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Courtesy of Annerin Productions

Courtesy of Annerin Productions

Jukebox Hero: The Musical, the stage production showcasing many of Foreigner’s classic hits, gets its official premiere tonight at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto.

Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones, who’s written or co-written nearly all of the group’s songs, tells ABC Radio he was “blown away” when he saw a preview performance of the show last year.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but I certainly wasn’t expecting to be moving about in my seat,” he reveals.

The musical was written by Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement of The Commitments fame, and uses Foreigner’s songs to help tell the tale of a rock star from an economically depressed Pennsylvania town who returns home to play a benefit concert for the financially struggling residents.

Jones says the musical’s story addresses issues facing many people today.

“It deals with the current…socioeconomic state of things in America,” he notes. “It brings a realization of [what’s] happened to people’s lives — the chaos, the uncertainty, the loss of jobs, the whole imbalance in America, and in the world.”

At the musical’s center is Foreigner’s 1981 hit “Juke Box Hero,” which Mick says echoes the main character’s story while offering a sentiment to which many people can relate.

“It [talks] about the dream of success as a rock lead singer or a guitar player,” he maintains. “[And it reflects] that hope and optimism about creating something that you’re passionate about.”

Jukebox Hero: The Musical will play at the Ed Mirvish Theatre through February 24, with two performances scheduled for the 23rd and the 24th. Tickets are on sale now at JukeboxHeroMusical.com.

Jones tells ABC Radio that he hopes the production will eventually make it to Broadway. “The aim is seeing how far we can get,” he says.

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