  The Exonerated
By Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen
March 9 - April 1, 2007
Updated!
Imagine everything you did between the years of 1976 and 1992. Now remove all of it. Those sixteen years were taken away from Sunny Jacobs, convicted and sentenced to death for a crime she did not commit. But her story is not unique. Culled from interviews, letters, transcripts, case files and public record, "The Exonerated" tells the true stories of six wrongfully convicted survivors of death row in their own words...
Culled from interviews, letters, transcripts, case files and public record, "The Exonerated" tells the true stories of six wrongfully convicted survivors of death row in their own words. Moving between first-person monologues and scenes set in courtrooms and prisons, the six interwoven stories paint a picture of an American criminal justice system gone horribly wrong - and of six brave souls who persevered to survive it.
What I like about the play is that it doesnt take sides on the death penalty, says Brandon Dinklage, The Strand Theatres Artistic Director. It simply points out how the system can be broken. The stories that are shared in the script are about people who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. It could easily happen to any one of us.
Over the summer of 2000, playwrights Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen traveled across the United States and interviewed individuals who had been sentenced to death row and had spent anywhere from two to twenty-two years on death row and were subsequently found innocent and freed by the State.
It is our intention to relate as fully as possible what it is like to be on death row, and what it is like to get out and be in the world again, explain the playwrights. This is not primarily a play about anger and revenge (although these feelings do come into play). It is really a play about strength, hope, redemption, and forgiveness.
Under the direction of Scott Vernon and Brandon Dinklage, the cast features a diverse ensemble of local actors from the Galveston/Houston area including Jenna Caroline, Earnest Florence, Roxy Hall, Bill Low, Edwin Robinson, Osbie Shepard, Barbara Winburn and B.W. York.
The Exonerated will run March 9 thru April 1 at The Strand Theatre in Galveston. A special panel discussion will take place on Saturday, March 10, following the performance. It will feature representatives of Pax Christi / Texas Coalition Against the Death, The Innocence Project, GRACE, Amnesty Internation, as well as real-life exoneree Clarence Brantley.
The show contains adult language and situations and is not recommended for young audiences.
Dates & Times:
March 9 - April 1, 2007
Showtimes are Friday & Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2:30pm.
Ticket Info:
Ticket prices range from $22-$15, and may be purchased at The Strand Theatre box office.
*The Strand Theatre will be offering 2-for-1 tickets to "The Exonerated" to all members of Theatreport.com
To qualify for the discount, patrons must purchase one full price admission ($22) and reserve their tickets in advance. Please mention Theatreport when reserving tickets.
A special post-production panel will take place on Saturday, March 10. This event is free to all patrons attending the performance.
Location:
Located at 2317 Ships Mechanic Row, or charged by phone at (409) 763-4591.
Click Here for More Show Info!
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