Feels Like The First Time - The Foreigner Musical premiering in 2026

Photo credit: Kamal Asar

A musical based on the hits of Foreigner has been announced.

Today, Foreigner, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, and Long Island University’s Post Theatre Company have revealed the 2026 world premiere of Feels Like The First Time – The Foreigner Musical. The musical will feature 14 of Foreigner’s biggest hits. The production will be co-directed by Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida, Cabaret, Chicago) and inaugural Artist-in-Residence at Long Island University. Writer Stephen Garvey (Five Golden Rings, Stages of Rita: The Rita Hayworth Musical) and orchestrator/arranger David Abbinanti (Saturday Night Fever The Musical, Ghost The Musical) will also work on the musical.

Foreigner founder Mick Jones said this about the production:

“When I wrote Feels Like The First Time, I had no idea how far that song would take Foreigner. It is a personal thrill for me to know that the amazing Adam Pascal has elected to use it as the title of our new musical. I am very confident that he and the whole team will create something very special, and I look forward to seeing the completed work in 2026, the 50th Anniversary year of the founding of Foreigner."

Tom Dunn, Executive & Artistic Director, Tilles Center, and Dean, College of Arts & Design, Long Island University also said:

“This musical marks the launch of our New Works Initiative — an exciting new initiative from Tilles Center and Long Island University to develop original work. We’re proud to kick it off with the iconic music of Foreigner. And we’re thrilled to engage our LIU theatre students and Long Island community in doing so.”

A developmental workshop and staged reading of the musical will take place this fall. The musical is run from April 17 through April 26, 2026 at LIU’s Little Theatre.

On September 5, original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm will host a benefit concert featuring the band at LIU’s Tilles Center. All proceeds from the event will go towards the new musical and Tilles Center’s New Works Initiative. More information about the benefit concert can be found here. Tickets for the benefit concert will go on sale to Tilles Center Members and Foreigner Fan Club Members on Monday, May 12, Tilles Center Subscribers on Tuesday, May 13, and to the general public on Friday, May 16.

Foreigner are currently touring in South America right now with a trek across North America taking place this summer. Tour dates and tickets can be found here.