"Beethoven" Play Standing Ovations Success at Sold Out BACCA Arts Center

It was a magical weekend (Aug 5-6) at the BACCA Arts Center in Lindenhurst which presented the World Premiere of a fascinating well-researched play; Beethoven's Promethean Concerto in C Minor WoO, The Man, The Myth, The Music. This classically written play, completed 14 years ago, is the brainchild of East Patchogue resident, Cindi Sansone-Braff, a lifelong Long Island resident and award-winning playwright. Cindi has also been named Best Psychic 5 times by the "Long Island Press." She also played Josephine and the Egyptian Dancer. Beethoven was produced by Tomorrow's Classic Theatre Company. The production received long standing ovations both nights.

Musical Director, Debi Toni, a Lindenhurst native, and her choir were brilliant and received hearty applause after each presentation of three great Beethoven's hymns. The Long Islanders in the choir; James Lombardi, Jessica Thompson, Christine Weber, Amanda Peters, Kerri Oman, Henry Hortsmann, and Peter Muhr mesmerized the audience. Debi Toni has been a teacher for 15 years. She holds a NYS teacher certification . The multi gifted Debi Toni is the CEO and Founder of Debi Toni Music Studios, specializing in all levels of music instruction, from beginner to professional; instrumental, vocal, piano and all aspects of performance/auditions.

Michael Brinzer, also a Lindenhurst native, played the role of Beethoven with such brilliance many in the audience had tears in their eyes as they stood to applaud him both nights of the two-night-limited performances. Mr.Brinzer also an accomplished pianist stunned the audience when in character he steps in front of a grand piano and plays Beethoven's classic, Moonlight Sonata. His performance will no doubt stay deep in the minds of all who saw him.

Following Aristotle’s principles of three unities, this mesmerizing Four Movement musical drama takes place Aug. 6, 1826, the fateful day when Beethoven's beloved nephew shot himself in the head. Forced to review the soul-searching record of his life, Beethoven ponders the lifelong universal question that had tortured and plagued him, as well as Hamlet and all humankind since the dawn of time: “To be or not to be?"

Sansone-Braff's tedious pre-google research is obvious along with what she calls "psychic channeling" may have produced the finest play script on Ludwig Van Beethoven's life, career and Myth ever.