Salstone’s voice soars high above GBN

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From left, juniors Jordy Shulman, Sean Alvarez, Nathan Salstone and senior Aaron Kohrs sing in the a cappella group Ow! during the Sounds of the Season performance at Glenbrook North High School. | Ruthie Hauge~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:48AM

Nathan Salstone, a Glenbrook North High School junior, was no understudy as a freshman.

“‘Rent’ was an unreal moment in my high school career because I was a freshman lucky enough to get a lead,” reports Salstone, of the part he landed in spring 2010.

“I had always known the show ‘Rent’ and Roger was always a dream role of mine.”

Typically freshman, who try out for the Glenbrook musical, often go into auditions hoping to land a part in the chorus.

The Glenbrook Musical, which blends students from both GBN and Glenbrook South High School, is staged annually, but alternates stages between Northbrook and Glenview.

This year’s musical “Phantom of the Opera” takes place at GBN this spring.

Said Salstone of “Rent”: “I decided to try out for a lead because I thought, ‘What the heck, I know the show so why not sing it?’ — of course, expecting nothing of that.

“But I got called back and the day that the cast list for Rent was posted, I’ll admit I almost cried. I was shaking to the bone with excitement.”

Clearly, this was a lifetime moment.

“‘Rent’ is also a show about friends and love and compassion, so being in a cast with 80 people, by the end of the last show we were all crying during Finale B because of how magical the show was!”

Salstone, 16, said, “I was very lucky and will never forget such an experience like that!”

Salstone is also grateful for family. His mother Judith, who works at Northbrook Meadowbrook School, and his father, Bob, an investor, are their children’s biggest fans.

He has two older sisters, Rachel, 19, and Samantha, 20.

Let’s not forget his dog Harley: “He is a Rottweiler but a very friendly one.”

Of his trained voice, which is heard via choral musical groups, Ow!, 4x4 and Express: “I don’t think of it as sharing it with the world,” said Salstone.

“Singing and acting (are) my passion. It’s what I love to do and when I think back, I’ve never loved anything this much. I do it because I love it and I love performing!”

Performing in the the Broadway-sized Sheely Center for the Performing Arts stage can be daunting, but Salstone said it doesn’t overwhelm him.

“Do I get stage fright? No,” said Salstone. “Do I get nervous? Absolutely!

“My nerves make me better at everything I do. When that adrenalin kicks in right before I’m on stage, or right before I’m about to belt out a high note, it is the most sensational feeling to be up on that stage performing in front of people, and I hope to do it forever!”

While junior year involves researching colleges with ACT test preparation skills, Salstone appreciates Glenbrook High School District 225.

“Glenbrook North is an amazing school to be at,” he said. “To be as lucky as we are, we really need to look back and thank everyone we have there.

“For me I want to thank three people, Miss. Robinson (our drama teacher and play director, Mr. Wallace, and Mr. Davidson (our choir directors). These people really know what they’re doing and without them, we wouldn’t have the incredible program that we are known for.”

And Salstone like to keep busy.

“The most current thing that I am doing is a “Spring Awakening” workshop, at the actors training center in Wilmette, which is for young adults/teen actors to learn how to truly grasp a role,” said Salstone.

“The show is a very intense show with a lot of adult material in it which at first scared me. I’m playing the role Moritz, and at the end of the show, he gets kicked out of his school, beaten by his father, and unfortunately takes his own life,” he said.

“I believe that playing this character will really help me understand the depth you need to go into to really get a character, and it will also help me in this future with other roles.”

The GBN Variety Show “Crossroads” takes centerstage at Sheely Feb. 9, 10 and 11. Show times for Feb. 9 and 10 are 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 11 is 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $13.

“It (Crossroads) is going to be a ton of fun,” said Salstone, who sings a duet with senior Megan Orticelli, another song with a band, not including choral performances with Ow!, 4x4 and Express.

“Visit www.glenbrook225.org/north/