Cynthia Jepsen (Wicked Witch of the West)

Sue Nielsen
Speaker Reporter
This week's Twenty Questions features and interview with actress Cynthia Jepsen, who plays the character the Wicked Witch of the West in the stage production of The Wizard of Oz. The show is being created as a fundraiser for Pied Piper Kidshows.
1. What is your full name?
Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West. My close friends call me  “W.
2. Where were you born?
Cackle Cave Hospital, Swamp Mud Township Con. 9 KAA ZAM
3. What kind of witch are you?
A green witch. Some say ugly and mean but to some, very attractive. Bridge Trolls are always sending me slug candy and bouquets of weeds.
4. How did you get this name?
I was named after my Aunt Grizelda's great-grandmother, Mrs. Wicked Witch of the South West. I moved west during the great GOOL migration of '38, and dropped the South.
5. Do you have siblings who are witches?
My oldest sister, the Wicked Witch of the East was in a tragic accident, during a tornado, and was killed when a house landed on her. She was texting while driving her broom - didn't see the house.
6. What powers do you possess?
According to the Director Andrew Ager, the ability to turn all vacations into epic disasters. As for magic, I possess all sorts of magical powers but could possess even more if I had those ruby slippers.
7. Do you have a magic wand?
Wands are for WIMPS. I have the ZoomBoom Broom Z-600.
8. What kind of spells can you cast?
The usual classics: sleeping spells, dance until you drop, appearing in a cloud of smoke, etc.
9. Where did things go off the rails for you as you are considered a nasty witch?
It's a natural thing from birth. Both my parents have the evil gene and a few twisted chromosomes of meaneous nastyatosis. Dr. Frankenstein tested me. Like my girl Gaga says “Baby I was born this way!”
10. Why do you melt when water is splashed upon you?
What? I've never been near water. The west is dry. How do I know if I melt? Wait, how do you know I melt when splashed with water? I can make you talk my pretty.
11. Do you wear special shoes?
I wear the standard spell powered shoe. My sister, however, had a custom made pair of ruby slippers with tremendous power sewn in them. That dratted brat Dorothy has them. I will get them back, never to shop cheapwitchwear.com ever again.
12. Why did you capture Dorothy?
How else do I get those slippers? Silly Glinda should have given them to me from the start. I will turn Glinda into a toad for that.
13. Are you afraid of the dark?
Of course not. The jack o lantern night-light is for the Winkies, not me.
14. Do you have any special pets that help you?
I have a huge flock of flying monkeys. Costs a fortune in banana flavoured sunflower seeds to feed them.
15. What local stage production will you be appearing in?
I will appear in the Wizard of OZ. This is being put on by the Pied Piper Kidshows and the proceeds will benefit the Pied Piper Kidshows Summer Theatre Program. They are hoping to purchase audio equipment and special effects equipment. They are lacking in witch power to create their own special effects.
16. When does this production take place?
Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 25, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 26, at 2 p.m. Then again on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. at the Classic Theatre. Tickets are available at Chat Noir Books and the Classic Theatre in Cobalt.
17. What inspires you, the Wicked Witch of the West?
My inspiration comes from the great history of all witches. Brothers Grimm, Dr. Frank, Merlin, Witch Hazel and Darth Vader.
18. Why would people want to come and see you in this production?
If you don't, I will send my flying monkeys to block all the drive-through lanes at Tim Horton's. I'll make you attend eventually my pretties……and your little dogs too.
19. Who is your arch nemesis in this production?
The Director. He seems to have extraordinary powers to make people do his bidding. I will bide my time and get him too eventually.
20. What are some words you live by?
No matter how many spells backfire, cauldrons that boil over, days you get left on the side of a mountain because you didn't pay the Broom Side Assistance Fee, frustration over molting season for the flying monkeys or missing yet another “Save a Zombie” meeting always, always…..”FIND THE FUNNY”