The Exonerated
by Erik Jensen, Jessica Blank

Name: The Exonerated
Brand: Erik Jensen
SKU: 9780571211838
Rating: 4.08 (369 reviews)

Off-Broadway

The Exonerated Book Cover — The Exonerated Cover

Highlights

Medium Cast

Female

Male

90 minsPresent DayEnsemble CastFlexible Cast SizeBare Stage/Simple SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk AwardOuter Critics Circle

Winner! 2003 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience Winner! 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Broadway Play

What readers are saying

Readers find this play to be a powerful exploration of the American justice system and the stories of wrongfully convicted individuals. Many appreciate its unique perspective and emotional depth, acknowledging the blend of documentary style with personal narratives. It is described as a must-read for its compelling message, though some note that its content can be distressing.

Powerful exploration of justiceCompelling and emotional narrativesUnique and thought-provoking perspectiveNot for those seeking an upbeat story

Synopsis

What effect does it have on a person--a soul, a life--to have freedom and self-respect stripped away and then, ostensibly, returned years later after decades of incarceration?

The Exonerated attempts to answer this question through the words of six innocent men and women who, after years in jail, emerged from death row to try to reclaim what was left of their lives.

Among them are Sunny Jacobs, a mother of two whose unwavering belief during sixteen years in jail that she would be released (despite the execution of her husband, who was also innocent, for the same crime) allowed her to dedicate herself to being a "living memorial" when she was freed.

There is Kerry Max Cook, a Texan who was convicted of murdering a young woman even though she was found with another man's hair grasped in her fist--a man whom "Texas killed a thousand times, and just keeps on doing it" in his nightmares.

And there is Delbert Tibbs, a black Chicago poet who speaks of his years on death row with anger and bitterness, yet also, as he says, "still sings."

All their stories have been compiled and edited by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen into The Exonerated

, a play that is both a riveting work of theater and an exploration of the dark side of the American criminal justice system.

Press Reviews

"Stark… riveting… cunningly orchestrated."
— The New Yorker

"Riveting. Simple, honest storytelling that demands reflection."
— Associated Press

"Artful and moving… pays tribute to the resilience of human hearts and minds."
— Variety

