Restaurant patron makes server's Broadway dream come true with wholesome gesture: 'Magic still alive'

Act of kindness always comes for free and a server in New York City witnesses that on a regular day at her job. 27-year-old Clair Rachel Howell was attending to the patrons at a restaurant in the Theater District of New York when she encountered a bunch of guests discussing a Broadway production. According to Howell's website, she has been pursuing classical voice and opera training and has found her passion in musical theatre acts.

Hence, Howell couldn't resist joining in the brief conversation when she heard the patrons she was serving talk about their plans to see the Broadway production of "Merrily We Roll Along." Howell expressed her desire to watch that particular Broadway show someday, but there was a big hurdle in her way. The cost of the theater show tickets was insanely high and Howell knew she couldn't afford it. But in a heartwarming display of generosity, Howell's dream came true.

She wrote about the encounter with those patrons in an Instagram post on her profile @clairinthecity and detailed what went down. "So a magical New York moment happened to me the other day at work," Howell captioned her Instagram post, along with a series of pictures that featured a bill, a theater play booklet and Howell's excited face as she attends the musical. She mentioned in her post that her job at the Theater district of NYC means she gets to serve many patrons who come down for a meal or a drink before catching a Broadway show as usual.

"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! The table left to make their showtime and I picked up their check and did about 7 double takes. I am still speechless while writing this," the post continued.

Howell received an overwhelming tip of $500 attached with a heartfelt note on the bill, which prompted her to go see the Broadway show. "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 people. 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," Howell's post concluded.

The Instagram audience was left speechless because it's highly unlikely for someone to tip their servers in the way that the unnamed man did. @michelejonesmarchetti wrote, "I'm not sure if you remember, but you were our server when I brought my MIL to see Billy Joel at MSG. We still talk about that dinner, the amazing cocktails and the sweet server who was destined to be a star. So happy to discover this on my feed today." @souffle321 commented, "$500 is way off! I see lots of shows in NYC and spend a lot less. I usually sit rear orchestra. Seeing this post makes it look like we all spend that much money on a show. Kudos to the very generous man!" 

@marciapolas remarked, "That was incredibly generous of your guest. But what strikes me is how great you must be at every job you choose to do, including serving (which maybe is not your calling?). So thank you for showing up with joy and awareness and interest in making sure your guests have the best experience—and for doing so in a way that inspires such generosity." @mikevaldes added, "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."