March 15, 2021

Title: UNDERSIZED

Constructor: Amanda Rafkin

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

STARTS SMALL (3D: Doesn't try to do too much at once)

SPIRITUAL MEDIUM (6D: Person leading a seance, perhaps)

LIVING LARGE (27D: Enjoying an extravagant lifestyle)

Theme synopsis: UNDER the first word of each vertical theme answer, there is a second word that is a SIZE.

Things I learned:

• SCI-FI FILMS (25A: "Son of Ingagi," etc.) Son of Ingagi is a 1940 monster movie written by Spencer Williams based on a short story of his titled, "House of Horror." Son of Ingagi was the first horror film to feature an all-Black cast. 
• DIDO (58A: "Thank You" singer) "Thank You" is a hit single from DIDO's 1999 debut album, No Angel, though it made its first appearance in 1998 on the soundtrack for the movie Sliding Doors. The song became a hit in multiple countries, including the U.S., and DIDO's home, the United Kingdom.
• ATE ( 60A: Enjoyed some coxinhas, say) Coxinhas consist of shredded chicken meat covered in dough, molded into a teardrop shape, and then battered and fried. Coxhinas are popular in Brazil. 
• RENE (31D: Broadway actress Sherie ___ Scott) Sherie RENE Scott has been in multiple Broadway plays and musicals, including Aida, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. She originated the role of Ursula in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid. Sherie RENE Scott and Kurt Densch co-founded Sh-K-Boom Records and Ghostlight Records with the goal of bridging the gap between pop music and theatre.
• LOIS (42D: Author ___ McMaster Bujold) LOIS McMaster Bujold is the author of three book series: the Vorkosigan Saga, the Chalion series, and the Sharing Knife series. She has won seven Hugo Awards, which are awarded annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works. In 2020, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America awarded LOIS McMaster Bujold the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• SEA (22A: Vampire squid's habitat) The vampire squid has a unique oxygen metabolism system, and bioluminescent organs, which allow it to live in the deep SEA. The vampire squid's name was inspired by its dark color and the cloak-like webbing which connects its eight arms. 
• ELM (49A: Tree name derived from "Ulmus") In the scientific classification system, ELM trees are in the Genus Ulmus, and the Family Ulmaceae.
• OUI (67A: Yes, in "Amelie") I wrote about the French film, Amelie on November 16, 2020, and February 4, 2021.
• GO LOW (1D: Engage in mudslinging, say) I liked this answer! When I first read the clue, my mind was blank. I experienced a moment of delight when the answer became clear.
• CHIEF (8D: Principal ___ (Cherokee Nation title)) Principal CHIEF is the title used since 1794 for the CHIEF executives of the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.
• TITO (24D: Bandleader Puente) TITO Puente was also a songwriter and record producer. His nicknames included "The Musical Pope," "El Rey do los Timbales" (the King of the Timbales), and "The King of Latin Music." I learned about TITO Puente from the July 13, 2020 crossword.
• FUNKY (26D: Like some bass lines) The K of this answer was the last letter of the puzzle I filled in, which had me thinking for a minute, "Why are some bass lines FUNNY?" 
• OCD (59D: Condition that might be treated with Exposure and Response Prevention) Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The treatment involves habituation to a situation in order to change behavior.

Geography review:

• OAK (40A: ___ Flat (sacred Apache land)) OAK Flat is in Arizona, and is part of the Tonto National Forest east of Phoenix. The land is sacred to the Apache and other indigenous people. The area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For many years, the Apache Tribe has been working to protect OAK Flat against proposed mining. 
• STATE (29D: Guanajuato or California) Guanajuato is one of 32 Mexican states. California is one of 50 American states.

I liked the progression of this theme from STARTS SMALL to LIVING LARGE (with a SPIRITUAL MEDIUM in between!) Since the theme answers were vertical, there were some nice Across bonuses today - LEANING IN, SCI-FI FILMS and EMILY BRONTE, for example. I also liked the appearance of the EASTER BUNNY who is SELDOM SEEN. This puzzle was an enjoyable way to begin my Monday.