Just beyond witch Witch- the word itself evokes images of black pointy hats, cauldrons, broomsticks, and spells. It is a term often associated with women who possess supernatural powers and use them to do both good and evil. Throughout history, witches have been depicted in various forms of folklore, literature, and popular culture. However, there is a realm that exists just beyond the stereotype of a witch, a realm that delves deeper into the true nature of these mysterious beings. Beyond the portrayal of witches as either pure-hearted or wicked, lies a complex and multifaceted reality. Witches are not simply the stuff of fairy tales or paranormal stories; they were and continue to be a real part of human existence.

Chicago-native actress talks dual role in 'The Wiz,' now playing at Cadillac Palace Theatre

Chicago-native actress Melody A. Betts stars as Evillene in "The Wiz" musical, which is now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre downtown.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- You can ease on down the road to see a new production of "The Wiz," now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

Chicago's Melody A. Betts has dual roles as Aunt Em and the wicked witch Evillene. She joined ABC7 to talk about how her hometown crowd is loving the show!

"Chicago is in the building, and they are letting me know that they are so proud of me, and it's everything," Betts said.

She discussed what it's like to look out in the audience and see all the people who knew her and grew up with her.

"It is full circle and kind of amazing to manifest something and be able to live it in real time, being at this theatre," Betts said. "The first soundtrack that I ever owned as a toddler was 'The Wiz.' It was my first record, and I would just play it over and over again, and I would sit and listen to it and allow the world to take me over and open up my imagination."

Betts has embraced the spirit of the story her whole life.

"I want to encourage everyone. to dream it," Betts said. "Whatever it is, dream it and believe it, and then take the ride."

The actress doesn't mind when the audience gets vocal.

"Evillene was asking Dorothy for her slippers last night," Betts said. "She said 'no,' and somebody yelled out 'that's right, Dorothy, don't do it girl!'"

Her Evillene character poster was unveiled Thursday afternoon.

"I've always been a little thick, I call it 'thick-sacious,'" Betts said. "There may have been some people that thought I didn't have star quality, or I would never make it here, but God told me something different. So I continue to believe that and keep moving forward."

You can see "The Wiz" at the Cadillac Palace through December 10th, then it's back on the road before Broadway in the spring.

"Come on through and let it bless you, cause that's what's gonna happen," Betts said.

The actor who gets to play The Wiz will join ABC7 to talk about the musical next week.

Origins – The Wicked Witch of the West

The Wicked Witch of the West, highest ranking female villain, as well as one of The Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. Originally, she was merely the more well known antagonist of L. Frank Baum’s, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Despite never really being mentioned again after her death in book one. The Wicked Witch is a character that continues to evolve and challenges us all to question the true definition of Wicked.

In illustrations by W. W. Denslow for Baum’s book, she is depicted as an elderly rotund hag with three pigtails, Baum in the book stated that she only had one eye, but that it “was as powerful as a telescope”, enabling the witch to see what was happening in her kingdom from her castle windows. Illustrator Paul Granger, placed her eye in the center of her forehead, as a cyclops. Usually, she is shown wearing an eye patch, however some illustrations and in all but one film adaptations, she is incorrectly shown with two eyes.

In all versions the Wicked Witch is a force to be reckoned with containing immense power, however, in the character’s infancy before cinematic license took over, most of her power resided in the creatures she controls. It is commonly accepted that she had a pack of wolves, a swarm of bees, a flock of crows and an army of Winkies. Of her magical tools she owned an umbrella; instead of a broom, which she uses on one occasion to strike Dorothy’s dog Toto. She also wields the enchanted Golden Cap, which gave her control over the flying monkeys.

In most variations of the story The Wicked Witch of the West is defeated after Dorothy, throws a bucket of water on her. L. Frank Baum never explained why that’s what destroyed her but it is a belief that water has purifying properties against evil, commonly accepted in most religions.

In Baum’s creation she is merely referred to as the Wicked Witch, however in adaptations and recreations the character has been known by many other names. She was known as Bastinda in the 1939 novel The Wizard of the Emerald City, a name that was borrowed for March Laumer’s Oz books and in the 2005 novel The Emerald Wand of Oz. She is identified as Elphaba in Gregory Maguire’s best-seller Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and in it’s musical adaptation as well. The name Elphaba is tribute to author of the original Witch L. Frank Baum. Unlike its theatrical predecessor and any of Baum’s writings, Maguire’s novel is not intended for children, and contains profanity, sexual content and violent imagery.

In film, popularity for the Wicked Witch ebbed and flowed, she was featured in the 1910 silent film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, known as “Momba the Witch”. In, His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz (1914) she is depicted correctly as a one -eyed villain. Margaret Hamilton, made sure everyone remembered the witch in the 1939 adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. With her famous line “I’ll get you my pretty, and that little dog too.” In this version she is sister to the Wicked Witch of the East and sees Dorothy’s accidental homicide as a reason for revenge.

