The 58th Annual Tony Awards (2004)

I may have been in the balcony, but it was freaking the greatest experience ever. I was in the same room as my hero, Billy Joel. I got to see Tony Bennet perform. Two of my favorite all time musicals were duking it out (Avenue Q, and especially Wicked). I got to see scenes from each again, get goosebumps from "defying gravity" and find out what a freaking great host Hugh Jackman is. For those who don't know, being a host isn't all about announcing names, during commercials they have to keep the guests entertained. He did that by coming out and singing songs and telling jokes. He picked diddy out of the crowd during a commercial break after singing "oh what a beautiful morning" and asked him to sing along. He pointed to his wife saying, "now that's bling" but saying it was rented. Diddy, however, didn't know the song, so in front of everyone, Jackman taught him. Hilarious, I think so. And I don't know about TV, but Philicia Rashad commanded such respect and has such a peaceful way about her that she put the whole room in such a tangible silence and stillness. And my girl Idina won baby! On top of it all, my drama teacher knew the director or Wicked and Assassins, so I was invested in his success. She also met Sarah Jessica Parker at the opening night of Wicked, and Sarah got pulled on stage, which was interesting. They also showed hilarious shots of a Broadway documentary coming out, but I forget which one it is, I don't think it was the PBS one. It had scenes of Avenue Q being written at home around a piano, and actors pretending to yell at each other backstage to set the "mood" of what Broadway is like. And to be at Radio City, come on. It almost rained on my group while waiting in line to get in though. But standing in line just looking around knowing I was getting into the hottest ticket in the town, you can't ruin that mood.