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Regional Reviews: Phoenix The Exonerated Also see Gil's review of Once Upon a One More Time: High School Version
The Exonerated weaves together the true stories of six individuals who were wrongfully imprisoned and ultimately exonerated. Their experiences reveal the devastating consequences of false confessions, unreliable testimony, prosecutorial misconduct, and other failures within the American criminal justice system. The play moves back and forth between their individual accounts, creating drama and intrigue in doing so, while also allowing each person's story to stand on its own. The end result delivers an exposé of a system that has failed those it was supposed to protect. What makes the play particularly effective is its documentary approach. The dialogue is drawn from interviews with the actual individuals whose stories are being told, which gives the material immediacy and authenticity. There are no sensationalized villains or overly dramatic or convenient resolutions. Instead, the focus remains on the individuals who endured these experiences, the emotional and psychological toll that wrongful imprisonment takes even after freedom is restored, and the shock that our justice system is so flawed that innocent individuals end up spending decades of their lives behind bars; as one character says, "How could this have happened?" Under Matthew Wiener's exceptional direction, the 10-person ensemble cast handles this demanding material with restraint and sensitivity. Ken Bailes, Chad T. Krolczyk, Theodore C. Lott III, Ken Love, Maren Maclean, and Paul Perkins play the six individuals who were wrongly convicted, while Tony Blosser, Ryan L. Jenkins, Kim Richard, and Seth Scott play a series of supporting characters. All 10 actors are incredible, delivering passionate portrayals. The strong performances create authentic, nuanced individuals and Wiener's direction ensures there isn't any unnecessary or over-the-top emotion which allows the words and experiences to be front and center. Moments of anger, fear, frustration, and disbelief are balanced by flashes of humor, hope, and humanity. The result is a collection of performances that feel personal and real rather than overly theatrical. The production's creative elements further reinforce its straightforward storytelling. Wiener's relatively simple staging keeps the emphasis where it belongs, on the performers and their stories. Tiana Torrilhon-Wood's set is static, just a row of bleachers and the word "Exonerated" in bold, block font, hovering above the stage. Alex Alegria's lighting is impressive, with shafts of light that help to pinpoint the focus, while the costumes, makeup and hair designs by Carol Simmons use simple pieces of clothing the actors add or remove to quickly morph from one character to the next. The uncluttered approach to the set along and the crisp lighting, efficient costumes, and Wiener's clear staging allow the shifts among the different characters and locations to be crisp and effective and feel less like distant historical events and more like stories happening directly in front of us with the actors bringing an urgency to the material that draws us into their stories. It's a nice touch to have the entire cast on stage throughout, with each cast member actively engaged and focused on the stories as they are told, as if they are an extension of the enraptured audience. The Exonerated is a powerful work because it puts human faces on an issue that can otherwise seem distant or exploitive. It is an important, provocative, and deeply affecting play that challenges audiences to consider what justice really means and what happens when the system gets it profoundly wrong. It's also incredibly sad that this play is over 20 years old and we are still hearing of injustices like those depicted in the play happening today. The Black Theatre Troupe's impressive production offers a compelling reminder that behind every statistic about wrongful conviction is a person whose life may never be completely restored. The Exonerated runs through September 27, 2026, at The Black Theatre Troupe, Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 East Washington Street, Phoenix AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.blacktheatretroupe.org or call 602-258-8129 Directed by Matthew Wiener Cast: |
