ARLINGTON — The Arlington High School Drama Department has promised to present some extraordinary performances during the first two weekends in March, when the Linda M. Byrnes Performing Arts Center hosts the musical “Beauty and the Beast.”

The show will feature sets and costumes from a professional stage company, along with a variety of special effects designed to dazzle, while the music, which is already familiar to several generations who have grown up with the classic Disney animated version of the tale, will be sung by a talented group of students under the direction of the newest addition to the AHS Arts program, Brent McGee.

“Working with Brent McGee is an incredible experience,” AHS Drama teacher Scott Moberly said. “He is extremely positive and brings a great energy to every rehearsal.”

“Mr. Moberly and Mr. McGee really click together,” added AHS senior Josiah Miller, who has been cast in one of the lead roles as the Beast. “They both have very high expectations for this show, and their vision for the production is so consistent that rehearsals are not only fun, but we are learning every day.”

Moberly has always focused on challenging students to learn the craft of theater and to come together to create quality productions.

“We’ve set the bar pretty high for our musicals,” Moberly said. “The community has come to expect something far above the average high school production, and I’m confident they won’t be disappointed this year. The cast has a large number of seniors with many years of both musical and Jazzmine credits on their resumes.”

Playing opposite Miller will be junior Bailey Hudson as Belle, and rounding out the leads will be seniors Justin O’Hara as Gaston, Austin McFadden as Lumiere, Nathan Haskew as Cogsworth, Andrew Clark as Maurice, Kelsey Ghirardo as Madame Grand Bouche and Lexi Lewis as Mrs. Potts. They’ll be joined by an ensemble group of students whom Moberly described as equally strong.

“I couldn’t ask for a better way to end my years in the Drama Department,” said AHS senior Megan Birdsong, concluding her fourth year as stage manager. “This musical is filled with all kinds of technical challenges, and we’re going to nail every one.”

“Beauty and the Beast” will start at 7 p.m. on the Friday and Saturday nights of March 2, 3, 9 and 10, with a 1 p.m. matinee on March 10, at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $8 for children, students and seniors, and $12 for adults, and may be purchased in advance at www.byrnesperformingarts.org.