May 7, 2021

Title: WEST SIDE STORY

Constructor: Amanda Rafkin

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

YARN BOMBING (15A: Street art that covers public fixtures with knitted works)

NARRATIVE POETRY (35A: Storytelling-through-verse genre)

ACCOUNT REPS (57A: Clients' company contacts)

Theme synopsis: The WEST (left-most) SIDE of each theme answer is a synonym for STORY. We have a YARN, a NARRATIVE, and an ACCOUNT.

Things I learned:

• RAP (48A: Perform like Mykki Blanco) Mykki Blanco began creating YouTube videos in 2010. Their debut EP was the 2012 Mykki Blanco & the Mutant Angels. 
• EGAN (2D: Susan who voiced Meg in "Hercules")  Susan EGAN also voiced the roles of Rose Quartz on the TV series, Steven Universe, and Lin in the movie, Spirited Away. In addition to her voice roles, Susan EGAN originated the role of Belle in the Broadway musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• MEOW (1A: "Tuna, please!") Starting with a cat-related clue, and a fun one at that, is a great way to start a puzzle. I hear this demand frequently!
• YARN BOMBING (15A: Street art that covers public fixtures with knitted works)
  
  YARN BOMBING is similar to graffiti, but instead of spray paint, it utilizes knitted or crocheted pieces. The practice is thought to have originated in Texas in 2005, and has since spread to many places around the world. Sometimes YARN BOMBING is used to draw attention to a particular issue; other times it is done in an attempt to beautify a space. There are some potential down sides to YARN BOMBING (as with most things), so if you're tempted to so some YARN BOMBING, do so responsibly. This picture was taken in Chicago a couple of months ago. I find that YARN BOMBING often reminds me of Dr. Seuss illustrations.
• TAO (18A: ___ Te Ching) The oldest excavated portion of the TAO Te Ching dates back to the 4th century BCE. The authorship of the Chinese classic text is debated. The TAO Te Ching is a fundamental text for Taoism.
• ON STAGE (19A: Where theater performers perform) A nice bonus in a puzzle titled WEST SIDE STORY.
• JEN (29A: Actress Richards) JEN Richards co-created and stars in Her Story, six 9-minute videos that tell the story of two transgender women living in L.A. Richards is one of the actors featured in the 2020 documentary, Disclosure: Trans Lives on the Screen. 
• NET (31A: Sepak takraw divider) In sepak takraw, also known as kick volleyball, players are only allowed to use their feet, knees, and head to get the ball over the NET. The game is incredibly athletic, and amazing to watch. Matthew Stock wrote about sepak takraw when he guest blogged for me in February. 
• NARRATIVE POETRY (35A: Storytelling-through-verse genre) Classic examples of NARRATIVE POETRY include The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A more recent example of NARRATIVE POETRY, and one I highly recommend is Emmy in the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido. 
• GOT (62A: "Alma and How She ___ Her Name") Alma and How She GOT Her Name is a picture book by Juana Martinez-Neal. In the book, a young girl thinks she has too many names, until her father tells her the story about each of her names. This was a delightful way to clue the common word GOT.
• ANDS (64A: Some "Conjunction Junction" words) Schoolhouse Rock! (It's great to learn! Knowledge is power!) This clue made me quite happy. The Schoolhouse Rock! videos originally aired from 1973 to 1984, with a revival from 1993 to 1996. Topics covered included grammar, economics, history, math, and science. I have fond memories of listening to Schoolhouse Rock! with my kids. "Conjunction Junction" reminds us of the function of AND, but, and or.
• STICK (43D: KerPlunk piece) KerPlunk is a game consisting of a plastic tube, marbles, and a web of STICKS. Players take turns removing one STICK at a time, while trying to minimize the number of marbles that drop. The game was first manufactured in 1967.
• APARNA (45D: Comedian Nancheria) APARNA Nancheria's debut comedy album is titled Just Putting It Out There. I first encountered APARNA Nancheria from her appearances on the panel of Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!

Geography review:

• SOMALIA (52A: Easternmost African country) As the clue indicates, SOMALIA is located on the eastern edge of Africa, on the peninsula known as the Horn of Africa. The capital of SOMALIA is Magadishu.

Pull up a chair, grab a pencil (or a computer), and get ready for this puzzle to tell you a STORY, or a YARN, or a NARRATIVE, or an ACCOUNT. I enjoyed all of this puzzle's stories. I enjoyed the cluing today - shoutouts to the aforementioned MEOW, as well as PAPA (32A: Word before "Bear" or "Smurf") and LOSER (33A: The hare, in "The Tortoise and the Hare.") This puzzle was an enjoyable way to begin my Friday.