Red buckets brought in a lot of green across the Great White Way and beyond. During the spring Red Buckets fundraising season, theatergoers donated a “record-shattering” $6.8 million for hundreds of HIV programs, food banks, health clinics, mental health centers and housing programs across the country, reports Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which spearheads the campaign and distributes funds through its national grants program.

Broadway Cares also announced the title and theme of its annual burlesque bonanza, Broadway Bares: Come Out Come Out. The Sunday, June 22, jaw-dropping striptacular promises to deliver wicked fun that’ll inspire Oz and ahhs alike.

This year’s Red Buckets fundraising total of $6,849,510 beat the previous record of $6,594,778 set in 2019. During the six-week campaign, audiences donate money in the iconic red collection buckets that cast members hold after the show. In exchange for donations, theater fans can also procure autographed posters, Playbills and unique memorabilia and props. This spring, 57 theaters—including Broadway, off-Broadway and national touring companies—participated in the Red Buckets campaign and challenge.

“I was bowled over by the impassioned and often deeply personal appeals from the stage,” Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS executive director Danny Whitman said. “This heartfelt and inspiring energy prompted extraordinary generosity from audiences to help at a time when so many are facing their darkest days. As many of the organizations we support face unimaginable challenges caused by uncertain funding, it’s reassuring to know that Broadway Cares supporters once again stand strong in providing compassionate hope and help for millions across the country.”

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The top fundraising Broadway musical for the spring 2025 Red Buckets competition was Sunset Blvd. with $329,923. The top Broadway play was Good Night, and Good Luck with $324,794. The top off-Broadway play or musical was Little Shop of Horrors with $113,982. And the top national tour was Wicked – Munchkinland with $221,717. For a complete list of top fundraisers, click through the Instagram post above or visit BroadwayCares.org.

In related news from the yellow brick road, the national touring company of Wicked reached a fundraising milestone last month: It has raised over $7 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS since the tour began.

The fundraising efforts back in Manhattan continue Monday, May 19, with Broadway Bets, a game night tournament at Sardi’s restaurant, and Sunday, June 22, with the annual stripathon. This year’s show, Broadway Bares: Come Out Come Out, will be a wickedly fun Wizard of Oz–inspired, technicolor extravaganza at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Tickets for the 9:30pm and midnight shows start at $75 and are on sale now at BroadwayCares.org.

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Last year’s Las Vegas–theme show Broadway Bares: Hit the Strip raised $2.26 million, bringing the event’s total to $28.7 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Watch the highlights from the 2024 show below: