OMOTENASHI JOURNEY Wins 2nd Prize at New York's Got Talent Finals

A brand new musical-in-progress that has made waves across multiple Japanese newspapers, "OMOTENASHI Journey" won the 2nd prize at New York's Got Talent Finals at Off-Broadway The Elektra Theater last night on Tuesday, on April 26th.

In "OMOTENASHI Journey," the Japanese call their hospitality "OMOTENASHI," meaning warmth, understanding, respect, gratitude and kindness. Inspired by the slogan for the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Japan and with aims of Magical Realism, this performance will give audiences a firsthand experience to the true Magic of Japanese hospitality.

After an interesting set of acts including magic and vigorous one-hand piano-playing, veteran composer Noriko Sunamoto's brand new project showcased its longest piece in the competition yet - about ten minutes - and has again delighted the unsuspecting audience and judges alike for the third time.

This piece included some familiar elements seen from the previous contests at New York Got Talent: the progressing storyline between the African-American man and Japanese princess who wish to marry despite skeptical parents, the twist that is ninjas sweeping in to create an aura of suspense, and the cheerful score that brings you back to the imaginative, peaceful days of being an innocent child, aspiring to do anything your heart set on.

But there were some surprising and wonderful additions to the piece last night. Two of the production's characters - a white young woman and a Japanese young man - interacted with the audience in a non-intrusive and delightful way. They swept the aisles and sang along with the biggest cast yet seen in the contest, over 25 singers, dancers, and actors, and they marvelously, colorfully, gracefully made the small stage that would limit most productions of this caliber their own.

That said, there was more ensemble singing in harmony in this piece than previous ones. There was less plot even for its longest running time yet, but the piece began with a simple introduction for newcomers to grasp the theme: cultural diffusion, a mixing of cultures that ultimately leads to change and/or the spread of good. We see Westerners lost in a different time and place than they're used to, then the piece quickly jumps into the marriage subplot between the princess and the African-American man it would seem jumpy and crammed for some newcomers who haven't seen the more fleshed-out, shorter pieces that debuted in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

However, Omotenashi Journey is meant to be at least an hour long and seen on a large stage, so trying to pick a piece of a puzzle to try to represent the whole wouldn't do the whole production justice. From what was seen tonight and in previous nights, Omotenashi Journey will succeed in sending its critical message about cultural interaction and the necessity and beauty of diversity through not expositional dialogue or didactic lecturing, but by the sheer magic of its graceful choreography, its Disney-like story, and cheerful, heartfelt score.

The production featured Sayaka Aiba (Tokyo Disney), Stacie Cannon, Kristina Coia (Walt DisneyWorld), Bobby Gámez, Yui Hasegawa, Shiori Ichikawa (Off-Broadway: Comfort Women, Double Suicide at Ueno Park, Emergency or the World Takes a Selfie), Seika Ito, Chris "Chrisy" Kakurai (Tokyo Disney), Miki Kikuchi, Angelique Laurin, Nobuki Momma (Tokyo Nikikai), Satoko Mori, Mio Nakanishi (Universal Studio Japan), Seira Nakanishi, Mai Nishioka (Tokyo Disney), Mai Odaira, Tomo Watanabe (Off-Broadway's Alice in Wonderland), Imani PEarl Williams, Anthony Wright, Ken Hutchinson (Shamisen) and MacConNell Evans (Taiko).

The host and producer, Cooper Jordan introduced OMOTENASHI Journey and said that they want to give the hospitality of the Japanese culture to the world. Their dream is to perform at the Epcot center in the Japanese Pavilion in Walt Disney World.

One of the judges, Jessie Fahay commented "I just want to say I am so proud we had an act like you. What I wanted to say first was that I am so proud that we had something like this that represents such an important culture that we don't see enough of in this city. So, I wanna salute you for that, first of all. Second of all, if your goal is Epcot, you're there. From what I know about Epcot, from what I know about Disney World, you guys have an act that is just as good, if not better, than what I've seen there."

Brent Buell commented "I happen to really like you guys. I really - I have enjoyed; every time I've seen you, there's something new. I have really really liked it. I didn't think tonight's performance was the most cohesive because you were trying to put together a longer piece and put various things together. Let me tell you something: if I had paid to see this tonight, all I'd need is for you to pull out your wedding gown and you to go into your rap element- it's so wonderful, and I feel that that moment says everything you're saying in this show about the merging of cultures, the love that could be between people. Just in terms of moving forward, however, whatever happens whether you win or don't win, you're all winners because that's what you did with the message you presented. And I have to say I love you guys for it. I really do. You've touched me every time you've been up there."

Sunamoto's "OMOTENASHI Journey" has performed for the annual Japan Day 2015 at Central Park festival, as an opening act of the Off-Broadway Musical Comedy 702 Punchlines and Pregnant: The Jackie Mason Musical at St. Luke's Theatre, and Kajiki's Artist Show at Carnegie Hall. Their next performance will be at the annual Japan Day 2016 at Central Park festival which will mark their ten years anniversary on Sunday May 8th.

The creative team: Writer, Composer, Musical Director: Noriko Sunamoto Script Advisor, Lyricist: Kristina Coia Choreographer: Chris "Chrisy" Kakurai Co-Choreographer: Atsushi Eda, Mio Nakanishi (Japanese Traditional Dance), Mai Nishioka(Yosakoi Dance, Ninja Dance), Anthony Wright (African Dance), Yui Hasegawa (Ballet) Recording Artist: Trevor Bachman, Mary Lauren, Christopher Morriss, Kevin Necciai, Jillian Schiralli, Tomo Watanabe Sound Engineer: Ian Wehrle General Manager: Leslie Nicole Ivery

For more information, go to www.norikosunamoto.com.