At age 8, this self-described “chunky Italian boy” ran away from his home by crossing the street to a church following music played by Erdean, the church’s Sunday School teacher, who introduced him to making music. He was raised by a dying mother and schizophrenic father and the resulting wounds began to heal that day as he found acceptance and hope in the healing power of music.

“It only takes a moment to change a life,” Sweitzer said, noting he can’t imagine how his life would have turned out if “Erdean didn’t open the door, hug me and show me the piano.”

He continues to follow the music. He’s founded a nationally recognized, award-winning therapeutic arts organization in northern Virginia, where music therapy interventions help individuals reach their goals and potential.

Now 52 and living in Virginia, he returns to his hometown May 9 and 10 for two, 60-minute presentations on his latest steps forward in “An Afternoon or Evening with Tom Sweitzer.”

Carla O'Brien signs her book for Keith Larrimore at The Church in the Middle of the Block. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

He will share how his autobiographical one-man play “20 Seconds” which ran off-Broadway for six weeks in 2023 is being developed into a full musical production with an expanded cast. He will share his journey of writing his show and sing a couple songs from the upcoming musical version. He will also have an open discussion with the audience.

These sessions are sponsored by Steve and Nancy Sheetz.

This next step came about through another serendipitous connection. Eight-time Tony Award-winning producer Joey Parnes attended the final night of “20 Seconds” at the Signature Theatre on 42nd Street.

“He met me afterward and told me that I have something fresh and original. He particularly liked the character of Erdean and that the show had all the structure of what could maybe be a good musical,” Sweitzer recalled.

“20 Seconds the Musical” begins with Sweitzer as the musical’s narrator, who explains where he is today, a successful music therapist and how music therapy helps people with a variety of conditions and challenges.

Tom Sweitzer poses for a photograph on March 31 at The Church in the Middle of the Block. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Joey Parnes Productions serves as general manager for the project along with producers Ben Graham and Frank Baltz, dramaturg Liz Frankel and co-composed by Kyle Boardman.

“I want this show to be transformative to the people who watch it, that people walk out feeling hopeful and that they can forgive somebody and leave knowing what music therapy is. I feel people connect to my story. People connect to my mission and that is why I want to put this on a bigger platform.”

He’s also on another mission to raise more money to be used for financial aid by clients in his music therapy practice “A Place to Be,” serves 250 individuals and families per week through 11 full-time music therapists. The center doesn’t turn away those who can’t pay, so fund-raising helps cover unreimbursed costs.

“Everything is connected. The show is connected to love and forgiveness and it’s connected to a Place to Be Music Therapy.”

Helping others connect to do good

Shown is the cover for the book "Carla's Heart," by city native Tom Sweitzer. Sweitzer will hold a talk, "An Afternoon with Tom Sweitzer, a presentation about his upcoming off-Broadway show '20 Seconds'" Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Sweitzer has helped others make significant connections, such as the one between Keith Larrimore, his former neighbor on Fifth Avenue, and Virginia artist and cancer survivor Carla O’Brien, whose sons received services at A Place to Be.

O’Brien and Larrimore met for the first time recently at The Church in the Middle of the Block. Their journey started when Sweitzer posted on social media that a sponsor was needed for a children’s book he’d written called “Carla’s Heart.”

The book was written to help children understand cancer treatment and is an homage to O’Brien’s story of healing and her mission to distribute 1 million painted hearts. Book sales benefit the music therapy practice and will be available at Sweitzer’s presentations.

Larrimore, who hadn’t seen Sweitzer in more than 30 years, responded because “It touched me,” Larrimore said shortly before the two met. “I had prostate cancer.” Three years after successful treatment, the retired 30-year railroad worker is doing well.

In 2022, O’Brien was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Later follow up testing showed heart damage as a consequence of treatment.

“During treatment I got the idea that I needed to be feeling full of love,” O’Brien said. “I think love is our highest state of being and I wanted to have a way to be in love with life, even during all the ick that is cancer treated.”

During her illness, she painted hearts, drew hearts and wrote about love and posted it all on Facebook. At first it was to thank all her friends who supported her and grew to others.

“What started happening is that it became a sort of check-in for people who needed a little love every day,” she said.

A subsequent heart test showed her heart had healed itself. While her cardiologist declined to call it a miracle, she said, “I know that it was about being in a community of love and expressing love every day.”

Her goal is to create and distribute 1 million

4×4 painted canvas hearts. Since Valentine’s Day — the day of the book launched and her related campaign began, she’s sold 250.

She gifted Larrimore with two hearts — one painted blue and white the other black and gold the colors of his favorite football teams Penn State and the Steelers. Her thank you for his sponsorship.

“It’s great fun. I have so much joy gifting a heart to someone,” O’Brien said. “I know it will sit in their home and remind them to bring up love in their hearts every day. At this time in the world, I can’t imagine anything more important.”

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.

If you go

WHAT: An Afternoon or Evening with Tom Sweitzer, a presentation about his off-Broadway show “20 Seconds”

WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. May 9 in the upstairs theater or 2 p.m. May 10

downstairs in the Egyptian Hall, handicap

accessible, drop off in back,

of The Church in the Middle of the Block Cultural Center, 217 5th Ave., Altoona

TICKETS: $10 at the door