TALES of the ORPHAN TRAIN RIDERS
by
Phil Martin
Celebrating the lives and stories of the children that rode the Orphan Trains west
In 1853—the cities of the east coast, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and others, were teeming with children—poor children living in foundling homes and urchins wandering the streets—orphans and runaways, some abandoned by parents who had no way of caring for them and some choosing the street over abusive homes. This is the story of how they survived, how they were rescued and the journey that took them west—on the Orphan Trains.
Tales of the Orphan Train Riders is a perfect celebration for communities to honor their history and perhaps even their riders. A variable array of adults, teenagers and youth make up the cast.
The show is orchestrated for piano, bass, drums, guitar/banjo and violin.