It’s not often these days , while sitting in the theater , that one can literally “ hear a pin drop . ”

But during the 90 minutes that this first-rate production of “ The Exonerated” is unfolding , the silence belies how completely the audience is in the grips of this powerful play .

It’s a shocking and true story about the criminal-justice system in the United States . The piece tells the survival stories of six innocent individuals sentenced to death row , who , by their courage , hope and tenacity , are fi nally exonerated by DNA evidence , proof of prosecutorial misconduct , and confessions of the truly guilty parties .

The six wrongfully-convicted people , who escaped death row after having lived the nightmare from between two yearsto more than 20 , are powerfully portrayed by Cedric A . Turner , and by Master of Fine Arts student / actors Brooks Brantly , Kevin Coubal , Christina Greer , Phil Korth and Philip AJ Smithey . These well-trained actors masterfully create three-dimensional and believable characters that instantly grab compassion and sympathy from the audience .

The fine supporting players are Brittany Green , Ryan Guess , Gretchen Goode , Robbie Thompson , Jr ., Brian Patrick Williams and Arron Lloyd . Usually in a review , it is not necessary to name every actor in a play . In the case of “ The Exonerated , ” to leave out the name of any one actor would in itself be a criminal act .

The cast is ably directed by Dale AJ Rose . Michael Anania’s stark scenic design is perfect . The costumes by Jeanette Drake capture the time and place . Lighting designer Mike Billings keeps the focus on the action and the players . Jack Nardi’s sound design maintains a perfect balance .

This well-written drama by Jessica Bland and Erik Jensen is largely verbatim from interviews and court documents , including direct testimony . Although the victims’ stories vary widely , the accused are often on the lower end of the socio-economic scale , often black men , or , in the minds of the prosecutors , deserve to be punished due to their perceived sexual preference .

The play indicts the prejudices and injustice of mostly backwater bigotry in the Deep South and the Southwest , and the “ state” in the form of politically ambitious district attorneys , judges , sheriffs , deputies and politicians who refuse to hear or accept new evidence that could reverse wrongful first conclusions .

It’s sadly true that one in eight people sentenced to death in this country has been wrongly convicted . This story of six innocents who survived gives us food for thought and debate .

“ The Exonerated” plays at the Nafe Katter Theatre , at UConn , on Tuesday , Oct . 13 through Sunday , Oct . 18 . Ticket prices range from $ 11 to $ 29 . Call 860-486-4226 for tickets . Ask about their “ buy one show , get the next show free” offer . www . crt . uconn . edu .

The Connecticut Repertory Theatre ( CRT ) is the professional producing arm of the Department of Dramatic Arts of the University of Connecticut , Storrs , Conn . © Copyright 2009 . Critics On The Aisle . All rights reserved