'Placing Out' tells compelling story of orphan trains

In the 1850s, New York City teemed with homeless children -- orphans, most of them, whose plight nagged the heartstrings of one Charles Loring Brace.

Through his Children's Aid Society of New York, the children were boarded on "orphan trains" and distributed across the United States, largely to farm families who were willing to raise them. From 1854 to 1929, an estimated 200,000 children were relocated, some to loving homes but others, valued more for their labor, to endless chores.

Still, many orphan train riders grew up to become prominent citizens, including two who were elected governors of their states.

When David Akemann first heard about the orphan trains a few years ago from his wife, Vickie, a first grade teacher, he was so moved by the stories of the children that he couldn't let them go.

"I thought it was a compelling story that I was hardly aware of," the Elgin attorney said, "and I soon discovered that most well-educated adults were not aware, either."

Akemann, who in 1988 co-founded Children's Theatre of Elgin with his twin brother, Peter, already had the perfect outlet for telling the orphans' story. CTE would be celebrating its 20th season this year, and with the anniversary in mind, David proposed they write their first original show.

"Placing Out," a Broadway-style musical, opens Friday at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. David Akemann is the producer; Peter Akemann directs.

The brothers called on Christine Tosun of Sleepy Hollow, who had served on the CTE board and helped adapt previous musicals, to write most of the script. They penned song lyrics themselves, collaborating with Tosun. And for the musical score, David and Peter knew that only one person would do -- their old friend, Daniel Brewbaker, a composer of world renown.

With a doctorate and a dozen years' teaching experience from the Juilliard School in New York City, Brewbaker has been commissioned to write music for some of the best musicians on the planet. A prelude for violinist Vadim Repin. A piece for mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade. An oratorio for Valery Gergiev and the Kirov Orchestra and Chorus in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Brewbaker and the Akemanns were Elgin schoolmates, singing together in Miss Jordan's chorus at Columbia Grade School and supporting the brass section in bands at Larsen Junior High and Elgin High School. Sometimes Brewbaker would grab his trumpet and bike to the Akemanns' home, where the boys practiced trios just for fun. Peter played trombone, and David, euphonium.

But the three share more than just a love for music. They also share the same birthday, having even been born in the same Sherman Hospital delivery room on Halloween of 1951.

"We go all the way back, if you will," David said.

"A few years ago I asked Dan if he'd ever be interested in stopping his world travels and writing some original music for one of our shows," David said.

Children's musical theater is a bit of a departure for Brewbaker, whose genius is generally focused on new symphonies and concertos.

"This gave me a chance to be simple," the New York resident said, "which is a wonderful feeling."

So wonderful, in fact, that Brewbaker didn't just hand off the music to a conductor like he usually does and move on to his next commissioned work. He stayed in Elgin to rehearse with the kids and command the orchestra pit himself.

Brewbaker has enjoyed not only the chance to conduct again but also the interaction with cast and crew.

"Composing is a very lonely business," he said.

"When I started working with the children and teaching them the music, I got drawn in," Brewbaker said. "I was moved by the Akemanns' dedication and the dedication of the children themselves, their parents and of the whole community.

"This piece has occasioned a very profound reconnection with home. This is the most time I've spent here since I was 17 years old, and that was a long time ago."

"Placing Out" has been written as historical fiction, Peter said, but includes true stories the brothers found in their research. The topic is unusually serious for children's theater, but he said elements of humor and even a romance have been worked into the script.

"We want it to be kid-friendly," Peter said. "We know not all the stories end happily, but we don't depict that."

As director, he said it was challenging to get the young actors to relate to the orphans they portray.

"Their brains have no holding place for what these kids went through," he said. "To stand there and be selected like cattle, to have all your possessions in a cardboard box. In the iPod world, they don't have much connection with that."

CTE casts usually range from second through ninth grades; some older high school students and adults were added for this production, however, to make the story more real and strengthen the vocals.

Lauren Brackett, a senior at Jacobs High School, plays a leading role as an agent accompanying the riders.

"I love it," Brackett said. "I get to work with so many of the younger children who are the orphans on the train. They're all amazing actors and actresses."

Also amazing, Peter said, is the set.

"The crème de la crème is the train, which is hidden in the first act," he said. At 42 feet long and eight feet wide, the three cars overwhelm the Hemmens stage and are cut away so the audience can see the action.

"Placing Out" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, which run $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors, are available by calling the Hemmens Box Office at (847) 931-5900.

If you go

What: "Placing Out," an original musical by Children's Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin

How much? $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors

Info: Call (847) 931-5900 or visit www.cteelgin.com/