Witches on Broadway

Last year, at this time, I wrote about ghosts and the Broadway musical. (Show tunes seem to make a great deal of space for ghosts; see Thuy in "Miss Saigon," Fantine in "Les Miz," Cinderella's Mother in "Into the Woods," the son in "Next to Normal," and so on.)

This Halloween, my thoughts are turning to witches, and to their importance on Broadway. Everyone first thinks of Elphaba, which is fine, but let's also recall Sondheim's Witch (along with his proto-Witches, Rose and Mrs. Lovett), Ursula the Sea Witch, and Morticia Addams.

Also, if we're thinking of a witch as a woman with supernatural powers, how about these nominees:

(4) Fruma Sarah, in "Fiddler" (From beyond the grave: I'll come to her by night....I'll take her by the throat.....)

(3) Papa Ge, in "Once on This Island," played by a woman in the most recent B'way revival (Arrogant fool.....think you can hold back death? This boy is mine....I am his dying breath!)

(2) Celie, in "The Color Purple" (In an unpersuasive Act Two scene, Celie seems to call down a curse on her oppressor, and the curse seems to work.....and, as I recall, there are otherworldly bats!)

(1) The Spider-Woman, Kander and Ebb (And the moon grows dimmer....at the tide's low ebb....and your breath comes faster....and you're aching to move....but you're caught in the web.....)

One main observation I'd like to offer, in closing: All witches should be played by Donna Murphy, all the time.

Happy Halloween.

P.S. Yes, oops! I omitted Elsa, from "Frozen" --!

P.P.S. Marie Christine!

P.P.P.S. Morgan le Fay -- in "Camelot" .......

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