Photo Caption: There's a surprise in store for Princess Fiona as she awaits a prince to come to her rescue. Pictured (left to right): Aleyah Lyon as young Princess Fiona, Sarah Barberi as grown up Princess Fiona and Bethanie Lyon as Teen Princess Fiona. Photo credit: Sarah B. Gilliam

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - March 27, 2014) - - - The Columbia State Community College commercial entertainment program will present its annual spring musical, "Shrek the Musical," April 11 - 12 at the Williamson County Campus.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside-down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre - not a handsome prince - shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a short temper, attitude and more than a dozen other fairly misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand, and his name is Shrek.

"Shrek the Musical will entertain guests of all ages," said Cathy Hudnall, director and assistant professor of the commercial entertainment program. "We've got a great cast, and I'm excited to share this beloved fairy tale with the community."

Friday's Spring Theater begins at 7:30 p.m., and the lobby doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for this event are $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3 - 10. Children can enjoy preshow activities in the lobby before the performance, along with photo opportunities with cast members after the show.

Saturday's Dessert Theater begins at 7:30 p.m. The lobby doors open at 6 p.m., and dessert service begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets for this event are $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 - 10. Limited table seating is available for this performance.

To purchase tickets, call (615) 790-4400. Hudnall encourages everyone to purchase their tickets in advance, especially for Dessert Theater, which features Freddie Smith's Gourmet Desserts and a beverage. All children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite storybook character and bring a pillow so they can sit up front to watch the show.

Columbia State's Williamson County campus is located at 104 Claude Yates Drive, next to Franklin High School off Hillsboro Road in Franklin. Additional information about the commercial entertainment program can be found at www.ColumbiaState.edu/CEN.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.