A Wicked, Wicked Witch

Last week, I asked you, my fabulous readers, "who is the most wicked awesome female character in a musical?" I have to admit, I was fishing for Elphaba in Wicked. But reader Angela came up with someone even better!

Meet Evillene the Wicked Witch of the West, originally played by Mabel King in the 1975 Broadway production of The Wiz. Evillene runs a sweatshop in the underground sewers of Oz. Vengeful for Dorothy having killed her sister, she dismembers the Scarecrow, flattens the Tin Man, and tortures the Lion in hopes of making Dorothy give her the silver shoes. When she threatens to throw Toto into a fiery cauldron, Dorothy nearly gives in. 

Not only did I choose her for her absolute wickedness on stage and screen, but it gives me the opportunity to introduce you all to a former high school classmate of mine, Marcus Paul James, who performed in NBC's "The Wiz Live" back in December with Queen Latifah and David Alan Grier! So proud of my fellow Spartan and his successful career on Broadway. 

Also, Marcus and I performed selections from The Wiz in high school together for a musical review. So, "don't nobody bring me no bad news!"

Thank you to everyone who nominated a character last week! I love going through all of your suggestions. Sometimes you all make it really hard to choose.

Next week for Wicked Women Wednesday: I'm looking to celebrate a wicked awesome female cartoon character. Whether she's from a movie or a TV show, who's wickedest woman in animation? You can nominate via email, Facebook or Twitter.  

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