Tony Flashback! Nominee Condola Rashad Remembers Being 'Blown Away' by Idina Menzel's Wicked Ways

In the weeks leading up to the 2012 Tony telecast, Broadway.com is posting videos of favorite Tony memories of this year’s nominees, with their own commentary. We love this anecdote from Condola Rashad, who experienced her memorable Tony moment in person the night her mother, Phylicia Rashad, won Broadway’s biggest prize. This year, it’s Condola’s turn in the Tony spotlight for her breakout featured performance in Stick Fly.

“My favorite Tony moment ever was in 2004, when my mother won for Raisin in the Sun. She took me with her to the ceremony, and I wore my bright bubble-gum-pink prom dress. I hadn’t seen Wicked yet—I didn’t even know about Wicked—and the next thing I knew, Idina Menzel was flying into the sky singing that wonderful song ["Defying Gravity"]. We were really close to the stage, and I remember that the hairs on my arms stood up. I was like, 'Mom, we have to go see Wicked!' I was blown away by her."