Photo Coverage: Fortune Society Hosts Benefit Performance Of The Castle

The Castle, a unique theatrical event that presents a searing, first-hand look at the lives of four formerly incarcerated New Yorkers and their re-entry into society, transfered to Off-Broadway this Sunday at New World Stages.  This unique theater piece is conceived and directed by David Rothenberg and written in collaboration with Vilma Ortiz Donovan, Kenneth Harrigan, Angel Ramos and Casimiro Torres.

Performances began Sunday, March 30th at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street) and the opening night was this Sunday, April 27th at 5 p.m.

The Castle, an imposing upper west side residential facility for the formerly incarcerated, was opened (and is maintained) by The Fortune Society, a non-profit organization that helps put men and women, recently emerged from prison, on their re-entry into society.  The organization was established by Mr. Rothenberg following the success of the 1967 Off-Broadway production of the play, Fortune and Men's Eyes (itself, a play about a young man's experience in a youth detention center).

The company of The Castle (all of whom tell their own real-life stories) includes Ms. Donovan, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Ramos and Mr. Torres.

The Castle will begin its run at New World Stages with a unique playing schedule: Sundays at 5 p.m.  Beginning April 19th, performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 5 p.m.  Tickets are $30 & $45 and are available at the New World Stages box office or via Telecharge (212-239-6200) / Telecharge.com.                                        

The Fortune Society is a not-for-profit, community-based organization dedicated to educating the public about prisons, criminal justice issues, and the root causes of crime. Staffed primarily by ex-prisoners, the organization helps former inmates and at-risk youth break the cycle of crime and incarceration through a broad range of services.  The Fortune Society works to improve prison conditions and protect the rights of prisoners by providing the foundation from which new lives can be launched. For more information please visit www.fortunesociety.org

Photos By Linda Lenzi