This Magic Moment: Justin Thomas plays the Baker in INTO THE WOODS

"If the thing you do is pure in intent

If it's meant and it's just a little bent

Does it matter? Yes"

So frets the Baker, longing for a shot at fatherhood, in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony-winning musical INTO THE WOODS. This clever collision of fairy tales, and the perils of wishing for one's "happily ever after," plays in the Jeffers Theatre June 5th—June 20th.

Returning to the Pamela Livingstone Stage in this production—his second time performing in INTO THE WOODS—is multi-Kay Award-winner Justin Thomas as the Baker.

Longtime area resident Thomas works as an Administrative Support Specialist at Appalachian State University, where he is also studying for his Bachelor's Degree in English & Film Study. He appeared this season in the Firemen's Kitchen productions of THE TRAIL TO OREGON and HANGMEN. Other recent Jeffers Theatre credits include CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, and THE GUY WHO DIDN'T LIKE MUSICALS, for which he received a Kay Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical. Thomas' other Kay Award-winning performances include Outstanding Character Actor turn in THE FOREIGNER, and as part of the Kay Award-winning Ensemble in RAGTIME.

Other area credits include THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) and DRINKING HABITS at Foothills Performing Arts, as well as his first foray in INTO THE WOODS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and FROM THIS DAY FORWARD at Old Colony Players. And though Thomas considers himself the "actor most likely to break the set while attempting a stunt," that hasn't stopped him from pursuing his love of theatre on every stage possible. Not yet, anyway.

Performances of INTO THE WOODS are Fridays and Saturdays, June 5th through June 20th at 7:30pm; Sundays, June 7th and 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.