Falcon Theatre’s first production of 2019 is Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen’s The Exonerated, the true stories of six people who collectively spent more than 50 years on death row for crimes they did not commit.
The production opens January 25.
In the form of a series of courtroom scenes and first-person monologues, The Exonerated pulls from, among others, the real-life case of Gary, a Midwestern organic farmer condemned for the murder of his own parents but later exonerated when two motorcycle-gang members confess to the crime. The audience hears from David, a shy man with aspirations to the ministry who at age 18 was bullied into confessing to a robbery/murder he did not commit who now, a man scarred from a youth spent in prison, is struggling to regain his faith.
Far from being an indictment of our criminal justice system that, when it goes wrong, can quickly swallow and dispose of innocents, the play reveals with touching affection and even disarming humor the resilience of the human spirit.
Backstage says that The Exonerated is “extremely moving, and regardless of your political leanings, these stories will touch your heart.” The New York Times says that “…years after its New York premiere, (the play) still has the power to unsettle.”
Falcon’s production is directed by Paul Morris. The cast includes Darryl Hilton, Dee Anne Bryll, James Troup, Keith Holland, Brian Griffin, Phineas Clark, Joy Rolland-Oba, Karson McCall, Kelly Hale, and Nathan Tubbs.
Performance dates are January 25, 26, 31, and February 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. Tickets prices are $25 for adults and $15 for students with ID. Patrons enjoy a $5 discount for Thursday performances. Visit the website for tickets.
Falcon Theatre is located at 636 Monmouth Street in the heart of the Monmouth Street Historic District of Newport.
