Only Make Believe held its 27th Anniversary GALA on Monday November 9th at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the recap.
Only Make Believe is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing the magic of interactive theatre and music to children in hospitals, schools, and care facilities
The “James Hammerstein Award” was presented to multi-platinum Grammy award-winner singer-songwriter Rob Thomas and philanthropist Marisol Thomas, recognizing their profound influence and steadfast commitment to service.
The “Clay Stefanki Award” was presented to seven-year-old Hazel Estrin, a student at Tribeca Prep School, celebrating her inspiring involvement with Only Make Believe.
The Star studded lineup included appearances and performances from 4 Time Emmy Award winner, Golden Globe winner & Tony Award nominee Jim Parsons; Supermodel, Television Host & Fashion Icon Coco Rocha; Vogue Magazine Senior Editor Chloe Schama; Tony Award winner Ali Louis Bourzgui; Grammy Award and Tony award nominee Deborah Cox; Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Lena Hall; Schmigaddon!’sJess LeProtto; Tony Award winner Bonnie Milligan; High School Musical The Musical The Series star Kate Reinders; Masquerade and Hamilton star Nik Walker. The evening also included a special reunion performance from The Producers with two-time Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick and Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar.
It also featured a surprise performance with Rob Thomas being plucked from the audience by Lena Hall and closing the show with a standing room only encore of the two singing Queen’s “Under Pressure.” The event raised over $1 million for the non-profit charity.
The event was directed by Brad Oscar with musical direction by Steven Jamail.
Background on Only Make Believe
This year marks the 27th anniversary of Only Make Believe, an organization that has profoundly impacted the lives of over 115,000 children since its founding in 1999. For over a quarter-century, Only Make Believe has dedicated itself to enhancing the lives of children with medically fragile conditions and developmental disabilities in the New York and Washington, D.C. areas.
Through the enchanting medium of interactive theatre, professional actors collaborate with these young individuals – whether in-person or virtually – to empower them to embrace their imagination, engage in critical thinking, and express their emotions.
Only Make Believe creates interactive theatre experiences directly with children in hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities. Inspiring joy and imagination, our professional actors engage children with medically fragile conditions and developmental disabilities, fostering vital social and emotional growth.
Only Make Believe is dedicated to the principle that engaging a child’s imagination is a crucial part of learning and developing essential life skills. Our programming empowers children to explore their imagination, engage in critical thinking, and discover the fun-filled experience of expressing emotions through interactive theatre.
For more information on Only Make Believe, visit its official website and Instagram page.
