'You've got big dreams. You want fame. Well fame costs, and right here's where you start paying...' dance teacher Lydia Grant warns the students of New York's celebrated dream factory, the High School for the Performing Arts.

Starring Debbie Allen as Lydia, Lee Curreri as Bruno, Erica Gimpel as Coco, Albert Hague as Shorofsky, Carlo Imperato as Danny, Carol Mayo Jenkins as Sherwood, Valerie Landsburg as Doris, Gene Anthony Ray as Leroy, Lori Singer as Julie, Morgan Stevens as Reardon, Ann Nelson as Mrs Berg, Tom McGreevey as Tom Reardon

When Mr Crandall dies suddenly, Danny is at a loss to express his sorrow. Upset, and in danger of being expelled, help comes from an unexpected source.