Four decades worth of Farmingdale High School alumni recently returned to their alma mater to see the student production of Dracula and to celebrate the accomplishments of 35-year veteran drama teacher Kenneth Ulric. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the opening curtain, the 860-seat auditorium - recently outfitted with all new seats, walls, acoustics, rugs and lighting - was rededicated to Ulric's honor, as proud alumni, family and friends look on.

Some playgoers also donated at the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers' first blood drive at the high school, before sitting down to their evening of entertainment. The playgoers/donors included high school English teacher Susan Krell and her husband Arthur Krell, who were among some of the 35 faculty and family members who donated blood to benefit Long Island Blood Services. "It didn't hurt at all, because I have good veins," said Arthur Krell.

The rest of the evening was in a somewhat different vein, as alumni who have appeared in Ulric-directed plays over the years mixed with the cast of Dracula. Just before curtain, Count Dracula (Steven Golebiewski), his victim Lucy (Sara Blackmore), director Ulric and the rest of the cast and crew met backstage with Rob Bartlett, a member of the Farmingdale High School of 1975.

"Going to Farmingdale High School was the best time of my life." said Bartlett, now famous for his Imus in the Morning radio program stints and fresh from a role in Broadway's Chicago. "If tonight is anything like Ken Ulric's other productions, it will be a totally professional experience," Bartlett continued.

Among the other alumni gathered for a reception in the auditorium lobby before the show were Jeff (class of 1974) and Lisa (class of 1975) James, who met in junior high school, appeared in student plays, and married in 1982. "It 's nice to see so many people we haven't seen in years," Lisa James said, surrounded by former classmates.

Those feelings were shared by more recent graduates Matthew Colson (class of 1998) and Gina Lewis (class of 2000), both proud to have appeared in one of the many shows Ulric directed over the years. "Mr. Ulric is the father of Farmingdale High School Theater," said Lewis, a sentiment with which Colson agreed, calling Ulric "the epitome of the ideal teacher. I can't imagine what high school would have been like without him."