The witch in the fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” lures children by acting all sweet on the outside at first, concealing the raging appetite she harbors inside. The ART Institute production of “Hansel and Gretel,” at the Loeb Drama Center, takes that duality a step further: Its witch, named Mildred, is literally two-faced.

“When the audience sees the witch, they’re going to see this extremely feminine older lady who has long hair and a dress,” says Ashruf “Osh” Ghanimah, the actor who plays Mildred.