TUNNEL

by Randall Wise

presented by IronAge Theatreat

Eastern State Penitentiary

Tunnel Music Designed by Darron West

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The Iron Age Theatre company produced Tunnel in 1994 and 1995 at thehistoric Eastern State Penitentiary. Randall Wise's play explored the livesof six inmates who participated in a daring underground escape from thehigh security facility in 1945. Clarence Klinedinst who masterminded theescape, dug a 90 foot tunnel underground for over eighteen months. He and12 men escaped in April of 1945 and ran from the prison onto FairmountSt. in Philadelphia. All were captured and returned to prison. Klinedinstwho had only months to go for parole was captured within two hours of hisescape and received an additional 25 years in prison. Accompaning Klinedinstthe escape was the immortal Willie Sutton. The play examined life in prison,the need for freedom and the struggle of one man to attain freedom and"have something to do!" This story played to packed houses fortwo years at the prison and received rave reviews.

The reviewers agree: "But it's a good tale, well-told,and if you've never been there, seeing the old prison is itself worth theprice of a ticket."
Doug Keating
Philadelphia Inquirer

"In the end, what lifts Tunnel out of the rut of conventional docudramais the performance of William Rayhill as Kliney. Unlike toother escapees, Klinedinst had a lot to lose: He was serving a short sentenceand would have been eligible for parole in two years. The script does makea stab at explaining his motivation, but Rayhill fleshes it out absorbingthe despair from the walls and transmuting it into obsession"
Elizabeth Finkler
Philadelphia Welcomat


"Eastern State, known
for its unique design of hallways branching out from a central rotunda,provides the perfect setting for Tunnel, directed by John Doyle and RandallWise. Audience members are seated in the rotunda, a damp, dimly lit roomcomplete with peeling plaster and exposed masonry. The finality of a lifesentence is made clear as the play opens in darkness; the passage of timeis punctuated by the loud slamming of prison gates with the announcementof each passing year. The intriguing two-act drama centers around "Kliney"Klinedinst (played by William Rayhill), a reclusive inmate wanting "outon my own terms."
Catherine Gray
Arcade: Suburban Publications Entertainment Magazine
For information on the play and production rights contact Randall Wiseat (610) 687-5736
for information about EasternState Penitentiary contact (215)236-7236

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