'OMOTENASHI Journey' to Move on to NEW YORK'S GOT TALENT Finals

The New York's Got Talent competition was held at The Elektra Theatre yesterday, March 16th, and a brand new musical-in-progress, "OMOTENASHI Journey" won and is moving on to the Finals.

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.

Writer & Musical Director Noriko Sunamoto (Japanese Production of The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, Off-Broadway's The Jackie Mason Musical) is supported by Lyricist Kat Kat Liz Kramer (Smokey Joe's Cafe 20th Anniversary National Tour, 2015 Fringe NYC's Single Room Occupancy), Lyricist/Choreographer Mary Lauren (Off-Broadway's The Jackie Mason Musical), Co-Choreographer Atsushi Eda (Tokyo Disney), Co-Choreographer Mai Nishioka (Tokyo Disney, Japanese Production of FAME, Sound of Music), Sound Designer Ian Wehrle (Off-Broadway's The Jackie Mason Musical) and General Manager Leslie Nicole Ivery (2015 Fringe NYC's Single Room Occupancy).

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 Japanese Pavilion at the Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida.

One of Judges, Brent Buell, Producer/Director (Deathbed, Ripple Effect Artists, Rhymes Over Beats - Company dedicated on Moving Hip Hop&Rap to Broadway) commented "You guys are so likeable and it was really pleasure to see you. I know Noriko exudes energy. The one thing I missed tonight the young Princess's breaking into the rap staff. I really missed it. Every show can have that. I like very much the desire to bring cultures together to have understanding cultures what they are doing. I really hope you guys get to the Epcot at Walt Disney World." Natalie Wilson commented "I wanted to see more. I feel it's very relevant. I feel like the world is ready to see this diversity together on stage. It was super great blend. Dancing was on point. Singing was great." Aida Angotti commented "I do also say how much appreciated the diversity not only of the storyline and the people on stage and talent. It makes for a show that could stand up to have a full-length 6 week run. I want to know more! Congratulations!"

The production featured Stacie Cannon, Kristina Coia (Walt Disney World), Atsushi Eda, Seika Ito, Miki Kikuchi, Chihiro Cute-Beat Kobayashi, Mary Lauren, Nobuki Momma, Mio Nakanishi (Universal Studio Japan), Chinami Nasu (Tokyo Disney), Mai Nishioka, Tomo Watanabe (Off-Broadway's Alice in Wonderland), and Anthony Wright as well as MacConnell Evans on a Japanese Taiko, Ken Hutchinson on Japanese Shamisen and Noriko Sunamoto on piano.

Sunamoto's "OMOTENASHI Journey" has performed for the annual Japan Day 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.

Six different acts compete in Times Square each week for your vote to win New York's Got Talent. OMOTENASHI Journey will perform at Finals on Tuesday April 26th at The Elektra Theater.

NEW YORK'S GOT TALENT is New York's best live talent show showcases the best, yet to be fully discovered, talent who hail from/reside in New York City and NYC's greater area. All talent is pre-screened and contains acts including: singers, dancers, magicians, jugglers, pet training tricks, burlesque, bands, guitarists, drummers, comedians, weird acts of all kinds, ventriloquists, drag-queens, lip syncers, sideshow, cirque, tappers, tumblers, gymnasts, balance acts, impersonators, acapella groups, and any other alternative performance art. The Elektra Theater is located at 300 W 43rd Street. 6 more groups will perform every Wednesday at 7:30pm.

For more information and to reserve your ticket, go to timesscarenyc.com/shows/nygottalent.

Watch a previous performance of OMOTENASHI Journey below!