Bernadette Peters is a Broadway legend, plain and simple. Before taking on the role of the wicked stepmother, the actress already had experience playing a villainous character; she originated the role of the Witch in Broadway's Into the Woods (before Meryl Streep took on the role in the 2014 film). Due to Peters's comedic background, the role of the stepmother became much more comical than previous versions of the character. She could make you laugh with the particular way she enunciated words, but she could also hit a serious high note (see: "Falling in Love With Love").