Velvet Green Summer hit Empire Stage May 7 through 24, 2026.
Credit: Kutumba Theatre Project
A cult-favorite South Florida production is getting a fresh run — and a new name — as Velvet Green Summer arrives at Empire Stage (1140 N. Flagler Drive) in Fort Lauderdale this May with a story that’s heartfelt, hilarious and deeply personal.
Presented by Kutumba Theatre Project, the play — written and directed by K Ehly — runs May 7 through May 24, marking a revival and reimagining of Ehly’s earlier hit Baby GirL, which previously sold out runs locally and in New York City. This latest version expands the story’s scope while digging into its roots as a coming-of-age, coming-out journey inspired by true events.
At its core, the production follows Ash, a spirited dreamer navigating identity, family and belonging after being alienated by their adoptive parents. Along the way, the show blends humor, music and imaginative storytelling into what Ehly describes as a “transportive” experience. “At the heart of it, it’s about someone trying to find a place to belong,” Ehly tells Browardist. “It’s a very universal theme… realizing that your family is who you choose them to be.”
The play’s origin story is just as compelling. What began as a personal monologue in a New York acting class quickly evolved into a screenplay that earned finalist recognition at NewFest before ultimately becoming a stage production. “It was supposed to be one or two pages,” Ehly recalls. “By 17 and a half pages… I thought, I’m not exactly sure what I’m writing.” That spark led to a full theatrical work that first premiered at Empire Stage in 2012 before heading to New York’s The Kraine Theater.
Now, more than a decade later, Velvet Green Summer returns with new layers. “We’ve all changed,” Ehly says. “There’s more emotional depth this time around… it’s very funny, but there are moments that will catch you by surprise.”
The eight-person cast — Jill Bellak, Taylor Lyn Dawson, Abbie Fricke, Katie Jackson, Om Jae, Michele Verdi-Knapp, Brian McCormack and Ryan Townsend — brings a dynamic, ensemble-driven approach, with multiple actors stepping into several roles. “They work like a symphony,” Ehly says. “We’re becoming a well-oiled machine.”
Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 5 p.m., with a preview on May 7 and opening night set for May 9. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $30 for the preview, with limited seating available.
For tickets, visit ticketleap.com.
