91Ô­´´

The show made its world premiere earlier this year at the Old Vic in London, England, where it was met with mixed reviews from critics but became the fastest selling musical in the theatre’s history, selling out the entirety of its nine-week run. 

The jukebox musical features music from rock and pop stars like Madonna, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Diana Ross, some of the more than 75 artists who were part of the 1985 fundraiser. It’s written by John O’Farrell, the British writer behind musicals like “Something Rotten!” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Luke Sheppard, who recently helmed ”& Juliet” and “In Dreams” at Mirvish, will direct the production, . 

Bob Geldof, the Irish singer-songwriter who helped organize Live Aid, has given his nod of approval to the production and is himself depicted in the show. The political activist told the Star he was initially skeptical of the musical but was later won over after attending a workshop ahead of its premiere. 

“That energy — I was shocked and I really mean it,” he said in a Zoom interview, adding that he was overwhelmed by the positive reception from audiences during the run at the Old Vic, where he saw the show five times. 

Casting for the musical’s 91Ô­´´ run has yet to be announced, though Mirvish spokesperson John Karastamatis said the creative team intends to reassemble the original company from London. 

Though “Just for One Day” was initially mounted in the U.K., Mirvish Productions has been following the show’s development since its early workshops and is listed as one of its producers.

“How Live Aid came to be, the passion of the many people involved, the challenges faced and the ultimate triumph — this is the stuff of great storytelling and what would make a great musical,” said David Mirvish in a statement announcing the 91Ô­´´ transfer. 

The two-venue Live Aid concert on July 13, 1985 was one of the most watched television broadcasts of all time. Roughly 1.5 billion people tuned into the event, which was held simultaneously at London’s Wembley Stadium and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. 

The concert ultimately raised more than $140 million for relief in Ethiopia, which at the time was suffering from years of drought, civil war and political upheaval. But the impacts of Live Aid have been debated and called into question for decades, drawing criticism for its form of celebrity activism. 

Some 10 per cent of ticket sales from the 91Ô­´´ run will be donated to the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which supports the prevention and relief of poverty and famine through grants. 

Geldof said he believes the musical will show audiences that “the world is not immutable.” 

“Change is inevitable, change is desirable and change can be steered in the direction you would wish it to be,” he said. 

“Just for One Day” will replace “Mamma Mia!” in Mirvish’s 2024-25 subscription season. While the ABBA-inspired jukebox show will not be part of the mainstage lineup, it will still run in 91Ô­´´ for five weeks this fall.

The other productions previously announced as part of the subscription include “Life of Pi,” “The Lion King,” “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” “Beetlejuice,” “Back to the Future: The Musical” and “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.”