmith and most of their Classic Rock peers. With 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million.

Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Long, Long Way From Home” and the worldwide #1 hit and member of Spotify’s exclusive Billions Club, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Foreigner still rock the charts almost 50 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard album chart success.

The musical features Foreigner classics, including “Cold as Ice,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Urgent,” “Hot-Blooded,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is,” among others.

The production features a company of 26, including primarily LIU students and select professional actors. It is directed by Tony-nominated Adam Pascal (“Rent,” “Aida,” “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” “Something Rotten!”), who also serves as Long Island University’s inaugural 2025/26 Artist-in-Residence. The creative team includes book writer Stephen Garvey, orchestrator and arranger David Abbinanti, and choreographer Lorna Ventura.

Pascal said: “This new show represents everything I love about making theatre — great music, fun storytelling, and meaningful collaboration. Partnering with Foreigner, Tilles Center, and LIU Post Theatre Company to develop a brand-new musical in an academic setting creates a rare and powerful environment where artists and students are building something together from the ground up.”

“Feels Like the First Time – The Foreigner Musical” is produced under Long Island University’s newly launched New Works Initiative, established by Tom Dunn, Creative Producer, Executive and Artistic Director of Tilles Center, and Dean of LIU’s College of Arts and Design. The initiative serves as an incubator for developing and refining new theatrical works by both emerging and established writers.

“This production launches our New Works Initiative, a bold new collaboration between Tilles Center and Long Island University, dedicated to developing original work and creating one-of-a-kind experiential learning for LIU students,” said Dunn.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Foreigner founding member Al Greenwood will be present on opening night. “The songs of Foreigner and a Broadway-style musical fit well together,” he said. “It’s beyond exciting for me to see the songs we created years ago come to life in another art form.”

Foreigner manager Phil Carson added, “We’re excited to collaborate with the next generation of theatrical artists at LIU to reimagine these iconic songs for the stage. This partnership gives the music an energetic new life in a theatrical setting.”