The death penalty and justice system becomes disturbingly real when true stories arise about the people who experience it firsthand — and have lived to tell about it.

“The Exonerated,” the Des Moines Playhouse’s newest production, uses biographical information from six inmates who were wrongly found guilty of various crimes and sent to death row.

The play is the first collaborative production by the Des Moines Playhouse and StageWest, a resident company of the Civic Center’s Stoner Theater.

“I think this is a strong story about surviving,” says director Todd Buchacker. “It’s not depressing, even though it deals with sad and disturbing issues, but those issues are real and they are the truth. These are really happening in our prisons and in our country. The audience can decide for themselves on how they feel about the death penalty.”

The main theme of the play deals with the judicial system in the United States and takes a stand on the controversial issue of the death penalty.

Kathi Fieldsend of Des Moines plays Sunny, a woman who was on death row for 16 years and was kept from all human contact.

“I think this production has such a strong message and it deals with a really important issue,” Fieldsend says. “I personally think the death penalty is wrong, and the people this play was written about had hard lives and they were almost executed because of crimes they did not commit.”

The play, Fieldsend says, made her think strongly about the justification behind federal executions.

“I think something is wrong with the death penalty if innocent people are being killed,” she says. “Attention must be paid. I think this play is important because it makes you think about the message and the issues that it talks about.”

“The Exonerated” is not a typical theatrical production. The actors sit in a row on a blank stage and the costumes are simple street clothes. The structure is simple, with no movement, props or scenery.

“I think the dialogue is moving enough that the production doesn’t need sets or costumes,” Buchacker says. “The play was originally written for an off-Broadway production and its always been presented this way. ‘The Exonerated’ is definitely a presentational piece.”

The play deals with strong issues and profanity is present in most of the dialogue — but Buchacker says he doesn’t think the play is graphic enough to offend audiences.

“The occasional profanity is used and controversial issues are discussed, but I think most people would understand the show,” Buchacker says.

“It’s obviously not for children — they wouldn’t even understand the message.”

Richie Gibbs, who plays Kerry Max Cook, a man who spent 20 years in prison for murder, says he thinks that though the play may use blunt language and deal with difficult themes, its message makes it worthwhile.

“As actors or filmmakers, we all have the notion that we want to do something with our lives, something great,” he says. “We want people to remember us and we want to feel that we touched the world somehow. I think by doing plays like this that we are making a mark. Productions like this make people think.”

What: “The Exonerated”

Where: Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St., Des Moines

When: Jan. 28 – Feb. 13

Cost: prices vary