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Just For One Day is a jukebox musical with a book by John O'Farrell. Told through a modern day perspective, it tells the story of the events and circumstances that occurred leading up to Live Aid, a 1985 benefit concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia. The title of the musical is named after a line in "Heroes", a song by David Bowie that he performed at the event.

The musical premiered at The Old Vic in January 2024, and will make its North American premiere at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in January 2025.

Background
Geldof helped reach out to the artists to clear the rights to use their songs in the musical. David Bowie's estate was the frirst Queen's founding members Brian May and Pete Townshend https://deadline.com/2024/02/live-aid-musical-bob-geldof-breaking-baz-1235824602/

Act I
In the present-day, several people gather to reflect on their memories and experiences at Live Aid, including Suzanne, Marsha, Jim, and Amara, and how it made them feel like they could change the world ("Heroes"). Bob Geldof dimisses their idealized image of what Live Aid was, and says the event was a nightmare that he's had to live with. Jemma, a young student studying Live Aid in her history class, challenges Bob and argues her generation needs to know what happened so they can learn from it to actually make a change in the world. Bob reluctantly lets them continue. The group, led by John, performs Status Quo's opening number from Live Aid ("Rockin' All Over the World"). After, Jemma asks how Live Aid actually started.

In 1984, Suzanne and Tim in a record shop talking about famous musicians, while Suzanne is oblivious to Tim's flirting. Back in the present-day, Suzanne remembers the first record she ever bought was of The Boomtown Rats, where she goads Bob into mockingly performing their first hit ("Rat Trap"). As punk music's popularity declines, Bob enters a midlife crisis until he learns about the famine in Ethopia ("Drive"). Bob and Jemma begin to bond over their anger at injustices in the world, with Bob sharing that he knew he needed to turn to music to create a response that people would listen to. In 1984, Bob approaches Midge Ure with the idea of creating a charity record to fundraise to raise money for the famine ("Dancing with Tears in My Eyes"). With the help of Marsha and Jim, they form Band Aid, a group of musicians who will record the charity record ("True / Every Breath You Take"). At the studio, Bob and Midge are initially forced to record the song themselves, however the other musicians eventually arrive ("Do They Know It's Christmas?"). Jemma questions some of the lyrics, but Bob insists he needed to get it written and recorded as fast as possible. Bob's wife listens to the song, and encourages him to submit the song to the radio stations. BBC executives are reluctant, but they eventually agree to let Bob promote the song on the radio ("Radio Ga Ga").

Margaret Thatcher refuses to waive the government tax (VAT) on sales of the record. She claims everyone would like to keep the tax they pay and that people should not rely on charity ("Stop Your Sobbing"). Meanwhile, Amara is furious that wealthy celebrities released a song pretending to care about the famine in Ethiopia. She explains her heartbreak not having enough food to feed the hundreds of starving children. At the record shop, Suzanne and Tim debate buying the records and not knowing where the funds are going. Tim is dismissive of their ability to make change, leaving Suzanne heartbroken and determined to sell as many copies of the record as she can by herself ("We Are the Champions"). Suzanne and Tim later reconcile.

Bob is angered by the media focusing on him and not on the famine in Ethiopia, while Jemma laments the media is missing the point about what Bob is trying to achieve. Bob learns American musicians are recording their own charity record ("We Are the World"). At a party, Bob meets Suzanne and Tim who convince him he needs to go to Ethiopia to see how the money is being used ("You're the Best Thing"). He also meets John Kennedy, who encourages him to establish a charitable trust. Bob finally demands to meet Margaret, who still refuses to waive the tax ("I'm Still Standing").

Bob travels to Ethiopia, where Amara explains the harsh reality of famine. Bob is brought to tears when he sees the starving children ("Bad"). Amara explains the cartel and government dictatorship keep the money and food. Bob is devastated and determined to make things right by raising even more money to deliver directly to the aid workers ("Message in a Bottle").

Act II
Suzanne explains to Jemma that Harvey Goldsmith was Britain's biggest concert promoter ("Pinball Wizard"). Even though Bob and Harvey both refuse to compromise, they agree to work together. At the press conference, the media are still critical of Bob's motivations and question if any musicians will actually participate. Bob takes control by announcing Mick Jagger and David Bowie are recording a song together, and dismisses Harvey and John's concerns about who is paying for everything and being able to get all the famous musicians to actually participate. Harvey complains about Bob's elaborate vision for Live Aid and his controlling nature, until John shocks everyone when he reveals Paul McCartney has agreed to participate ("Dancing in the Street"). After skipping out on her exam, Suzanne is heartbroken Live Aid tickets are sold out until Tim arrives with tickets ("Summer of '69"). Meanwhile, Amara listens to the radio promote Live Aid, and she prays this will actually work ("Blowin' in the Wind").

In a tense meeting, Harvey storms off after another fight with Bob. Marsha scolds Bob saying that she, John, and Tim have been working tirelessly to bring his dream to life and he cannot give up. Back in the present-day, Suzanne marvels at the impressive lineup on the Live Aid poster, while Jemma questions the lack of racial diversity. Back in 1985, Margaret requests to meet with Bob and tries to convince him to understand her perspective ("Reach Out and Touch"). Bob threatens to convince everyone to vote against her, which leads to Margaret agreeing to make a donation equal to the amount of the taxes received from the record sales. The night before Live Aid, Bob is unable to sleep because of fear and self-doubt ("In the Air Tonight / Why Can't We Live Together").

