The ‘Brat Pack’ almost grows up - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

Today and tomorrow at the Music Museum, Greenhills – the country’s premiere vocal group, The CompanY will stage their biggest and most elaborate concert to date . . . again. The CompanY Hits 15-The Repeat is a celebration of the group’s 15 years in showbiz.

A decade and a half gone by so fast for this vocal sextet. It was back in the mid-’80s when stage and television director, Floy Quintos, described these Ateneo College Glee Club alumni as the local music industry’s brat pack; and rightfully so.

"We were fresh out of Ateneo and, quite frankly, acting like music snobs. Our approach to music was very different then. If it was difficult and not commercial, we would tackle it head on. Hence, we exclusively concentrated on mainstream jazz and contemporary a cappella jazz back then. We then matched our packaging with the jazz music (i.e. tuxedos and art deco ball gowns). Looking back, we were quite insecure of just being labeled as a dime a dozen showband with nothing new to offer, so we went to the other extreme instead and became elitist music snobs. On hindsight, such artistic neurosis is hilarious . . . or maybe it was just the impetuousness of youth", reminisces CompanY artistic director - Moy Ortiz.

But all of that has changed 15 years after. The CompanY members have learned these lessons the hard way. They have learned to take themselves less seriously. They have learned that their audience can only enjoy their performance if they themselves are enjoying the moment. The CompanY has had to relearn the joy that comes from singing, instead of treating music like a mental musical relay course.

Lessons like these were not learned the easy way and definitely did not come overnight. It took the group 15 years to get to this point when they can honestly say that they can accept each other’s idiosyncrasies and uniqueness instead of just grinning and bearing their differences.

But it isn’t over yet. The CompanY, like everything else in life, is still a work in progress. There are still endless music horizons to be charted. There are still many life lessons to be learned. These six individuals are bent on the artistic and personal growth. Sharing a common artistic vision for the group but at the same time encouraging each other to grow as artist and as people. In an industry where fame is measured by the minutes, The CompanY has much to be thankful for throughout these 15 years and counting. They have not only survived every music trend that has come along; but more than, The CompanY has even flourished amidst the ephemera of the public’s taste.

Looks like that local music’s Brat-packers have almost grown up but still not quite yet. Together, their journey still continues as they strive to forge their unending quest for artistic and personal improvement.

So, their upcoming 15th Anniversary concert will be the group’s best testament on what they have learned all this time. The CompanY Hits 15 is directed and written by Floy Quintos, Ricky Lopez and Moy Ortiz. Line producers of the show are the multi-awarded sister tandem - Margot and Edith M. Gallardo. Special guest of the show is multi-awarded entertainer - Nanette Inventor, UP Theater Actor - Jo Mari Jose and Hotlegs. Beth Martin will be the concert’s musical director and band leader. Cristine Blando choreographs this highly theatrical pop-jazz vocal concert. Make up and styling will be done by international beauty queen - Nina Ricci Alagao.

The CompanY Hits 15! - The Repeat! is presented by GAP Productions in cooperation with Motorola. This show is also brought to you by Jacob’s Hi-Calcium Crackers, Nissan North Edsa, Lyric Pianos, BMG Records Pilipinas Inc., Ilonggo Grill, Janilyn Shoes, The Philippine STAR, DWBM 105.1 Crossover, Joey @ 92.3, RX 93.1 Monster Radio, 88.3 Citilite.

Ticket outlets The Music Museum (721-6726 & 7210635), Backroom, Inc. (435-1098, 435-1108, 435-3808, 435-1120, and 928-0717), Telesis Records (911-2117 & 912-6771). For ticket deliveries and reservations go to www.ticket2me.com or page 1277-61605.

Moreover, a retrospective exhibit also entitled The CompanY Hits 15 will be featured at the lobby of the Music Museum. This exhibit shall feature interesting photos (from 1985 up to present), album and concert posters, costumes, music awards (35 all in all; mostly from Awit Awards and Katha), listening station, trivia, etc. CompanY lead singer-Ruben Laurente, produces this exhibit.

The CompanY Hits 15 - The Repeat! is undoubtedly this year’s grandest and most flamboyant music, art and fashion spectacle. Expect the unexpected from these music and fashion provocateurs.

The CompanY is Sweet Plantado, Annie Quintos, Cecile Bautista, Reuben Laurente, Andre Castillo and Moy Ortiz.