Photo Caption: "Once Upon a Mattress" features commercial entertainment students Maureen Maltez as Princess Winnifred; Luke Collins as Prince Dauntless; Greg Richards as Sir Harry; Alisha Hegwood as Queen Aggravain; and Taylor Beasley as Lady Larken.

Two-Night Performance at Williamson County Campus

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - March 27, 2013) - - - Moat-swimming princesses, fearless princes and side-splitting shenanigans will have you looking at fairy tales in a whole new light as you enjoy this twist on a classic story of royal courtship.

The Columbia State Community College commercial entertainment program presents the kid-friendly version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Once Upon a Mattress."

"We are delighted to present 'Once Upon a Mattress' as this year's spring musical selection," said Cathy Hudnall, director of the commercial entertainment program. "I think people of all ages will enjoy this romantic comedy."

The two-night performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12. The lobby doors will open Friday at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children 10 and under.

The Saturday, April 13 performance also begins at 7:30 p.m., but the lobby doors will open at 6 p.m. for Dessert Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and children 10 and under. Ticket prices for Dessert Theater include dessert and a beverage.

Advanced purchase of tickets is recommended, especially for the Dessert Theater performance, featuring Freddie Smith's Gourmet Desserts. Children who attend are encouraged to dress up and bring a pillow for up close, front row seating. After each performance, the cast will be available for a meet and greet.

"The kids get so excited to be able to sit near the stage," Hudnall said. "Seeing the smiles on their faces makes it all worthwhile."

Both performances will take place at the Columbia State Williamson County campus at 104 Claude Yates Drive in Franklin, next to Franklin High School on Hillsboro Road. For tickets, call (615) 790-4400.

"Once Upon a Mattress" is based on Hans Christian Anderson's, "The Princess and the Pea." The Broadway musical is a Rodgers & Hammerstein production, with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. "Once Upon A Mattress" is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals, www.rnh.com.

For more information about the Commercial Entertainment program, contact Cathy Hudnall at (615) 790 4420, or visit 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, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.