June 2, 2023

Title: SPLIT THE BILL

Constructor: Brooke Husic

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

BIRTH BALL (15A: Pregnant person's spherical exercise aid)

BID FAREWELL (23A: Say adieu)

BICYCLE BELL (49A: Cyclist's safety item)

BINGO HALL (59A: Workplace for a caller)

Theme synopsis: The word BILL is SPLIT by each theme answer.

Things I learned:

• GORDITA (37A: Thick Mexican cornmeal dish) In learning about GORDITA, I saw it described as a "thick tortilla" and a "hearty pita." GORDITAs are made with masa (cornmeal dough), and stuffed with meat and cheese. 
• ELEMENT (39A: In Primo Levi's "The Periodic Table," each chapter is named after one) Primo Levi (1919-1987) was an Italian chemist and writer. He was also a Holocaust survivor. The Periodic Table is a 1975 collection of autobiographical short stories based on Primo Levi's experiences. Each of the 21 stories is named after a chemical ELEMENT, which is connected to the story in some way.  The Periodic Table was named the "best science book ever" by the Royal Institution of Great Britain in 2006. Although I was not familiar with this book (but am now interested in checking it out!), the answer here was inferable, as I guessed (correctly) that the book might be named for the periodic table of ELEMENTs.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• BIRTH BALL (15A: Pregnant person's spherical exercise aid) You may know the BIRTH BALL from some of its other names: exercise BALL, yoga BALL, or stability BALL. A BIRTH BALL can be used to exercise during pregnancy, and can also be used as an aid during labor.
• MRS (28A: "From the Mixed-Up Files of ___ Basil E. Frankweiler") From the Mixed-Up Files of MRS. Basil E. Frankweiler is a 1967 novel by E.L. Konigsburg that details the adventures of siblings who run away from home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The book won a Newberry Medal for children's literature in 1968, and is often included in lists of best children's books. Film adaptations of the book were made in 1973 (starring Ingrid Bergman) and 1995 (starring Lauren Bacall).
• IS A (29A: "Heaven ___ Place on Earth" (Belinda Carlisle hit)) "Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? / Ooh, Heaven IS A place on Earth..." Since I read this clue, I have had "Heaven IS A Place on Earth" as an earworm! The song is a 1987 single from Belinda Carlisle's album, Heaven on Earth. An acoustic version of "Heaven IS A Place on Earth" is included on Belinda Carlisle's 2017 album, Wilder Shores. 
• SRY (41A: What "np!" might be a response to) SRY = sorry; np = no problem
• BINGO HALL (59A: Workplace for a caller) I completely fell for the misdirect here, and was thinking of a person in a call center making telemarketing phone calls. BINGO is more phone than telemarketing!
• GATWA (14D: "Sex Education" star Ncuti) The TV series, Sex Education, follows the story of Otis, a teenager who, with a fellow classmate, sets up a sex advice business. Ncuti GATWA plays the role of Eric, Otis's openly gay best friend who comes from a religious Ghanian-Nigerian family. Ncuti GATWA has won multiple awards for his portrayal of Eric.
• ARIEL (20D: Main character in "The Little Mermaid") The live action version of The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey as ARIEL, was released last month.
• MEI (40D: Main character in "Turning Red") Turning Red is a 2022 animated movie about MEI, a 13-year-old Chinese Canadian girl who transforms into a giant red panda when she feels strong emotions. Rosalie Chiang voices the character of MEI.

Geography review:

• STL (67A: Central West End's city (Abbr.)) The Central West End is a neighborhood in St. Louis (STL), Missouri. The Cathedral Basilica of St Louis, which is known for its large mosaic installation, is located in the Central West End. The World Chess Hall of Fame is also

  

  World Chess Hall of Fame

  
  located in the neighborhood. My husband is a chess player, and so we drove by one time when we were in the neighborhood, though we didn't have time to visit that day.
• TERRITORY (3D: Nunavut or Yukon) The largest, northernmost, and least-populated TERRITORY of Canada, Nunavut has a population of just under 40,000 people. Most residents of Nunavut are INUIT. The capital of Nunavut is Iqaluit. YUKON is also a TERRITORY of Canada. It is the westernmost of Canada's three territories, and borders the U.S. state of Alaska. The capital of YUKON is Whitehorse.
• SELMA (7D: 1965 protest city) SELMA, Alabama is located on the banks of the Alabama River, and has a population of just over 20,000. In 1965, the Edmund Pettus Bridge that crosses the Alabama River in SELMA was the starting point for a series of civil rights marches from SELMA to Montgomery to advocate for voting rights. 
• INUIT (50D: Most Greenlanders) Greenland is an island country located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Greenland is the world's largest island. Along with Denmark and the Faroe Islands, Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The capital of Greenland is Nuuk. Nearly 90% of Greenland residents are INUIT. 
• LAOS (53D: Country next to Vietnam) LAOS is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia that borders Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and China. The capital of LAOS is Vientiane.

This is a classic USA Today theme type. I thought it was a nice touch that the BILL is being split evenly in all cases today. In addition to the answers I've already highlighted, I enjoyed NEED A HAND, ON A ROLL, and FIASCOS. Thank you, Brooke, for this puzzle that was a fine way to start my Friday.