"She's one of the most generous souls I know. You're a beautiful, beautiful person. I love you," Hugh Jackman said.
After seeing a performance of her former co-star Hugh Jackman's Broadway musical The Music Man, Nicole Kidman shocked both the crowd and Jackman by placing a surprise bid of $100,000 (A$150,000, £83,000) for a hat that Hugh Jackman had signed. Jackman was selling the accessory as part of a charity auction to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, according to PEOPLE. In the clip, Jackman and co-star Nicholas Ward are seen conducting the auction onstage while dressed as characters and urging the audience to outbid the $19,000 starting bid. The audience cheers Kidman's response of "a hundred thousand," and Jackman's jaw drops when the actress enters the auditorium and approaches him for a hug while wearing a neat, oversized black suit.
The generosity emanating from #NicoleKidman leaves me speechless! You ARE amazing. Thank you for your friendship and support! @MusicManBway @NicholastheWard @BCEFA pic.twitter.com/ZMUsgdIqAU
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 27, 2022
The enthusiastic response to Kidman's shouted $100,000 offer from the audience prompted Jackman to quip, "I just want to be clear, this is not Australian dollars." She tried the hat on before returning to her seat after receiving it from Jackman. Despite being two of the most well-known Australian performers in Hollywood, Jackman and Kidman have only occasionally worked together. The two voiced the parents of the tap-dancing pariah Mumble in the 2006 animated film Happy Feet and starred in Baz Luhrmann's 2008 adventure epic Australia. Broadway's The Music Man has been the biggest hit of the year, with average weekly ticket sales of $2 to $3 million. The performance will end on January 15, 2023, per Variety.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Broadway Cares said that they are blessed with friends across Broadway, but there is no greater champion than Hugh Jackman. Nicole Kidman's extraordinary gift is by far the largest donation for any one auction item ever. That’s 20,000 meals and 2,000 doctor visits this holiday season for those living with HIV/AIDS, struggling with COVID-19, or facing other life-threatening challenges,” Broadway Cares executive director Tom Viola said.“Donations made at The Music Man, all across Broadway, Off-Broadway and at national touring productions will provide meals and medication, health care and hope this holiday season.”
“Ms. Kidman’s remarkable support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on Saturday night was wonderful to see and her extraordinary generosity will be deeply appreciated by the entire Broadway community,” Kate Horton, producer on The Music Man, shared in a statement, via Variety. Days after being announced as the winner of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award, Nicole Kidman made this appearance. The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles will host a gala on June 10. She will be the first Australian to win the accolade. Jackman said on stage that Nicole is one of the most generous souls he knows. "I've known Nic for almost 30 years. I've worked with her. I can tell you, this is not a surprise." Kidman stated, “I love you. I love Broadway. And I love what they do, Broadway Cares, but I also want to say this show is extraordinary,” as she took the stage at the Winter Garden Theatre.
References:
https://people.com/theater/nicole-kidman-bids-100k-hugh-jackman-music-man-hat-charity/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Matt Winkelmeyer
