A theater district server was stunned to discover a patron had left her a wildly generous $500 tip so she could finally afford a ticket for her dream Broadway show.

Clair Rachel Howell, who is originally from California but has since moved to New York City, took to Instagram to share the act of staggering generosity.

The server uploaded a series of photos, including a snapshot of the customer’s receipt, as well as her subsequent trip to see Merrily We Roll Along at the Hudson Theater.

She described it as a ‘magical New York moment’ and voiced her overwhelming gratitude for the man who gave her the ‘insane and unexpected gift.’

A theater district server was stunned to discover a patron had left her a wildly generous $500 tip so she could finally afford a ticket for her dream Broadway show 

Clair Rachel Howell, who is originally from California but has since moved to New York City , took to Instagram to share the act of staggering generosity

The server uploaded a series of photos which included a snapshot of the customer’s receipt as well as her subsequent trip to see Merrily We Roll Along at the Hudson Theater 

Last month, Clair shared that the customer had racked up a bill of $232.86 before leaving a whopping $500 tip.

He also scrawled a note on the receipt that read: ‘Go see Merrily! Sit in the orchestra!’

The worker dished further detail on the situation in the caption which explained: ‘Sooo a magical New York moment happened to me the other day at work.

‘My serving job is located in the Theatre District, so we get lots of people coming in before seeing Broadway shows. As usual I always ask them what they’re seeing, and the other night I had a family going to see Merrily We Roll Along.

‘Now anytime I had tables going to see this show I told them how amazing I’m sure it would be, and how badly I wanted to see it!’

She continued: ‘The table left to make their showtime and I picked up their check and did about seven double takes. Even writing this now I’m still speechless.

‘THANK YOU to the gentleman who gave me this insane and unexpected gift. I hope you come in again so I can thank you in person. Magic is still alive in NYC and so is love and kindness and good, GOOD people.’

Clair concluded: ‘Tonight’s the night and as he wished I am in the second row waiting for the show to start. I love New York City.’

The server called the sweet present ‘a magical New York moment’ and was overcome with gratitude for the ‘gentlemen who gave [her the] insane and unexpected gift’

She added in her caption: ‘I hope you come in again so I can thank you in person. Magic is still alive in NYC and so is love and kindness and good, GOOD people’

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The theater enthusiast then shared a slew of pictures from her seat – including of her playbill and cocktail – as she waited for the show to start 

The theater enthusiast then shared a slew of pictures from her seat – including of her playbill and cocktail – as she waited for the show to start.

Clair’s heart-warming post received a huge amount of positive feedback from commenters who were captivated by the sweet gesture. 

One person wrote: ‘A holiday story. The true meaning of the season. A story to be told every year!’ 

Another person added: ‘The magic and heart of holidays and the quiet kindness of strangers.’

A third person wrote: ‘Christmas magic! I absolutely love this!’

Other followers were moved to tears. 

‘Literally crying. I sure hope you get to thank him one day but wow. This is a tiny moment which shows how to have money and how to be human. Fabulous story. Hope you enjoyed the show,’ one person wrote.’

Clair’s heart-warming post received a huge amount of positive feedback from commenters who were captivated by the sweet gesture

Clair later shared an Instagram story as she added: ‘I am overwhelmed with love from so many internet strangers’ 

Another person added: ‘Why am I crying?’ 

A third person wrote: ‘This made me tear up with so much joy and hope for humanity. Even at times when the world seems the most dark, there are still little acts of kindness and generosity that prove there is still light. What an incredibly beautiful story.’

One person commented: ‘That is amazing! I hope when you are famous, you will go back to that restaurant and gift a server with tickets to your show!’

Clair later shared an Instagram story as she added: ‘I am overwhelmed with love from so many internet strangers. 

‘I am so glad my magic NYC moment could reach people all over the globe and give them a little magic too.’ 

The Broadway show Merrily We Roll Along is about the three-decades-long friendship between composer Franklin Shepard, writer Mary Flynn and playwright Charley Kringas. 

The trio are played by actors Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez.