Kim Ehly's 'Baby GirL' Makes NYC Debut at FringeNYC Tonight

Kutumba Theatre Project, in association with The Present Company, will present the New York premiere of Baby GirL, as part of the 18th Annual New York International Fringe Festival, today, August 8-24.

A comedy based on true events, Baby GirL is written & directed by Kim Ehly, the Artistic Director of Kutumba Theatre Project. David Hart is Sound Designer, David Castaneda is Lighting Designer & Penny Enomoto is Choreographer.

After coming out as a lesbian & being alienated by her adoptive family, Ashley, a spirited young daydreamer, goes on an extraordinary journey to find love & a place to call home. When Ashley's fantasies meet reality, expect the unexpected!

Baby GirL was first presented in Ms. Ehly's home state of Florida as the inaugural production of KUTUMBA THEATRE PROJECT during the summer of 2012 & was met with rave reviews & a sold out run. For its world premiere in 2012, Baby GirL was named in the year end's Top Five Plays by the Sun Sentinel, Top Ten by the Miami Herald & Best Debut by Florida Theater Onstage.

Featured in the cast of Baby GirL are Amy Bizjak (Elephant Girls), Jessica Farr (21 Positions at The Public), Samuel Floyd (Atlantis: the Musical), Noah Levine, Lucy McMichael (March Madness), Christa Meyers (Venus in Fur at Cleveland Play House), Nori Tecosky, Joe Wissler (Mafia on Prozac). Levine & Tecosky are both reprising roles they originated in the South Florida production of Baby GirL.

KIM EHLY was recently named one of the 9 most intriguing people in the arts community of South Florida & one of the 50 most influential people in the LGBT community of South Florida by the South Florida Gay News. She is a veteran of the theatre & has also worked in film, TV, commercials & voiceovers in NYC, LA & South Florida. In addition to directing Baby GirL, she has also directed Julie Johnson & The Beebo Brinker Chronicles for Kutumba; Shorts Gone Wild, The Happy Ones & Mallory Square. She has directed for City Theatre, The Women's Theatre Project, Island City Stage, The New Theatre & in NYC, at Michael Howard Studios. Kim wrote the short plays The Happy Ones (Audience Favorite), T & Places (One Minute Play Festival in Miami) & Clit Tease. As a result of penning Baby GirL, Kim was the first female playwright to win the SILVER PALM AWARD, honoring outstanding contributions to South Florida theatre. She was also nominated for a Carbonell Award & a Broadway World Award for Best New Work for Baby GirL.

KUTUMBA THEATRE PROJECT is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida & was founded by Artistic Director, KIM EHLY. Kutumba's first three productions were Baby GirL, The Beebo Brinker Chronicles & Julie Johnson. Kutumba has various meanings in many languages & they all resonate with the mission of Kutumba Theatre Project; to leap, to strut proudly, a unique bond amongst community members, family or kin. The company is a collective focusing on works & the development of works that give a voice to the LGBT community, women's interests & other underserved communities.

Performances are Friday, Aug. 8 @ 5pm, Sunday, Aug. 10 @ 9pm, Thursday, Aug. 14 @ 4:15pm, Monday, Aug. 18 @ 9:15pm & Sunday, Aug. 24 @ Noon, at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th St. ,bet. 2nd Ave. & the Bowery).

Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at: www.FringeNYC.org. www.babygirltheplay.com

Photo Credit: Daniel Ray-Graney