Photo Flash: World Premiere of EN by STOMP Vet.

Theater for the New City presents EN, a thrilling percussion/dance show created by STOMP nine-year veteran Yako Miyamoto, and performed by the all female Japanese troupe COBU will have its world premiere on Thursday 9/17.

EN, meaning "perfect combustion" in Japanese, is a unique bi-cultural theatrical show that fuses traditional Japanese taiko drumming, American funk tap dancing and martial arts. The young, hip and fierce all female Japanese ensemble goes by the name COBU, translated as ‘Dance Like Drumming, Drum Like Dancing'. EN is a visual and musical thrill for audiences of all ages featuring diverse instruments such as Japanese taiko drums, African djembe drums, samisens (Japanese banjos), shime-daikos (small Japanese drums) and narukos (hand-held wooden clappers). No knowledge of Japanese or English is necessary to enjoy the show!

The cast is lead by the show's creator/choreographer and founder of COBU, Yako Miyamoto, who began her taiko drum studies in Tokyo at the age of eight. She currently stars in the hit Off-Broadway show, STOMP, as well as being a lead performer in the Peggy Spina Tap Company. Miyamoto is also a choreographer for the international show Fire Dance.

COBU has been the recipient of tremendous acclaim:

"Imagine that a wild mixtape of world music had suddenly released its energy into the atmosphere, then materialized in the flesh as nine whirling dervishes stomping their feet and slicing the air with drumsticks, and you would have some idea of what it's like to watch Otodama. From the moment the lights go down and white vapor billows onto the floor, seemingly issuing from a huge Taiko drum, you feel as if you're in the grip of something powerful, primal and exotic, but simultaneously lighthearted, fun and familiar. Otodama is full of surprises, and for families, it's a thrilling ride." ~ The New York Times/Laurel Graeber

"Dynamic! The performers tap with the same ferocity they bring to their virtuosic drumming. This unlikely juxtaposition of music and dance styles works like a charm." ~ The Chicago Sun-Times/Hedy Weiss

"Wondrous beyond words...The members of COBU are an extremely talented group of people with a belief in making two opposites come together in a harmonious way. It is raw talent with no technical equipment to enhance the performance. Otodama is undoubtedly as fun to listen to as it is to watch!" ~ BroadwayWorld.com/Amanda Scarpone

COBU, based in New York City, was created as a live rhythm performing arts group in 2000. COBU's motto, ‘Dance Like Drumming, Drum Like Dancing', is inspired by the combined sounds of New York and traditional Japanese culture. COBU combines elements of traditional Japanese taiko drumming along with rhythmic tap dancing. Their signature style and sound juxtaposes the traditional with the modern, making them one of the most unique and original groups around. COBU have performed throughout the United States, Japan, Europe and all across Asia. Earlier this year they performed in Washington DC at a Cherry Blossom Festival event attended by President Obama and the first lady. In June of this year they won the 2009 ‘Kollaboration New York' First Prize at NYU's Skirball Center. COBU will be performing September 5 - 7 at Bumbershoot 2009, Seattle's Music & Arts Festival. (http://www.bumbershoot.org)

The COBU ensemble consists of Yako Miyamoto, Micro Fukuyama, Nozomi Gunji, Haruna Hisada, Hana Ogata and Yuki Yamamori. The design team includes Yako Miyamoto (Original Music), Yukinobu Okazaki (Set Design) and Ayumu "Poe" Saegusa (Lighting Design).

Performances take place from September 17 - 20, 2009 at Theater for the New City's Johnson Theater, located at 155 First Avenue in NYC. Performances take place on Thursday, September 17 at 8pm, Friday, September 18 at 3pm & 8pm, Saturday, September 19 at 3pm & 8pm, and Sunday, September 20 at 3pm & 7pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at www.TheaterMania.com or by calling 212-352-3101. Tickets are $40 for the final performance on Sunday, September 20 at 7pm. The running time is 80 minutes. For more information on COBU visit www.COBU.us.

Sign language will be provided during one song.