Benefit Concert “Foreigner: The Hits Unplugged” at Tilles Center Hosted by Lou Gramm Set for September 5, 2025. Ticket information at TillesCenter.org/ForeignerBenefit.
May 8, 2025 – New York, NY – Legendary rock band FOREIGNER is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and Long Island University’s Post Theatre Company to develop and stage the world premiere production of “Feels Like The First Time – The Foreigner Musical.”
Broadway luminary Adam Pascal (Rent, Aida, Cabaret, Chicago, Something Rotten) and inaugural Artist-in-Residence at Long Island University will direct Feels Like the First Time and lead a creative team that includes book writer Stephen Garvey (The Bardy Bunch, Five Golden Rings, Stages of Rita: The Rita Hayworth Musical) and orchestrator and arranger David Abbinanti (Heartbreak Hotel, Saturday Night Fever The Musical, Ghost The Musical). Feels Like the First Time will also feature 14 of Foreigner’s iconic hit songs. This new musical will receive a developmental workshop and staged reading fall 2025. The fully-staged world premiere production will run April 17–26, 2026 at LIU’s Little Theatre.
“We are thrilled to partner with the next generation of theatrical talent at LIU to bring this story to life in a bold new way,” said Foreigner manager Phil Carson. Feels Like The First Time – The Foreigner Musical is a celebration of the music that has connected generations—and this collaboration gives it a vibrant new home on the stage.”
Tom Dunn, Executive & Artistic Director, Tilles Center, and Dean, College of Arts & Design, Long Island University noted, “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.”
To support the production, FOREIGNER will appear at an exclusive benefit concert hosted by original lead singer Lou Gramm at LIU’s 2,200 seat Tilles Center on September 5, 2025. The evening will feature a pre-show cocktail reception for 50 special guests, including photo opportunities with the band and premium seating for the performance. Access to this VIP experience will be offered to supporters who make donations at varying levels, which may include a limited edition signed official RIAA-certified gold record plaque and/or signed electric guitar, photo opportunity with the band, a set list, and/or other benefits.
Foreigner. Photo Credit: Kamal Asar
For more information on donations and news of an exciting opportunity for a local high school choir to be part of the show, please visit TillesCenter.org/ForeignerBenefit.
All proceeds will directly benefit Feels Like the First Time and the LIU and Tilles Center’s New Works Initiative. As a registered charitable institution, LIU’s fundraising efforts qualify for tax-deductible donations subject to government guidelines. Additional tickets will be available to the general public starting at $35.
This unique partnership highlights FOREIGNER’s continued commitment to education, the arts, and giving back to communities that inspire and sustain creative excellence. Director Adam Pascal shared, “As a Long Island native, it’s an honor to direct this new Foreigner musical and to serve as LIU’s first Artist-in-Residence. I grew up on these hits and am excited to collaborate on bringing this production to life.”
Adam Pascal
Foreigner founder and songwriter Mick Jones stated, “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."
Mick Jones continues to elevate FOREIGNER’s influence and guide the band to new horizons with his stylistic songwriting, indelible guitar hooks and multi-layered talents. Band members Kelly Hansen; Luis Maldonado; Bruce Watson; Jeff Pilson; Michael Bluestein; and Chris Frazier provide an unprecedented level of energy that has resulted in the re-emergence of the astounding music that speaks to FOREIGNER‘s enduring popularity. Streams of FOREIGNER’s hits are over 15 million per week.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets and VIP packages for Foreigner: The Hits Unplugged 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. Tickets can be purchased online at tillescenter.org or ticketmaster.com, in-person at Tilles Center's Tantleff Box Office or by telephone at 516.299.3100. The box office, located at 720 Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville, New York, is open Monday to Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. Fees are associated with all orders. There are no refunds. Information on donation packages visit TillesCenter.org/ForeignerBenefit.
ABOUT FOREIGNER
With more Billboard Top 10 hits than Journey, and just as many as Fleetwood Mac, 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,” 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 “Top 200” album success.For more information on FOREIGNER, please visit:
www.foreigneronline.com
www.youtube.com/user/FWebTeam
ABOUT TILLES CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University Post’s mission is to engage and enrich our community through arts performance, education, and advocacy. For more than 40 years, Tilles Center has hosted and presented more than 50 performances each season by world-renowned artists in music, theater, and dance. The nonprofit also supports thousands of children and adult learners each year through its robust arts education programs, providing arts experiences to underserved communities — from low-income school districts and those on the autism spectrum to local seniors. Tilles Center is located on the beautiful Long Island University Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville NY. Learn more at tillescenter.org.
ABOUT LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY (LIU)
Long Island University, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education, providing high quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its “value added” to student outcomes, LIU has a network of over 285,000 alumni, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information.
ABOUT LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY POST THEATRE COMPANY
The Post Theatre Company (PTC) is the resident ensemble of the Theatre Arts Program at Long Island University’s School of Performing Arts. Known for its bold and socially engaged productions, PTC offers students professional-calibre experience in performance. The company presents a full season of work and has earned national and international recognition, including awards from the Kennedy Center and performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. PTC is committed to new work, artistic innovation, and preparing students for professional careers. Learn more at liu.edu/post/ptc.
ABOUT ADAM PASCAL
Adam Pascal is a Tony-nominated actor and director best known for originating the role of Roger in Broadway’s Rent, earning Drama League and Obie Awards. His Broadway credits include Aida, Cabaret, Memphis, Chicago, Something Rotten!, and Pretty Woman: The Musical. Beyond performing, Pascal has directed regional productions of Rent and Something Rotten! on Long Island, bringing his Broadway experience to the next generation of artists. In addition to his stage work, he continues to shape the performing arts through film and television roles.
ABOUT STEPHEN GARVEY
Stephen Garvey created the Off-Broadway musical The Bardy Bunch: The War of the Families Partridge and Brady, now enjoying productions across America. His book writing credits include Five Golden Rings: A Greeting Card Channel Holiday Musical and Stages of Rita: The Rita Hayworth Musical. Stephen’s co-authored screenplay 9/11 Kevin was honored with a staged reading at the Nantucket Film Festival and his screenplays Chasing Disaster and My Dead Dad’s Musical Extravaganza are currently in development.
ABOUT DAVID ABBINANTI
