The State University of New York (SUNY) is hosting a mascot competition in 2023. The competition aims to find a new mascot to represent the university and its values. SUNY believes that a strong mascot can inspire pride and unity among students, faculty, and alumni. The mascot should embody the spirit of SUNY and reflect the diverse community it serves. The competition is open to students, alumni, and the general public, allowing everyone to contribute their creative ideas. Interested participants can submit their mascot designs and concepts for consideration.
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.
Interested participants can submit their mascot designs and concepts for consideration. The judging panel will evaluate the submissions based on creativity, originality, and how well the mascot represents SUNY's values. The winning design will become the official mascot of SUNY and will be used at various university events and activities.
The competition provides an exciting opportunity for individuals to leave their mark on SUNY's history and become part of its rich tradition. The selected mascot will play a crucial role in building a sense of community and fostering school spirit. SUNY hopes that the mascot competition will bring the university community closer together and contribute to a memorable and engaging college experience for all..
Reviews for "The Ultimate Showdown: Suny Mascot Competition 2023"
1) Nancy - 1 star
This competition was a complete disappointment. The costumes of the mascots were poorly made and lacked creativity. The performances were lackluster and failed to engage the audience. It felt like the organizers put no effort into planning and executing this event. I would not recommend attending the Suny Mascot Competition 2023.
2) David - 2 stars
I had high expectations for this competition, but unfortunately, it fell short. The judges seemed biased, as the winners did not deserve the title. The event lacked organization and the schedule was constantly delayed. It was a waste of time and money. I would not attend future competitions organized by Suny.
3) Sarah - 2 stars
I attended the Suny Mascot Competition 2023 with high hopes, but I was left disappointed. The performances were repetitive and lacked originality. The judges' scoring system was unclear, and it felt like some participants were favored over others. The event lacked excitement and failed to create a memorable experience. I would not recommend this competition to others.
4) Alex - 3 stars
While the Suny Mascot Competition 2023 had its flaws, it wasn't a complete disaster. The costumes were decent, but there could have been more variety. The performances had moments of entertainment, but overall, lacked energy. The judges' decisions were questionable at times. It could have been better organized, but it wasn't the worst event I've attended. There is room for improvement in future competitions.
5) Emily - 2 stars
Attending the Suny Mascot Competition 2023 was a disappointment. The costumes were poorly designed and looked cheap. The performances lacked synchronization and failed to capture the audience's attention. The event seemed disorganized, with long gaps between performances. Overall, it was a forgettable experience and I would not recommend attending next year's competition.