"Hard-hitting, powerful, and socially relevant."
— The Hollywood Reporter

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
DELBERT African-American, 60. A seminary dropout, radical and poet. His whole personality is like an old soul song: smooth, mellow and with an underlying rhythm that never lets up. Actors playing Delbert should take care to find his substantial sense of humor, in addition to his obvious depth.	male	60	African-American, 60. A seminary dropout, radical and poet. His whole personality is like an old soul song: smooth, mellow and with an underlying rhythm that never lets up. Actors playing Delbert should take care to find his substantial sense of humor, in addition to his obvious depth.
SUNNY White, 50. A bright, pixie-ish yoga teacher from California; her lightness and positivity contrast with moments of great depth and clarity.	female	50	White, 50. A bright, pixie-ish yoga teacher from California; her lightness and positivity contrast with moments of great depth and clarity.
ROBERT African-American, 30s. A former horse groomer from the deep South; hardened but not lacking a sense of humor. Deep rural Mississippi accent.	—	30s	African-American, 30s. A former horse groomer from the deep South; hardened but not lacking a sense of humor. Deep rural Mississippi accent.
GEORGIA/FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1 African-American, 30s. Robert’s wife, also Southern; opinionated, outspoken and extremely warm. She and Robert have a lovingly contentious relationship. Loves to speak her mind.	female	30s	African-American, 30s. Robert’s wife, also Southern; opinionated, outspoken and extremely warm. She and Robert have a lovingly contentious relationship. Loves to speak her mind.
GARY White, 45. A Midwestern hippie and an organic farmer. Clearly was in his element in the late 60s and early 70s. He is generally good-natured, friendly and quite smart.	male	60s	White, 45. A Midwestern hippie and an organic farmer. Clearly was in his element in the late 60s and early 70s. He is generally good-natured, friendly and quite smart.
KERRY White, 45. A 19-year-old trapped in a 45-year-old’s body, born and bred in Texas. Kerry was imprisoned for 22 of his 45 years and is eager to rediscover the world. Always wants to make sure he connects with whomever he is talking to. Strong Texas accent.	male	—	White, 45. A 19-year-old trapped in a 45-year-old’s body, born and bred in Texas. Kerry was imprisoned for 22 of his 45 years and is eager to rediscover the world. Always wants to make sure he connects with whomever he is talking to. Strong Texas accent.
DAVID African-American, 40. A gentle, sad man, born and raised in northern Florida (otherwise known as southern Alabama). Has a very strong spiritual sense and had aspirations to the ministry before being put on death row at 18. He is continually engaged in a battle between resignation and hope.	male	40	African-American, 40. A gentle, sad man, born and raised in northern Florida (otherwise known as southern Alabama). Has a very strong spiritual sense and had aspirations to the ministry before being put on death row at 18. He is continually engaged in a battle between resignation and hope.
SANDRA/SUE/FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2 White, 40. Sandra is married to Kerry. Sweet, nurturing, loves Kerry dearly and has a great sense of humor about him. She has a strong Texas accent. Sue is married to Gary. Salt of the earth; she is also an organic farmer. She has a strong upper Midwestern accent — think Fargo.	female	40	White, 40. Sandra is married to Kerry. Sweet, nurturing, loves Kerry dearly and has a great sense of humor about him. She has a strong Texas accent. Sue is married to Gary. Salt of the earth; she is also an organic farmer. She has a strong upper Midwestern accent — think Fargo.
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 and 2 Both white, 35–50. Male Ensemble 1 and 2 play police officers, attorneys, suspects and other supporting characters. Both actors should be good with dialects and characterization, and different from each other in build and appearance. Both roles require highly versatile, commanding actors.	male	50	Both white, 35–50. Male Ensemble 1 and 2 play police officers, attorneys, suspects and other supporting characters. Both actors should be good with dialects and characterization, and different from each other in build and appearance. Both roles require highly versatile, commanding actors.
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 Plays WHITE COP 1, KERRY’S DEFENSE, SHERIFF CARROLL, JESSE, COURT ATTORNEY, DAVID’S PROSECUTOR, VOICEOVER/INMATE, WHITE GUARD, JEFF, CELLMATE, EX-BOYFRIEND and FARMER.	—	—	Plays WHITE COP 1, KERRY’S DEFENSE, SHERIFF CARROLL, JESSE, COURT ATTORNEY, DAVID’S PROSECUTOR, VOICEOVER/INMATE, WHITE GUARD, JEFF, CELLMATE, EX-BOYFRIEND and FARMER.
MALE ENSEMBLE 2 Plays WHITE COP 2, KERRY’S PROSECUTION, RHODES, DEPUTY, SOUTHERN WHITE GUY, ROBERT’S JUDGE, DAVID’S DEFENSE, DOYLE and THE PROSECUTION.	—	—	Plays WHITE COP 2, KERRY’S PROSECUTION, RHODES, DEPUTY, SOUTHERN WHITE GUY, ROBERT’S JUDGE, DAVID’S DEFENSE, DOYLE and THE PROSECUTION.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1 (GEORGIA) Also plays STATE ATTORNEY, KERRY’S JUDGE and DARLA.	—	—	Also plays STATE ATTORNEY, KERRY’S JUDGE and DARLA.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2 (SANDRA/SUE) Also plays FEMALE LAWYER. The roles of BLACK COP, BLACK GUY 1 and BLACK INMATE are played by the actor who plays DAVID. The role of BLACK GUY 2 is played by the actor who plays ROBERT.	female	—	Also plays FEMALE LAWYER. The roles of BLACK COP, BLACK GUY 1 and BLACK INMATE are played by the actor who plays DAVID. The role of BLACK GUY 2 is played by the actor who plays ROBERT.