Film

Those are some the teachers from New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts, introducing their freshmen wannabe stars to the rigors of the disciplines that they hope will propel them to fame.

Ah, you know you’re in for an adventure when dad takes the shortcut, like Chihiro’s dad, in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away.

That’s the opening from the animated film version of Dr. Desoto, a children’s book by William Steig about a very principled, compassionate, and clever mouse dentist.

That’s Mort Schindel, the founder and guiding spirit of Weston Woods Studios, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

You’re hearing a little from Randolph Wolf’s ballet music for Maurice Sendak’s 1963 Caldecott-award-winning, Where the Wild Things Are.

You’re hearing a little from the recent film version of Ntozake Shange’s (En-toe-sake Shange’s) book, Whitewash.

You’re hearing the famous theme song from the 1930s movie series that we know as “The Little Rascals,” played by a present-day Dutch dance band called the Beau Hunks.