In the present-day, Suzanne gives her ticket to Jemma as Live Aid begins ("We Will Rock You / King of Rock"). As Midge Ure performs, Harvey begins to stress about keeping the event running on time ("Vienna"). Harvey and Suzanne encourage a nervous Bob to go on stage and perform ("I Don't Like Mondays"). Marsha and Jim run off to have sex ("All You Need Is Love"), and Suzanne and Tim share their first kiss ("Against All Odds"). With a lack of donations coming in, Bob goes on national television and swears as he asks people to give their money to the cause. John and Midge are ecstatic with the donations suddenly flowing in, as the concert continues ("Rebel Rebel / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Into the Groove"). Marsha and Jim marvel at the event that they helped pull off ("Bohemian Rhapsody").

Back in the present-day, Jemma realizes why Suzanne loved Live Aid and wishes they could bottle that spirit. Bob reflects that music cannot make a change, but it can bring people together. Suzanne and Bob also explain how twenty years later Live 8 was held to combat global poverty, and that the same problems still exist another twenty years later in 2024. Bob and Suzanne encourage Jemma to keep asking question and to not stop fighting for change ("My Generation").

Live Aid comes to a close: Bob thanks everyone for their hard work, Amara is grateful for the supplies they received, while Bob realizes that younger generations are rising up and challenging the injustices they see in the world ("Let It Be").

London (2024)
Just For One Day received its world premiere at The Old Vic in London, and was directed by Luke Shepard, choreography by Ebony Molina, and set design by Soutra Gilmour. Performances began on 26 January 2024, in previews, with an official opening night on 13 February 2024. The production closed on 30 March 2024. The musical was the Old Vic's fastest-selling production and was sold out during the show's nine-week run.

The musical was produced by Bob Geldof and Band Aid's permission.

Toronto (2025)
The show is scheduled to have its North American premiere at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, in Toronto. The musical will begin performances on 28 January 2025 and close on 16 March 2025.

Principal cast and characters
Just For One Day is an ensemble show with a large supporting cast, who play various roles such as real-life people, various staff at Live Aid, and audience members. Below are the characters who are most prominently featured in the musical.

Musical numbers
All of the songs performed in the musical were performed by artists wh.Many of the songs in the muscial are performed

Act I
 * Heroes – Company - Suzanne (2024), Marsha, Jim, Amara
 * Rockin' All Over the World – John and Company
 * Rat Trap – Bob and Company
 * Drive – Amara and Company
 * Dancing with Tears in My Eyes – Midge and Company
 * True / Every Breath You Take – Midge, Jim, Marsha and Company
 * Do They Know It's Christmas? – Bob, Midge, and Company
 * Radio Ga Ga – Company
 * Stop Your Sobbing – Margaret
 * We Are the Champions – Suzanne (2024), Maria, and Company
 * We Are the World – Company
 * You're the Best Thing – Company
 * I'm Still Standing – Margaret, Bob, and Company
 * Bad – Company
 * Message in a Bottle – Company

Act II
 * Pinball Wizard – Harvey and Company
 * Dancing in the Street – Marsha, Jim, and Company
 * Summer of '69 – Maria and Company
 * Blowin' in the Wind – Amara and Company
 * Reach Out and Touch – Margaret
 * In the Air Tonight / Why Can't We Live Together – Company
 * We Will Rock You / King of Rock – Company - John and ???
 * Vienna – Midge
 * I Don't Like Mondays – Bob and Company
 * All You Need Is Love – Company
 * Against All Odds – Company
 * Rebel Rebel / Don't You (Forget About Me) / Into the Groove – Company
 * Bohemian Rhapsody – Company
 * My Generation – Jemma and Company
 * Let It Be – Company

Cast recording
In March 2024, it was confirmed that there will be a cast recording of the musical. This announcement was accompanied by the release of Naomi Katiyo's version of "My Generation".

Critical reception
The world premiere production at The Old Vic received mixed reviews.

Arif Akbar of The Guardian praised the "sonic spectacle" of the musical and Els' portrayal of Bob Geldof, but criticized the lack of character development.

Needs cleaning up/editing/finding better reviews: The show's performers, band, and song arrangements were almost universally praised, while the dialogue, character development, and what some reviewers felt was a 'white saviour' sentiment were criticized. The Guardian gave two stars out of five; it criticized the show's "pancake flat characters" and "white saviour stereotypes". The Daily Telegraph gave four stars out of five and described the show as; "this rip-roaring, nostalgia-stirring new juke-box musical". City A.M. gave two stars out of five. It praised the show's performers and production but criticised it as a; "Shockingly tone deaf Live Aid musical". The Times gave three stars out of five, praising the show's live band but criticising the "wooden script" and "gauche celebration". The London Evening Standard gave three stars out of five; it praised the show band and singing performances and, like the Guardian, criticised the show's; "corny dialogue" and "white saviourism". The Independent gave three stars and described the show as; "This Live Aid musical is Bob Geldof’s tribute to... himself". The New Statesman criticised the show's; "sanctimony and second-rate songs". The Financial Times gave three stars; it praised the show's arrangement, delivery of musical numbers, and the choreography. It also noted that; "as drama it struggles" with the script; "awkward and heavy".