2025 Glenbrook North Variety Show

I am a proud graduate of Glenbrook High School in Northbrook Illinois. It is now called Glenbrook North as they have added a second campus to the area in Glenview, called Glenbrook South. They are competitive, for the most part, but comes spring, the musical production is a “joint venture”.  Back in my day ( I graduated in 1960, you figure it out) with only one school both communities were served well, and today, the population in the North school alone is probably double what we had back in my years.

Each year, after Winter break, they start working on the V SHOW, a variety show that highlights the many talents of the hundreds of talented students attending. Musical numbers, dance numbers, comedy routines, ensemble pieces, comic bits and one of the highlights, The Men of GBN. This group is made up of some former students, dads, and grandfathers of students. As you know, my granddaughter, Sarah is part of this school and quite active in their theater, music and dance programs. Last year (2024) I was planning to be one of the men but became ill right before production week, so in fairness to the other gentlemen, bowed out.

This year I vowed to find  a way to participate and was able to do this despite my heavy theater schedule. While i could not do all three performances, I was able to do two and had a ball working with the faculty members who taught us our music and dance routine. A tip of my hat to Chad Davidson ( who also joined us onstage) and Kelsey Nichols ( getting a group of men, of many ages, to move on a music cue, is not easy.

Our song “Life Is A Highway” from the Disney animated film “Cars” worked out well with the movement. Last year they did “Top Gun” so the men were planes. Who knows what next year may bring. I will tell you that the guys were keen on attaining perfection and I am sorry to say, I was unable to do the last night as we were off to spend our evening with Jessie Mueller and Seth Rudetsky at the Studebaker Theater on Michigan Avenue- “Seth’s Broadway Concert Series”, so I asked the guys to fill in my space for the final night.

Thanks to: Jack Altschuler, Paul Bowles, Ed Burton, Paul Canchester, Gil Cohen, Rick Curry, Chad Davidson, Andy Doppelt, Yassen Fawzi, Don Feinstein, John Giambrone, Neal Golden, Ami Goldenstein, Phil Immergluck, Michael Kavka, Malcom Litowitz, Matt Parks, Matt Saffar, Glenn Shipp, Luke Stoner, Jason Torf, Jeffrey Torf, Michael Van Treeck, Jack Weisberg, Mel Weller, Thomas Weller, Michael Weller and James Williams- you guys made me look good!

Speaking for myself, doing the number was fun, and the group of guys were great. I guess the best part of doing the number is walking off the stage, being greeted by Sarah ( my granddaughter) and that smile and kiss with her thank you- that is the best!

photo by Ryan Feinstein ( a GBN senior)