Ridgefield Theater Barn's The Exonerated is a Heart-wrenching True Drama about the Wrongly Convicted

The Ridgefield Theater Barn kicks off their 2022-2023 season with a stunningly powerful production of "The Exonerated". Told with humor, anger, faith, frustration, and hope, this beautiful, timely, and provocative piece interweaves the true-life stories of people who were wrongfully convicted and sentenced to the death penalty, emphasizing what happened in their lives after their convictions.

The set is simple and stark — a black backdrop with 10 wooden chairs, one bench, and a silhouette of prison bars looming over the characters. A bright spotlight illuminates the actors poignant faces as share their harrowing tales of life before, during, and after prison with the audience. Moving between first-person monologues and scenes set in courtrooms and prisons, the six characters stories fuse together to paint a picture of an American criminal justice system gone horribly wrong — and of six brave souls who persevered to survive it. An array of emotions and experiences are explored in every character as they navigate their time imprisoned and the journey to regaining their innocence.

Photo Credit: Pippa Walton

What makes this play so profound is that these characters are not fictional, rather real life people from all walks of life who have been wrongfully imprisoned in the United States. The characters time in prison ranges from 2 to 22 years. Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, "The Exonerated" writers, utilized interviews, letters, transcripts, case files and the public record

Told with humor, anger, faith, frustration, and hope, this beautiful, timely, and provocative piece is one you won't want to miss. "The Exonerated" contains adult themes and is not recommended for those under 17.

This production is directed by Beth Young. Cast includes Kevin Knight as Delbert, Priscilla Squiers as Sunny, George Croom as Robert, Kendall Driffin as Georgia / Female Ensemble #1, David Fritsch as Gary, Chris Cooney as Kerry, David Tate as David, Paulette Layton as Sue/Sandra/Female Ensemble #2, Timothy Huber as Male Ensemble #1, and Matt Pagliaro as Male Ensemble #2.

Don't miss this intense and important true story about social justice, human perseverance, and the realities of the United States legal system at the Ridgefield Theater Barn.

September 9th through the 25th, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays Sept 18th & 25th at 5pm. Cabaret Seating; Bring Food & Drink; Doors open 1 hour prior to curtain. This production is presented without intermission.

Address:

The Ridgefield Theater Barn 37 Halpin Lane

Ridgefield CT 06877

Phone: 203.431.9850

Website and tickets : https://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/