The Salvation Army has a red kettle where they depend on donations to help fund their services; on Broadway, it’s a red bucket.  And this fall, thanks to a record setting donation, Broadway Cares topped the $5 million mark during their fall campaign that raises money to aid those of the entertainment community in need.

Actress Nicole Kidman made a $100,000 donation to “The Music Man” in an auction for the straw hat worn by Hugh Jackman in the musical.  It was the biggest donation ever given to Broadway Cares.  That contribution helped “The Music Man” top the list with over $2 million raised.

The grand total raised was $5,107,791 with “The Music Man” topping the list with a record setting $2,002,612.  “The Phantom of the Opera” came in second with $416,379; followed by “Hamilton”, “A Strange Loop”, and “SIX: The Musical”.  “The Piano Lesson” topped the list for plays with $108,883; and “Little Shop of Horrors” led the way for Off-Broadway productions.

Broadway and Off-Broadway productions weren’t the only ones passing the red buckets; the national touring shows also made a contribution with “SIX: The Musical” leading the way with $160,043.

The fundraising red bucket wasn’t the only place that “The Music Man” topped this list this week.  The musical revival starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster also led the way at the box office by topping the $3 million mark in ticket sales; even with a drop in receipts after the Thanksgiving surge.  The total receipts came to $33.89 million and an 82.95 percent capacity.  “The Phantom of the Opera” which is closing in April is the only show with a sellout last week.

One of the most popular productions on Broadway, “The Music Man” has broken the $3 million mark numerus times since it began it’s run.  “The Lion King”, “Hamilton”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, and “Wicked” rounded out the top five.