April 26, 2021

Title: WHAT A SET OF PIPES!

Constructor: Hoang-Kim Vu

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

CHURCH ORGAN (20A: "Bridal Chorus" instrument)

MARIAH CAREY (35A: Record holder for the most No. 1s by a solo artist)

SEWER SYSTEM (52A: Home to some alligators, in New York legend)

Theme synopsis: The theme answers are all things about which one might remark, "WHAT A SET OF PIPES!" We have a PIPE ORGAN, vocal PIPES, and the PIPES of a SEWER SYSTEM.

Things I learned:

• BEAU (1A: Love interest of Yasha in "Critical Role") In the web series, Critical Role, professional voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons. The show is aired most Thursdays on the Critical Role Twitch channel and last three to five hours (or more). The cast is in their second campaign, "The Mighty Nein," which started in January 2018. Yasha is Ashley Johnson's character. Yasha's love interest, BEAU, is Marisha Ray's character. Although unfamiliar with Critical Role, BEAU was inferable as an answer given its use as a general term for a love interest. (Here's my disclaimer: I've never played Dungeons & Dragons, so if I've gotten any of the terminology wrong, forgive me and let me know!)
• STAN (18A: Grunkle ___ ("Gravity Falls" character) Gravity Falls was an animated Disney TV series that aired from 2012 to 2016. In the series, twins Dipper and Mabel Pines are sent to spend the summer with their Grunkle (great-uncle) STAN in Gravity Falls, Oregon. While the brother and sister are in Gravity Falls, they help Grunkle STAN run the "Mystery Shack," and investigate local mysteries.
• SCOT (55D: Lauren Mayberry, e.g.) Lauren Mayberry is a singer, songwriter, journalist, and activist. She is the vocalist and percussionist for Chvrches, a band that plays synth-pop, indie pop, and electronic dance music. She has been active in speaking out against misogyny and rape culture, writing an article for The Guardian about the abusive messages she has received online. Lauren Mayberry was born in Glasgow, SCOTland. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• ACNE (17A: Condition treated with BHA) BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid. The BHA used to treat ACNE is salicylic acid, used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Salicylic acid is also an active metabolite of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). This ends your brief pharmacology lesson. 
• CHURCH ORGAN (20A: "Bridal Chorus" instrument) "Bridal Chorus" was composed by Richard Wagner, and is from his 1850 opera, Lohengrin. The song is commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride," or "Wedding March," and is used as a processional at some weddings. Its use for this purpose became popular after it was used in 1858 for the wedding of the Princess Royal Victoria to Prince Frederick William of Prussia.
• DEL (27A: Part of a three-key computer combo) and ALT (37D: Part of a three-key computer combo) On the one hand, I kept looking for a third appearance of this clue accompanying the answer CTRL. On the other hand, I didn't want to interrupt or reboot this puzzle!
• MARIAH CAREY (35A: Record holder for the most No. 1s by a solo artist) MARIAH CAREY has had 19 of her songs reach the top of Billboard's Hot 100. Additionally, she was the first artist to have her first five singles reach the number one spot. Those songs, released in 1990-1991, were "Vision of Love," "Love Takes Time," "Someday," "I Don't Wanna Cry," and "Emotions." Her next released single, "Can't Let Go," only made it to number two. (Still impressive!)
• SEWER SYSTEM (52A: Home to some alligators, in New York legend) Stories (with some elements of truth) about alligators in the New York SEWER SYSTEM, have been told since the early 1900s. A year ago, The New York Times did an in-depth article on this topic. The city does rescue several alligators a year, many have been pets and are abandoned when they grow too big to safely keep. None of the recently rescued alligators have been in the SEWER SYSTEM, which officials say is too cold and toxic for alligators to survive.
• KELP (59A: Stuff in underwater forests) Despite its appearance, KELP are not plants, but are a type of multicellular algae classified as heterokonts.
• ELENA (60A: Author Ferrante) I have previously written about ELENA Ferrante's Neapolatin Novels and her anonymity. The TV series, My Brilliant Friend, was adapted from the Neapolitan Novels. 
• PENNE (9D: Pasta served in vodka sauce) In PENNE alla vodka, PENNE pasta is served in a sauce made with crushed tomatoes, onions, cream, and, of course, vodka.
• ALI (29D: Tony winner Stroker) I first learned about ALI Stroker from the July 1, 2020 puzzle. She won a Tony Award in 2019 for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in Oklahoma. 
• END (57D: Finish) It was ELEGANT (12D: Beautifully graceful) to finish the clues in this puzzle with END.

Geography review:

• ERIE (53D: Great Lake that borders Cleveland) This is the fifth appearance of our crossword friend, ERIE this month, currently tying this month with October 2020 for the most ERIE appearances. There are a few days left in this month. Stay tuned to see if April 2021 can pull ahead!

This was a fun theme for a puzzle. A nice collection of different SETS OF PIPES. The Utah-shaped collection of black squares on each side of the puzzle allowed for some longer entries in the corners - an ELEGANT touch. I especially liked the answers TOTALITY, RISOTTO, and MATTERED. The puzzle did make me hungry, with its mention of PENNE alla vodka, RISOTTO, and CANNOLI! This puzzle was a delightful way to start my Monday.

The virtual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT) was a great deal of fun this weekend. Congratulations to those who won, Tyler Hinman, Erik Agard, and David Plotkin. I greatly enjoyed the puzzles and the opportunity to virtually connect with some crossword people. I had said my goal (not being a speed solver) was to finish in the top 98%, and I'm delighted to report I met and exceeded my goal, finishing in the top 75%!