The Fortune Society News

Receiving rave reviews during its summer run, Writer/Actor Joe Assadourian's hit Off-Broadway Comedy THE BULLPEN has opened ticket sales through November 22nd, 2014 at The Playroom Theater. The show, which is directed by Richard Hoehler, is largely influenced by Joe Assadourian's experiences having served 12 years in prison for attempted murder. This extension will include a celebratory performance on October 8th, which will mark the first anniversary of Joe Assadourian's release from Otisville Correctional Facility. The New York Times praised the one man show exclaiming that Joe Assadourian "is one terrific actor," "marvelous," and "extremely funny."

Following last year's acclaimed Public Works production of The Tempest, The Public Theater will continue this community-based initiative this September with a free original musical adaptation of Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE. Featuring more than 200 New Yorkers from all five boroughs performing alongside professional actors and The Public's community partners, Public Works' THE WINTER'S TALE will run for three nights only, September 5-7, at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Free tickets will be distributed, two per person, at 12:00 p.m. on the day of the show at the Delacorte Theater and via the Virtual Ticketing lottery at www.publictheater.org.

From Cage to Stage - Actor/Writer Joe Assadourian will open his new one-man comedy The Bullpen Off-Broadway on Sunday, June 22nd, at The Playroom Theater. Released from Otisville Correctional Institution in October of 2013 after serving 12 of his 25 year sentence for attempted murder, Assadourian discovered his theatrical ability while reluctantly participating in a workshop behind bars lead by Off-Broadway solo-show Actor/Director Richard Hoehler. The duo has developed the work now for over two years, both inside and outside the state prison system, and it premieres Off-Broadway this summer.

Eric Krebs, in association with The Fortune Society, present THE BULLPEN, written and performed by Joseph Assadourian and directed by Richard Hoehler. Scroll down to take a look behind the scenes of the off-Broadway show in previews!

Eric Krebs, in association with The Fortune Society, presents a special industry performance of THE BULLPEN, a new play written and performed by Joseph Assadourian and directed by Richard Hoehler. The event is set for today, June 20th at 4 p.m.

Eric Krebs, in association with The Fortune Society, presents a special industry performance of THE BULLPEN, a new play written and performed by Joseph Assadourian and directed by Richard Hoehler. The event is set for Friday, June 20th at 4 p.m.

Actor/playwright Joseph Assadourian, like Charles Dutton and Lead Belly before him, discovered his theatrical voice while serving time behind bars. His new one-man play, The Bullpen, which he wrote and stars in, will begin an open-ended Off-Broadway engagement at The Playroom Theater (151 West 46th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue) tonight, June 12th. Richard Hoehler directs this black comedy, which features Assadourian in 18 different roles. Opening night is set Sunday June 22nd.

Actor/playwright Joseph Assadourian, like Charles Dutton and Lead Belly before him, discovered his theatrical voice while serving time behind bars. His new one-man play, The Bullpen, which he wrote and stars in, will begin an open-ended Off-Broadway engagement at The Playroom Theater (151 West 46th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue) on Thursday, June 12th. Richard Hoehler directs this dark comedy, which features Assadourian in 18 different roles. Opening night is set Sunday June 22nd, previews begin June 12th.

Actor/playwright Joseph Assadourian, like Charles Dutton and Lead Belly before him, discovered his theatrical voice while serving time behind bars. His new one-man play, The Bullpen, which he wrote and stars in, will begin an open-ended Off-Broadway engagement at The Playroom Theater (151 West 46th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue) on Thursday, June 12th. Richard Hoehler directs this black comedy, which features Assadourian in 18 different roles. Opening night is set Sunday June 22nd.

With a cast of over 200 combining professionals and clients from the city's social service organizations, The Tempest rejoices in New York's cultural diversity.

Fortune in My Eyes is a fascinating chronicle of how one man, over six decades, moved easily between the glamorous world of theatre and the gritty world of the disenfranchised (gays, prisoners, ex-cons, AIDS patients). And if it seems at times as if he's lived a Forrest Gump-like life, well, that's not a criticism.

Award-winning actor Charles S. Dutton will perform a scene from his one-man show "From Jail to Yale: Serving Time on Stage" at The Fortune Society's 2012 Annual Fall Benefit tonight, October 29th, 2012 at the Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan. Dutton served time in prison and successfully rebuilt his life becoming an educated, professional actor, producer and director. His one man show, describes how he overcame the challenges in his past and turned around his life.

Every age has had its stars who combine show business glitz and political passion, with Bono, Sean Penn, and Angelina Jolie among those carrying that mantle currently. But few, if any, have inhabited those two worlds as dramatically and comprehensively as David Rothenberg. Although never himself a 'star,' Rothenberg's multilayered life brought him contact with Broadway's brightest lights, as well as prison riots, political campaigns, civil rights sit-ins, and a Central American civil war. It all is recounted in his searing memoir, Fortune in My Eyes: A Memoir of Broadway Glamour, Social Justice, and Political Passion.

Award-winning actor Charles S. Dutton will perform a scene from his one-man show "From Jail to Yale: Serving Time on Stage" at The Fortune Society's 2012 Annual Fall Benefit on October 29th, 2012 at the Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan. Dutton served time in prison and successfully rebuilt his life becoming an educated, professional actor, producer and director. His one man show, describes how he overcame the challenges in his past and turned around his life.

Every age has had its stars who combine show business glitz and political passion, with Bono, Sean Penn, and Angelina Jolie among those carrying that mantle currently. But few, if any, have inhabited those two worlds as dramatically and comprehensively as David Rothenberg. Although never himself a 'star,' Rothenberg's multilayered life brought him contact with Broadway's brightest lights, as well as prison riots, political campaigns, civil rights sit-ins, and a Central American civil war. It all is recounted in his searing memoir, Fortune in My Eyes: A Memoir of Broadway Glamour, Social Justice, and Political Passion.

On June 18, 2012 at 6:00 p.m., Award-winning actresses Linda Lavin and Nilaja Sun will join The Fortune Society as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of "The Castle"- a West Harlem supportive housing program that, over the last decade, has provided critical services and support to more than 1,000 formerly homeless men and women who served time in prison. Also attending the event will be former Governor of New Jersey James McGreevey.

Immediately following this week's performances of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo's unFRAMED: A Man in Progress, Jane Dubin, Executive Producer will be JUST-US Dialogues with a panel of contributors who are experienced in the themes of Art and Justice and represent different aspects of the performance.

Immediately following this week's performances of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo's unFRAMED: A Man in Progress, Jane Dubin, Executive Producer will be JUST-US Dialogues with a panel of contributors who are experienced in the themes of Art and Justice and represent different aspects of the performance.

It seems the worst effects of Hurricane Irene on New York City, which was downgraded to Tropical Storm status just a few hours ago, are over. Flooding has been reported in the lower lying areas of New York, due to the overflowing of the Hudson and East Rivers. The tunnels and bridges have reopened.