New York City 1872. . . Thousands of orphans throng the streets of a city wracked by crime, pestilence and economic chaos. Young minister Charles Loring Brace has a solution: send these “surplus” children to new families in the West, saving lives and souls — while providing cheap labor for the nation's expanding frontier.
Orphan Train follows a spirited group of orphans as they embark upon the greatest adventure of their young lives. Some will find comfort and fulfillment of dreams, others misery and danger worse than what they left behind. And when the program is threatened by scandal, will Rev. Brace have the force and
courage to save it?
Orphan Train is a powerful reminder of how a nation and its character are built — one child, one family at a time.
This world premiere New York Musical Theatre Festival production is directed by five-time Tony-nominated and two-time Emmy-winning legend Pat Birch and features music composed by Doug Katsaros, 2004 Drama Desk Nominee for Altar Boyz' outstanding orchestration.