A blunt off-Broadway play criticizing the American justice system opened Tuesday night at Grady Gammage Auditorium.
"The Exonerated" tells the true stories of death-row inmates, all convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to death and later found innocent. The play stars Mia Farrow and John Savage and is directed by Bob Balaban.
Writers Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen traveled cross-country for six weeks to conduct 40 interviews with the former death-row prisoners and their families.
In notes from the authors, Blank and Jensen said that their intention was "to relate as fully as possible what it is like to be wrongly accused and convicted, what it is like to be on death row, and what it is like to get out and be in the world again."
Delbert Tibbs was a death row inmate who was exonerated of all charges after three years.
"By having my story told, I hope to make thoughtful people think and possibly shake them from certain complacency," Tibbs said.
Tibbs said he believes that by the government supporting the death penalty, it implicates all citizens who pay to carry out the sentences.
He added that he was opposed to the death penalty even before he was on death row.
"Hopefully, this play will allow people to appreciate and listen to what others are saying so they can review their own personal stance and see that it only breeds more hate," he said.
John Savage, who plays former death row inmate Kerry Max Cook, discussed his personal views on the death penalty.
"The death penalty is not a good way to represent our country as a democracy," he said. "We are sending the wrong message ... killing people doesn't solve the problem or provide closure."
"The Exonerated," part of the M & I Bank Broadway in Arizona series, will run through Feb. 1. Shows can be seen at 7:30 p.m. through Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $17.50 to $47.50; however, student discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased at the Gammage Auditorium Box Office, or through Ticketmaster at 480-784-4444 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Reach the reporter at sarah.bannan@asu.edu.