Hamilton reprised the role for Sesame Street, in 1976 but was poorly received by parents of frightened young children. She also appeared in The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976), and reprised her role several times on stage, most notably at the St. Louis Municipal Opera. Hamilton’s final appearance was on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood where she explained to the children how she was able to be turned into the witch and that it was all make believe.

In the 70’s the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz was given a groovy revamp and released as the hit musical The Wiz, the all – star cast featured, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Mabel King, as Evillene, the new Wicked Witch of the West both on screen and on Broadway. In the Wiz, King’s Wicked Witch is the sister of Addaperle (Miss One in the film version), Glinda, and Evermean, the other three witches of Oz.

She runs a sweatshop under Yankee Stadium with the slogan “Manufacturers and Exporters of Sweat” and extracts it from the Winkies, the Crows, the Poppy Girls, and the Subway Peddler. Her magic creates evil growing dolls sent by the Subway Peddler, Fighting Trees, and the wolves who in this version are actually sentient carnivorous trash cans, her lair is the Subway system. Her flying monkeys are a biker gang and she is defeated when Dorothy, played by Diana Ross, sets off the sprinklers.

Elphaba was reprised and played by actress Idina Menzel, for the 2003 musical loosely based on Maguire’s adaptation of the story. The Wicked Witch underwent one more transformation in the 2013 Disney film Oz the Great and Powerful, played this time by Mila Kunis.

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Plot

An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience.

24-year-old kindergarten teacher Dorothy, born, raised, and still working in Harlem, is celebrating Thanksgiving with her extended family, but she doesn't seem to be thankful for much. She lives a sheltered life and is shy and unfulfilled. When she gets caught in a snowstorm while chasing her dog Toto, they're transported to the mysterious Land of Oz, where she's informed that the only way she can find her way home is through the assistance of the powerful wizard in the Emerald City. As she searches for him by easing down the Yellow Brick Road, she befriends some creatures who face problems in their lives. In their quest to find the wizard, they also face Evillene, the equally evil sister of Evermean, the wicked witch whom Dorothy inadvertently killed when she arrived in Oz; Evillene might be their biggest obstacle. —Huggo

In this version of the classic story based on the smash Broadway musical, Dorothy is a shy 24-year-old Harlem kindergarten teacher who is brought by a snowstorm to the mysterious Land of Oz, a sprawling, decaying, nightmarish, and dangerous megalopolis that resembles the physical characteristics of New York City. This retelling includes various urban settings and extreme sadness and melancholy, and features themes of rising above one's background and the expectations of others. —scgary66

Synopsis

A re-imaging of The Wizard of Oz, set against an urban background with an African American cast. Dorothy is a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher from Harlem, who along with her dog Toto are lost in a snowstorm on the night of Thanksgiving and end up in the Land of Oz, which looks like a strangly surreal verison of New York City. Dorothy learns the only way she can get home is to ease on down the road to see the Wiz. Along the way she meets a scarecrow made of garbage who wants a brain; a Tin Man, who is a turn-of-the-century mechanical carnie from Coney Island who wants a heart; and a lion who was banished from the jungle and must make his living as a statue in front of the main research branch of the New York Public Library.

Witches are not simply the stuff of fairy tales or paranormal stories; they were and continue to be a real part of human existence. The concept of witchcraft predates modern society and is deeply rooted in ancient traditions, beliefs, and rituals. In many cultures, witches were revered as healers, wise women, and spiritual guides.

They possessed intimate knowledge of herbal medicine, natural remedies, and the mysteries of the universe. Their connection to nature and the spiritual realm allowed them to tap into hidden energies and provide invaluable assistance to their communities. However, the fear and misunderstanding surrounding witchcraft led to a dark period in history known as the witch trials. Thousands of innocent men and mostly women were accused of practicing witchcraft and were subjected to torture, persecution, and execution. The witch trials were driven by superstition, misogyny, and a general fear of the unknown. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in witchcraft, fueled by popular culture and a desire to reconnect with ancient traditions. Modern witches, often referred to as Wiccans or Neo-Pagans, embrace witchcraft as a spiritual practice rooted in nature and self-discovery. They seek to harness natural energies, perform rituals, and cast spells for personal growth, healing, and manifesting their desires. The portrayal of witches in popular culture has also evolved beyond the traditional stereotypes. While some still adhere to the notion of witches as either good or evil, many contemporary narratives explore the grey areas in between. Witches are now depicted as complex characters with their own motivations, flaws, and struggles. They are no longer simply the villain or the hero but rather individuals with their own stories to tell. The world just beyond witch encompasses a vast and rich tapestry of history, religion, folklore, and personal experiences. It is a realm that is both enchanting and mysterious, stretching far beyond the confines of our imagination. Whether as symbols of feminine power, healers, or spiritual practitioners, witches hold a special place in our collective consciousness. They remind us to explore the depths of our own inner magic and embrace the unknown with open hearts and minds..

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