By Joe Siegel

What is it about villains that we find so appealing? There are plenty of villains in real life. Liars, psychopaths, mass murderers.

In live theater, we are captivated by the villain. These odd characters have the power to amuse, anger, and terrify.

Why do we revel in their cold personalities and heartless deeds?

On some level, perhaps these fictional bad guys (and women) serve as an outlet for audiences to live out their darkest human impulses. It can be a lot of fun to watch as these villains plot and scheme to destroy their enemies and wreak havoc on the innocent. Even more satisfying is when these dastardly characters get their just desserts….or find redemption.

I ranked the following villains on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most despicable. Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the baddest of them all?

Arsenic and Old Lace – The Arctic Playhouse

Villains – Abby and Martha Brewster

Played by: Beth Jepson and Katherine Kimmel

Crimes: These sweet old ladies poison the lonely men who stay in their guest house. But they do it out of love.

Villainy scale rating: 3.0

Hieroglyphics Currency – Daydream Theatre Co.

Villain – Fred

Played by: Dan Martin 

Crimes: Fred is an unprincipled politician who wants to help the wealthy become even wealthier. He is pompous, egomaniacal, and generally repugnant. Plus, his combover is atrocious. 

Villainy scale rating: 4.0

The Tempest – Roundabout Productions

Villain – Prospero

Played by: Christopher Crossen-Sills

Crimes: With a massive chip on his shoulder and an axe to grind, the sorcerer conjures up a storm, which strands his brother Antonio and his companions on an island. Reneges on a promise to free the spirit Ariel. Unlike many of the villains here, Prospero redeems himself.

Villainy scale rating: 5.0 

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Gamm Theatre

Villain – Big Daddy

Played by: Joe Penczak

Crimes: A loathsome man with a longstanding hatred of his wife, Big Mama. Big Daddy is a sexist beast with no hesitation to share his most vile thoughts and feelings.

Villainy scale rating: 7.0 

Clyde’s – Burbage Theatre Company

Villain – Clyde

Played by: MJ Daly

Crimes: Clyde intimidates and degrades her hardworking employees. She rules over her restaurant with an iron grip. Daly is absolutely riveting as the “Boss from Hell.”

Villainy scale rating: 8.0 

Measure for Measure – Burbage Theatre Company

Villain – Angelo

Played by: Mauro Hantman

Crimes: Angelo arrests Claudio for impregnating a woman and sentences him to death.

Isabella, a novice nun and Claudio’s sister, pleads with Angelo to spare her brother’s life. Angelo refuses to bend, but he issues a proposal: if Isabella goes to bed with him, he will allow Claudio to live. Angelo’s greatest sin is his hypocrisy.

Villainy scale rating: 8.5

The Winter’s Tale – Trinity Repertory Company

Villain – Leontes

Played by: Stephen Thorne

Crimes: He goes berserk after suspecting his wife Hermione of having an affair with his friend Polixenes. Leontes accuses Hermione of high treason and puts her on trial. After 16 years of living as a statue, Hermione forgives Leontes. Yeah, I don’t get it either.

Villainy scale rating: 9.0

Arsenic and Old Lace

Villain – Jonathan Brewster

Played by: Paul Koczwanski

Crimes: Murder, robbery, kidnapping. Jonathan is the black sheep of the Brewster family. He even ties up his own brother! A very very bad man. Koczwanski is quietly terrifying.

Villainy scale rating: 10

Kurt Bloom and Paul Koczwanski in Arsenic and Old Lace. Courtesy of Sandy Smith. Below: MJ Daly in Clyde’s. Courtesy of Burbage Theatre Company.