Photo courtesy of Eric Johnson "Twitch: A Rock Opera From the Earth" combines music, theater, film and art with a message urging the human race to preserve the environment. The musical premieres tonight at the Muse Theatre.

Multimedia production with an environmentalist message

This September, there's going to be a new girl in town, and her name is Twitch.

So who is this girl with the funny name?

Twitch is a nature spirit who becomes human in order to help prevent the human race from destroying the Earth.

"{Twitch} is sent by Mother Earth as both a warning and a hope · She's a classic hero," said John Paul Marchand, Twitch's creator. "She goes on a quest, on a journey, like any mythological archetype, and she discovers herself along the way."

And, finally, Twitch is the star of Marchand's new show opening at the Muse, titled "Twitch: A Rock Opera From the Earth." The character Twitch is played by Ali Bonner.

Though "Twitch" has come to shape as a multi-media rock opera, complete with a 15-foot puppet, showgirls, a video, a seven-piece rock band called Sun Zoom Spark, a chorus, a shaman, eight main characters and an art show, it was originally written as a feature-length film.

"Twitch" has an environmental theme that is close to writer Marchand's heart, and was actually an outlet for his growing frustration regarding the environment.

"I love music, and it might sound trite, but I love the Earth," Marchand said. "And I've been an environmental activist for years. We all know that we're junking the planet, but when you really get into the facts about it, it gets really hard."

And thus, "Twitch" was born.

As a rock opera, music is essential to "Twitch's" appeal. Eric Johnson, musical director and leader of Sun Zoom Spark, was approached by Marchand three-and-a-half years ago with lyrics and a few simple chord progressions. His job was to turn this foundation into a musical extravaganza.

"My band, Sun Zoom, basically arranged it all, and recorded it at Slowburn recording studio," Johnson said. "The CD itself is an amazing thing, how it came together."

There are 20 local Tucson artists featured on the CD, which has the same title as the live show.

After Sun Zoom Spark recorded the CD, they learned that the film would be turned into a rock opera and would need a band to perform the music live. Although the entire original band was no longer together, Sun Zoom Spark agreed to do the show with some new members, one of whom is Marchand on percussion.

"The music ranges from acoustic, simple folk arrangements to pretty overblown rock and roll, psychedelic-acid-rock kinds of music," Johnson said. "(During the show) the band is going to be on this 10 by 16 riser that actually looks like the top of a building."

If there's one thing to be gleaned from the show, it's that now is the time to find a balance between nature and our desire to analyze and dissect it.

"It's a heavy message but it's done with a really light, fun flair," Marchand said. "I think pop culture is a great way to get a message across."

"Twitch: A Rock Opera From the Earth" begins Sept. 19 and runs through the 22, and then again from the 26 through the 29, at the Muse Theatre, 516 N. Fifth Ave. Tickets can be purchased at Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave., for $10, and at the door for $13. Call 272-7722 for details, including information about the art show, called The Evolution of Flight, before every performance.