What originally began as a special performance at the Fortune Academy in 2008 transferred Off-Broadway to New World Stages March 30, 2008, and officially opened April 27. Producers Eric Krebs and Chase Mishkin extended the engagement twice, which ultimately became an open-ended Off-Broadway run. The Castle played 59 performances during its limited Saturday-evening-only schedule.

Conceived and directed by David Rothenberg, The Castle features Vilma Ortiz Donovan, Kenneth Harrington, Angel Ramos and Casimiro Torres, who all tell their real-life experiences of incarceration and life after.

Following the conclusion of the Off-Broadway run, The Castle will continue with two special performances at Adelphi University on May 24 and at a New York State Department of Corrections conference on June 22. The production has played special performances for inmates at Rikers Island, as well as for New York State legislators in Albany.

Since its launch 40 years ago, the Fortune Society has been developing model programs that help former prisoners successfully re-enter their communities. The Castle serves as the Fortune Society's resident program for 60 men and women.

Inspired by the 1967 Off-Broadway prison drama, Fortune in Men's Eyes, the Fortune Society was founded by former theatre publicist David Rothenberg. Among the services offered are supportive housing, career development, job retention, substance abuse treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, education, family services and drop-in services as well as ongoing access to aftercare. Tickets, priced $30-$45, are available by phoning (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com.

New World Stages is located in Manhattan at 340 West 50th Street.