Ogdensburg Free Academy’s drama club to dedicate performance of “A Tribute to Glee: A Sense of New Directions,” to the late Sabrina Reese

OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg Free Academy’s dramatics adviser and students in school district’s drama club affectionately refer to themselves as “Gleeks.”

“We follow the show religiously and watch ‘Glee’ together every week,” said Michael F. Rabideau, an English teacher at the high school and a 26-year mainstay as the school’s dramatics adviser. “The idea for our upcoming production stems from our mutual appreciation of the show. It’s a tribute to the show.”

The drama club will present an original production, “A Tribute to ‘Glee’: A Sense of New Directions,” at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday in the George Hall Auditorium at OFA. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens.

Featuring a script and songs created by the cast, the production is based on the premise of the Fox TV series created and produced by Ryan Murphy.

“The situations and characters in the show are based on the program, as well as the cast’s own personal experiences and relationships. A number of my kids really identify with the kids on the show — the jocks, the geeks, the outcasts. Our characters are modeled after stereotypes that are there on the show,” Mr. Rabideau said.

The cast includes Katelyn Jarrett as Aphrodite, Timothy Dibble as Damian, Jonathan Atchie as Drake, Taylor Briggs as Rosario, Brent Gauthier as Sebastian, Terri Breen as Terri and Mr. Rabideau as Mr. Brewster. Ms. Breen’s younger sister, Brianna, also makes an appearance, Mr. Rabideau said.

Using themes explored in “Glee,” such as acceptance, bullying, love, relationships, friendship, memories and gratitude, Mr. Rabideau said, he and his cast have attempted to produce a show with an important message: We all have a purpose in life, no matter whom we are and where we come from.

“Mr. Brewster’s final project for his students is simple,” Mr. Rabideau said. “Explain in their own way how ‘Glee’ has affected their own lives for the better. Over the course of the show, the students present their responses in song, dance and visual presentations, while learning about themselves and about each other.”

Both shows will be dedicated to Sabrina L. Reese, an OFA student who died in early December from a brain aneurysm, Mr. Rabideau said.

“The entire school was devastated by the loss. The kids wanted to do a tribute to Sabrina. She was inspiring to a lot of students. Unique and different. She could have been a character on ‘Glee,’” he said.

A brief tribute to Ms. Reese will begin 20 minutes prior to each performance and will include a slide show.

“Some of the kids will speak, and songs will be played that represent her,” Mr. Rabideau said.

“The music consists of popular hits from today’s music scene. There will be people singing along,” Mr. Rabideau said.