Theater News

Hayley Mills Hosts ”Only Make Believe” Benefit Tonight

Hayley Mills as a child starin Polyanna
Hayley Mills as a child star
in Polyanna

Hayley Mills will host a one-night-only concert tonight — Monday, November 4 — to benefit Only Make Believe, a charity that brings theater to disadvantaged children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

The event will take place at the Westside Theatre, located at 407 West 43rd Street in Manhattan. It will feature performers from several current Broadway shows, including Brad Oscar from The Producers, Marc Kudisch from Thoroughly Modern Millie, Louise Pitre from Mamma Mia, Shoshana Bean from Hairspray, and Chad Kimball from Into the Woods. Also scheduled to perform are Broadway veterans Brian d’Arcy James, Liz Larsen, Ann Harada, Anne Runolfsson, Janet Metz, Orfeh, Kevin Pariseau, Linda Romoff, and Andrew Lippa.

Only Make Believe was established by Dena Hammerstein in memory of her late husband James, the son of lyricist Oscar Hammerstein. Now in its third year, the program has provided hundreds of workshops for thousands of children in New York City medical facilities, employing a professional troupe of multi-racial, multi-ethnic actors to actively engage the children in performance. Since trips to the theater would be too overwhelming for many of the children it serves, Only Make Believe brings the theater to them. According to information supplied by the organization, actors arrive at the facility armed with a trunk load of colorful costumes, props, and backdrops. Scripts are tailored in such a way as to help the children deal with their fears and problems. The trunk is then left behind as a gift to the facility, encouraging play to continue after the Only Make Believe sessions are complete.

Tonight’s concert will begin at 8pm. All tickets are $50 and are available by phoning 646-336-1500.