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May you never have a child who spends time in a hospital for any significant duration. But if you do, may you be lucky enough to encounter an organization like Only Make Believe. I will never forget a very awful December, when one of my children was admitted for a week-long stay. We stepped onto another planet, where the parents all seemed flattened by their distress, and the children reduced to whatever was outlined on their medical charts.

Only Make Believe celebrated its 25th Anniversary Gala on Monday, October 13, at the historic Shubert Theatre. Hosted by John Oliver, the evening honored champions of philanthropy and raised vital funds to support Only Make Believe’s transformative arts programming. Check out photos from the evening below!

“Only Make Believe” creates interactive theatre experiences directly with children in hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities. Inspiring joy and imagination, its 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.

Its programming empowers children to explore their imagination, engage in critical thinking, and discover the fun-filled experience of expressing emotions through interactive theatre.

Dame Anna Wintour appeared visibly emotional during the Only Make Believe Gala on Broadway in New York City on October 13. Attended by HELLO!, the evening honored its award recipients while raising funds to support Only Make Believe’s interactive theatre programming for children in hospitals, care facilities, and schools through special education programs. Anna, Vogue's global editorial director, was the James Hammerstein Award honoree. The 75-year-old's voice wavered as she reflected on her upbringing in the theater, the importance of sharing that experience with her daughter, the current political and medical climate, and how theater continues to give her hope for the future.

Joe DiPietro and Brad Oscar helmed the benefit performance at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

Just last night, Only Make Believe celebrated its 25th Anniversary Gala at the St James Theatre to recognize those who have shown support through their dedication to philanthropy while raising crucial funds for their interactive theatre programming.