This Magic Moment: Bradshaw Call plays Narrator & Mysterious Old Man in INTO THE WOODS

"Sorry, I tell the story, I'm not part of it.

That's my role.

You must understand, there must always be someone on the outside."

Winner of three Tony Awards when it debuted in 1988, INTO THE WOODS brings the timeless tales of the Brothers Grimm to life in an epic fairytale musical about the choices we make in life—and where even a Narrator is not safe from being caught up in magical mayhem.

From famed Broadway duo Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, INTO THE WOODS plays in the Jeffers Theatre at HCT from June 12th through June 20th.

Returning to the Pamela Livingstone Stage in this production, as the Narrator and the Mysterious Old Man, is Bradshaw Call.

A longtime Asheville resident now living in Morgantion, Call is a baker at Knob Hill Goat Dairy, Creamery and Bakery. In addition to baking, Call enjoys spending time in the outdoors bird watching, as well as discovering unexpected treasures while thrifting and antiquing.

Call was involved in the theatre scene in Asheville and western North Carolina for over two decades, whether as a performer or in his capacity as a Instructor/Director for several youth organizations. He made an unforgettable debut at Hickory Community Theatre as Edna Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY! More recently, he appeared in the Firemen's Kitchen in Out There Theatre Company's production of THE BOYS IN THE BAND. Other area credits include a production of HAIRSPRAY! at Lincoln Theatre Guild, as well as SHREK: THE MUSICAL and RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA at Old Colony Players.

"INTO THE WOODS was the first show I ever did," says Call. "I was cast as the Baker thirty years ago at Freedom High School. It changed the trajectory of my life to pursue a career in theatre. While I never made it to Broadway, I am currently fairly successful baker."

"Playing the Narrator is fun because I get to be the observer on the outside and employ a bit more snark than other roles. In playing the Mysterious Old Man I get to play a more mature version of the character I played at age 18. I can look back at the experiences, loves, losses and regrets that come with maturity."

Performances of INTO THE WOODS are Fridays and Saturdays, June 12th through June 20th at 7:30pm; Sunday, June 14th at 2:30pm; and Thursday, June 18th at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for youth and students. The production is recommended for ages 13 and up. Tickets are available at hickorytheatre.org or by calling 828‑328‑2283.

INTO THE WOODS is produced in association with Catawba Valley Health Systems. Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives sustaining support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Season 77 support is provided by the City of Hickory, A Cleaner World, Shurtape Technologies, Acuña & Acuña Dentistry, and BellaAge.