Hollywood star Nicole Kidman received a warm welcome on Broadway Saturday evening when she appeared in a revival of Hugh Jackman’s “The Music Man.” As Variety reports, during an auction for the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Kidman made an appearance by placing a whopping $100,000 bid for a hat signed by Jackman.
Jackman shared a video of the meeting on Twitter, thanking his fellow Australian actor for his support. Kidman took the microphone after taking the stage at the Winter Garden Theatre, saying, “I love you. I love Broadway. And I love what they do, Broadway Cares, but I also want to say That this show is extraordinary.”
“I’ve known Nick for almost 30 years. I’ve worked with him. I can tell you it’s no surprise to me. He’s one of the most generous people I know,” Jackman quoted Variety as saying. “You are a beautiful person. I love you. Thank you.”
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According to Variety, Kidman’s bid of $100,000 drew an enthusiastic response from the crowd, with Jackman joking “I just want to be clear, it’s not an Australian dollar.” (Under current conversion rates, Kidman’s bid is $148,744 Australian dollars.)
The cast of ‘Music Man’ raised funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at the conclusion of a recent performance.
“It was wonderful to see Ms. Kidman’s remarkable support for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on Saturday night, and her extraordinary generosity will be appreciated by the entire Broadway community,” The Music Man producer Kate Horton said in a statement.
“Broadway Cares is blessed with friends on Broadway. But we have no greater champion than Hugh Jackman. This extraordinary gift from his friend Nicole Kidman is the largest donation ever for a single auction item. It will provide 20,000 meals and 2,000 Doctors go on this holiday. ‘Tis the season for those living with HIV/AIDS, battling COVID-19 or other life-threatening challenges, said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Care.
“Donations made to the Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring productions of ‘The Music Man’ will provide food and medicine, health care and hope this holiday season,” Viola said.