Jackie Hoffman and John 'Lypsinka' Epperson in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, THE BLONDE STREAK Premiere Set for Transport Group's 2015 Season

Transport Group, the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and OBIE Award-winning theatre company, has announced that its 2015 season will include the world premiere musical The Blonde Streak by Dan Lipton and David Rossmer, slated to run July 5 - August 16 at Theatre 79, and a revival of the classic musical Once Upon a Mattress, starring Jackie Hoffman as Princess Winnifred and John "Lypsinka" Epperson as Queen Aggravain, running November 29 - January 3, 2016 at Abrons Arts Center. Both musicals will be directed by Jack Cummings III.

The Blonde Streak

by Dan Lipton and David Rossmer

Directed by Jack Cummings III

July 5 - August 16, 2015

Theatre 79, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue

From the writing team of Dan Lipton and David Rossmer (Rated P for Parenthood, Notes to MariAnne) comes the world premiere of a romantic comedy musical, The Blonde Streak. When Walter, a hopelessly romantic chef, gets jilted on his wedding day, he takes off in the matrimonial limo with his best friend and his favorite ex to try to figure out why. Channeling contemporary off-beat comedies, the Apatow-esque The Blonde Streak is the roadtrip of a mid-lifetime for these three 30-somethings, forced to deal with the endless and ageless struggle of growing up.

Once Upon a Mattress

Music by Mary Rodgers; Lyrics by Marshall Barer; Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller

Starring Jackie Hoffman and John "Lypsinka" Epperson

Directed by Jack Cummings III

November 29 2015 - January 3 2016

Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street

The raucous musical fairy tale Once Upon A Mattress will star the formidable Jackie Hoffman (On the Town, Xanadu, Hairspray) and the iconic John "Lypsinka" Epperson (Lypsinka's The Boxed Set, The Passion of the Crawford). During a kingdom-wide search to find a princess fit for the hapless Prince Dauntless, in swims the less-than-regal Princess Winnifred the Woebegone (Hoffman). Unrefined and undeniably charming, Winnifred is like no princess Dauntless has ever seen and his heart is captured. The truly terrible Queen Aggravain goes on a mission to come between her son and his soulmate in this retelling of the classic story of "The Princess and the Pea." Forget everything you know about happily ever after.

Founded in 2001 by Jack Cummings III and Robyn Hussa, Transport Group has produced twenty-three shows comprised of twelve new works and eleven revivals, including twelve plays and eleven musicals. In addition to mainstage productions, Transport Group also produce readings, developmental labs, concerts, and other special events. During Transport Group's first eight seasons, the company was in residence at The Connelly Theatre, a turn-of-the century proscenium theatre located in the East Village. Beginning with the 2009 - 2010 season, Transport Group began to explore environmental staging, performing works in non-traditional spaces such as a penthouse apartment, a commercial loft, and a gymnasium. Transport Group found an uptown home in The Duke on 42nd Street, where four shows were produced, including the acclaimed one-man version of The Patsy starring David Greenspan and the original musical The Memory Show by Sara Cooper and Zach Redler. In 2014, Transport Group returned to The Gym at Judson, located in the historical Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village. Currently headed by Jack Cummings III (Artistic Director) and Lori Fineman (Executive Director), Transport Group's latest season (2013-2014) began with the first critically acclaimed revival John Cariani's modern classic Almost, Maine, the 2006 romantic comedy that explores the magical delicacy of finding and sharing real love. Almost, Maine enjoyed an extended run with packed houses on a snow-laden set, and featured the play's author, Tony Award-nominated actor John Cariani in the cast. In March of 2014, New York responded with rapturous reviews, sold out performances, and multiple award nominations for the revival of the John Van Druten classic I Remember Mama. Director Jack Cummings III envisioned John Van Druten's 1944 play with an ensemble cast of ten women in their 70s and 80s, starring Drama Desk Award nominee Barbara Andres and Oscar and Tony nominee Barbara Barrie. Most recently, Transport Group produced a sold-out, star-studded concert version of The Music Man, featuring 58 actors, and the original orchestrations performed by a 20-piece orchestra. The Music Man: In Concert comes on the heels of past one-night-only sensations, including concert productions of Once Upon a Mattress, starring Jackie Hoffman and John "Lypsinka" Epperson, and Baby, featuring over 60 actors, hosted by original cast members Todd Graff and Liz Callaway.

The Abrons Arts Center is the 2014 OBIE award-winning performing and visual arts program of Henry Street Settlement. The Abrons supports the creation and presentation of innovative, multi-disciplinary work; cultivates artists in all stages of their practice with educational programs, mentorships, residencies and commissions; and serves as an intersection of engagement for local, national and international audiences and arts-workers. Each year the Abrons offers over 250 performances, 12 gallery exhibitions and 30 residencies for performing and studio artists, and 100 different classes in dance, music, theater, and visual art. The Abrons also provides New York City public schools with teaching artists, involving more than 3,000 students in the arts.

For more information, visit www.transportgroup.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

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