See Who's Starring in Adam Pascal-Directed Premiere of Feels Like the First Time—The Foreigner Musical

Casting is now set for the premiere of Feels Like the First Time—The Foreigner Musical, which will play 11 performances at the Little Theatre on Long Island University’s Brookville campus April 17–26 under the direction of Rent Tony nominee Adam Pascal.

The collaboration between the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and LIU’s Post Theatre Company features a book by Stephen Garvey (The Bardy Bunch, Five Golden Rings), orchestrations and arrangements by David Abbinanti (Heartbreak Hotel, Saturday Night Fever: The Musical), and choreography by Lorna Ventura (The Other Americans, Destiny of Desire). The cast primarily includes LIU students with a few professional actors.

Leading the company will be Jeremy Abram (Rent, All Shook Up) as Charlie Blaney, Julia Cama as Luanne Randall, Sean Cullen Carroll as Bruce Davis, Mikey Di Graci as Marshall Davis, Morgan Feinstein as Darlin’ Betty/Wendi, Sara Fetgatter as Val Davis, Allie George as Hailey Goz, Michelle Jennings as Jan “Jan-ma” Randall, Olivier Lubin as T.J. Blaney, Steven Makropoulos (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) as Simon Bash, Anna Leigh Skrip as Paris Borchers, Brooke Rhobotham as Tania Davis, and Annie Watkins (Love and Near-Death) as Steph Randall.

The ensemble includes Ava Andrejko, Vita Augugliaro, Lily Bias, Michael Blanco, Joey Ellis Griffing, Kaira Gula, Alex Jolly, Emmi Lee (Dance Captain), Delaney McKay, Claudia McMahon, Keelyn Singleton, Taylor Jazz Woodruff, and Jack Zimm.

Set in 1985, Feels Like the First Time follows an ordinary suburban family whose lives are turned upside down when they win an MTV sweepstakes: a weekend visit from rock icon Simon Bash, capped by a private concert in their backyard. The score includes such Foreigner favorites as “Cold as Ice,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Urgent,” “Hot-Blooded,” “I Want to Know What Love Is,” and more.

Director Pascal said in an earlier statement, “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.”

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Founding Foreigner member Al Greenwood adds, “The songs of Foreigner and a Broadway-style musical fit well together. Our songs tell stories, and they complement the story of this musical rather well. It’s beyond exciting for me to see the songs we created years ago come to life in another art form. I am thrilled with the show Adam and the LIU team have created, and I know our fans will be, too.”

The creative team also includes musical director Mark Christine, scenic designer Anthony Freitas, lighting designer Chris D'Angelo, costume designer Matsy Stinson, production coordinator Sean Richards, casting directors Jamibeth Margolis and Meredith Hoddeson, and production stage manager Alyssa Williams.

Pascal has also been seen on Broadway in Pretty Woman: The Musical, Disaster!, Something Rotten!, Memphis, Chicago, and Aida. He serves as Long Island University’s inaugural 2025-2026 Artist-in-Residence.

With 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, the rock band Foreigner, which has sold more than 80 million albums, features Luis Carlos Maldonado on lead vocals and guitar, Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein on keyboards, lead guitarist Bruce Watson, Chris Frazier on drums, and John Roth on guitar.

Feels Like the First Time—The Foreigner Musical is produced under Long Island University’s New Works Initiative, established by Tom Dunn.

Tickets are available by visiting TillesCenter.org/FLTFT.