BABY GIRL to Play FringeNYC, 8/8-24

Kutumba Theatre Project, in association with The Present Company as part of the 18th Annual New York International Fringe Festival, presents the New York premiere of "Baby GirL," a comedy based on true events, written and directed by Kim Ehly (Artistic Director, Kutumba Theatre Project). * Please Note: The title, "Baby GirL," is written with a capital "L" at the end with intention. "Baby GirL" will be presented at Fringe Venue #10 - The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street, btw. 2nd Avenue and the Bowery) in Manhattan.

"Baby GirL" will be presented on the following dates/times:

Friday, August 8 - 5:00pm

Sunday, August 10 - 9:00pm

Thursday, August 14 - 4:15pm

Monday, August 18 - 9:15pm

Sunday, August 24 - Noon

After coming out as a lesbian and being alienated by her adoptive family, Ashley, a spirited young daydreamer, goes on an extraordinary journey to find love and a place to call home. In Kim Ehly's "Baby GirL," 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 and was met with rave reviews and 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, and Best Debut by Florida Theater Onstage (included all plays produced in South Florida for all three publications). Raves for "Baby GirL" include: "Baby GirL is a joyous celebration of one woman's journey toward happiness...[it] is sweet, funny, touching, unsettling, tender. It's an artistic offspring that would make any playwright proud. Ehly makes an impressive playwriting debut," Christine Dolen, Miami Herald; "Baby GirL is blessed with offbeat humor, sly insight and a beating heart," Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel; "Ehly's play is so successful in reaching in and grabbing so many emotions that in the span of under two hours you've empathized, sympathized, shed a tear or two, laughed more than a little, and discovered that somehow you, too, have become part of the family she's created," Michelle Solomon, Miami Artzine.

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

The creative team for "Baby GirL" is: David Hart (Sound Designer), David Castaneda (Lighting Designer), and Penny Enomoto (Choreographer).

Kim Ehly was recently named one of the 9 most intriguing people in the arts community of South Florida and one of the 50 most influential people in the LGBT community of South Florida by the SFGN (South Florida Gay News). Kim is a veteran of the theatre and has worked in film, TV, theatre, commercials and voiceovers in NYC, LA, and South Florida. She directed "Baby GirL," "Julie Johnson" and "The Beebo Brinker Chronicles" (all for Kutumba). Other credits include: "Shorts Gone Wild", "The Happy Ones" and "Mallory Square". She has directed for City Theatre, The Women's Theatre Project, Island City Stage, The New Theatre, and in NYC at Michael Howard Studios. Kim wrote the short plays "The Happy Ones", "T" and "Places" (One Minute Play Festival in Miami), "Clit Tease" (part of Shorts Gone Wild 2). As a result of penning "Baby GirL", Ms. Ehly 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 and Broadway World Award for Best New Work for Baby GirL.

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

For ticketing information visit www.FringeNYC.org.