Rock Opera By Local Musician Opens At Players' Ring

If you've never seen a show inspired by paint colors, you are probably not alone. But songwriter and guitarist Jon McCormack of Dover has produced just such a thing - a rock opera with music inspired by such colors as "French Chocolate" and"Gypsy Teal."

Unexpectedly moved to write music while standing in a hardware store checking out colors, the guitarist and songwriter found himself writing 16 songs in the coming weeks, songs that eventually spawned an album and a rock-opera stage production.

Running through March 8 to 24 at the Players' Ring in Portsmouth, "Paintbox" combines a band, actors and a script in a multi-media production that defies traditional definitions.

"The multi-media project will combine the power of a live band with the actors and will present visual material and dialog that bring the characters within the songs to life," said McCormack, who has been creating and playing in the Seacoast for nearly three decades now.

"The combination of what McCormack put in the concept album and what he took out of it to put in the theatrical show is fantastic," said Director Tomer Oz of Portsmouth, who plays music with McCormack. Paintbox is "incredibly original"

McCormack didn't necessarily like the colors "French Chocolate" or "Gypsy Teal" for the room he wanted to paint, but the names hit the spot when it came to inspiring music. McCormack's wife, Nicki Connors, soon pointed out that a character and a story were percolating in the lyrics and she became central to the creation of the album and the rock opera.

"It was really gratifying to collaborate with my wife," McCormack said. Connors now acts in the show and is billed as a co-producer.

The character that evolved from the songs was Annie Pepperberry, a creative person trying to find her way. The show follows Annie from age 8 into her 50s as she dreams of of being an artist but finds life getting in the way, starting with her mother.

"It's a kind of tragedy," said McCormack. "Her mother is very abusive and discouraging and so Annie has all these hurdles."

But ultimately, McCormack notes, the production boils down to a relatively upbeat message: "It's never too late, no matter what life throws at you or how discouraged you are."

McCormack himself had parents who supported his quest to be in the arts, but he empathizes with the challenge.

"Anyone who has had that dream of being creative and artistic and felt like life and all the responsibility has gotten in the way will understand Annie's situation," said McCormack, an English major in college who sells real estate in the day.

"Paintbox" has a cast of eight actors and five band members, who are also on-stage and integral to the show. McCormack himself is in the band and has a small role. Fellow band member, Richard Habib collaborated with McCormack on the album, which was released Dec. 8.

Although McCormack wrote the dialogue and created the characters, Oz was instrumental in bringing what McCormack wrote to life on the stage from casting, editing, organizing and adding his vision and creativity to the scenes, sets and performances.

"He's super talented, energetic and positive," McCormack said.

McCormack has started a kickstarter campaign in hope of raising enough money to fund the show. Then, he said, he can give all the money from ticket sales to the actors. The campaign is at http://kck.st/2DGyQcx.

Jordan Formichelli of Portsmouth plays the lead in a cast o actors that includes: Connors, Christian Maurice, Bruce Pingree, Elizabeth Feinschreiber, Haley DeValliere, Jordan DiTore and Bob Porzio.

Formichelli, who is assistant coordinating director at the Rochester Performance And Art Center, said she is "beyond excited, and honestly honored, that I will get to originate the role of Annie Pepperberry."

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