The individual in question was born into a Jewish family in Berlin, Germany, and due to the impending Nazi persecution, he was raised as a Lutheran to protect him from harm. This courageous decision was made to safeguard his well-being and ensure his survival.
As the threat of Nazi occupation loomed, he fled Germany in 1937, making his way to Italy, where he attended a prestigious music conservatory in Rome. This educational institution provided him with a solid foundation in music, and he soon secured a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati.
With a sense of urgency, he immigrated to the United States in 1939, penniless and without a word of English, in order to avoid being conscripted by German military authorities. At the tender age of 18, he found himself in a foreign land, struggling to make a new life for himself.
To avoid any potential complications, he adopted the surname of his adopted father, Elliott B. Hague, an eye surgeon with strong ties to the university. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1942 and went on to serve in the U.S. military for more than two years, demonstrating his dedication to his new country.
After his military service, he embarked on a career as a composer, eventually celebrating his first Broadway success with the opening of the hit 1955 musical 'Plain and Fancy.' This Amish-themed show featured the talented Barbara Cook and the popular song 'Young and Foolish.'
