Kutumba Theatre Project & Empire Stage Present BABY GIRL World Premiere, 7/13-8/5

As part of its summer season, Empire Stage teams up with New Theatre Company Kutumba Theatre Project to present the world premier of Baby GirL, a dramedy based on a true story, written and directed by Kim Ehly.

Baby GirL was conceived by Kim Ehly in a writing workshop held by Connie Congdon in New York City, in conjunction with a personal monologue exercise in a Strasberg scene study class in New York City. The monologue was supposed to be two pages long, but ended up being seventeen and half pages…and so, a play was born. A reading of Baby GirL, while in its development stage, was met with great applause at the New Theatre in Coral Gables. The screenplay version of Baby GirL placed as a finalist at the NewFest Film Festival in New York City.

What if you were conceived twice in one lifetime: once by the illegitimate passionate sex of a young couple in love, and next by a "missionary position" lovemaking, conservative couple who long to have a child but the "little guys" never make it to the egg? What if you were adopted by the married couple, only to find out you are everything they can't stand...I mean, understand?

After being 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. When Ashley's fantasies meet reality, expect the unexpected.

Starring: Sally Bondi, Clay Cartland, Miki Edelman, David R. Gordon, Noah Levine, Nori Tecosky. Jessica Welch, and Lindsey Forgey as ASHLEY.

WARNING: This play contains ADULT CONTENT.

Baby GirL runs July 13 – August 5, Fri and Sat at 8pm and Sun at 5pm. Preview performance on July 12 at 8pm. All performances are at Empire Stage, 1140 North Flagler Dr. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Phone number is 954-678-1496. For tickets, visit: www.smarttix.com or www.empirestage.com.

Baby GirL is the first production for Kutumba Theatre Project. Kim Ehly, founder of Kutumba Theatre Project, is a 28 year veteran of the theatre and has worked in film, tv, and theatre in NYC, LA, and South Florida. Kutumba has various meanings in many languages and they all resonate with the mission of the Kutumba Theatre Project. Kutumba: to leap, to strut proudly, a unique bond amongst community members, family or kin. Kutumba Theatre Project is a collective focusing on works and the development of works that give a voice to the LGBT community, women's interests, and other under served communities.

Empire Stage is an artist-driven collective that produces new and existing works for the diverse audiences of Fort Lauderdale, including the LGBT community and senior population. Given The Common missions of Kutumba Theatre Project and Empire Stage, teaming up for the production of Baby GirL is a natural partnership. Baby GirL has all the elements to engage audiences and give focus to the LGBT community, as well as the adoption population, and lovers of the theatre in general.