Remember Moonstruck? The 1987 romantic comedy-drama won three Academy Awards, Best Actress for Cher, Best Supporting Actress for Olympia Dukakis, and Best Original Screenplay for John Patrick Shanley. Though, honestly, the performances by Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello, and Vincent Gardenia also felt award-worthy to me. Moonstruck checked my boxes—it captured New York City life, celebrated music (opera actually), and left me feeling better after watching it.

This month, my acting teacher assigned me and another student the “You’re a wolf” scene from Moonstruck. It’s when the characters of Loretta and Ronny first met. Playing a role immortalized by Cher leaves me a little nervous, although I couldn’t help but revel in the opportunity to embrace the musical nature of a New York Italian accent. Each syllable stresses the quarter note, a subtlety I’d never noticed before. I’m excited to explore the rhythm of other accents. Do you have a favorite accent?