July 23, 2023

Title: "NOW WE'RE COOKING!" (FREESTYLE)

Constructor: Hoang-Kim Vu

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Freestyle: This is a themeless puzzle. The title "NOW WE'RE COOKING!" might be a nod to TURNED THE TABLES (39A: Made a disadvantage into an advantage), and also TASTING MENU (17A: Collection of several small dishes served as a meal).

Things I learned:

• SHIPP (56D: "Tick, Tick...Boom!" actress Alexandria) Tick, Tick...Boom! is a 2021 movie directed by Lin Manuel Miranda. The film is a semi-biographical story about Jonathan Larson, who wrote the stage musical on which it is based. (Jonathan Larson also wrote the musical Rent.) Andrew Garfield plays the role of Jonathan Larson, and Alexandra SHIPP portrays Susan Wilson, Jonathan's girlfriend. I saw the movie Tick, Tick...Boom!, but needed help from crossing answers to come up with this name.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• COUPLE (14A: Pair on a babymoon, probably) A babymoon is a vacation taken by a COUPLE shortly before the birth of a child. Alas, it is not a little moon orbiting around a newly-formed planet. 
• THOR (15A: God who wields Mjolnir) THOR is the Norse god associated with storms, thunder, and lightning. Mjölnir is THOR's hammer, depicted in Norse mythology as one of the most powerful weapons in existence.
• TASTING MENU (17A: Collection of several small dishes served as a meal) A TASTING MENU is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of a few courses (say appetizer, entree, and dessert), you may be served up to 12 courses, with each one consisting of just a few bites. A TASTING MENU allows you to try a variety of dishes. In this sense, it is similar to tapas or small plates - ordering a number of items for everyone at the table to share. However, with small plates you decide which ones to order, while with a set TASTING MENU, the chef makes the decisions. 
• MAKI (31A: Form of sushi) MAKI is what many people think of when they think of sushi. It is a rice cylinder wrapped with nori, with additional ingredients in the middle.
• TURNED THE TABLES (39A: Made a disadvantage into an advantage) The origin of the phrase TURNED THE TABLES dates back to the 17th century, when board games such as backgammon were referred to as "TABLES." If you were losing a game of backgammon, you would need to reverse your fortunes, or TURN THE TABLES.
• ONE (44A: "A Chorus Line" number) The musical, A Chorus Line, opened on Broadway for the first time in 1975. The show is centered on 17 dancers auditioning for a chorus line. This clue had me singing lines from "ONE," such as "ONE singular sensation / every little step she takes," and "ONE moment in her presence / and you can forget the rest." Here's a fun version of "ONE" from Sesame Street. 
• SIWA (45A: Dancer and YouTuber JoJo) It's been just nine days since I wrote about dancer, YouTuber, and celebrity softball player JoJo SIWA.
• ATONED (71A: Observed Yom Kippur) The Jewish holy day, Yom Kippur, is known as the Day of Atonement.
• POEM (73A: "A Litany for Survival," e.g.) "A Litany for Survival" is a POEM by Audre Lorde. A 1996 PBS documentary about the life and work of Audre Lorde was titled A Litany for Survival.
• DEBOSE (74A: Oscar winner Ariana) Ariana DEBOSE won an Academy Award, aka an Oscar, for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita in the 2021 movie West Side Story.
• CHEROKEE (8D: Like members of the largest federally recognized tribe in the U.S.) The CHEROKEE are one of the indigenous peoples of the southeastern portion of the United States. They lived in the area that is now North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. The CHEROKEE Nation, now headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is (as the clue informs us) the largest federally recognized tribe in the U.S.
• DOWN (25D: "Turtles All the Way ___" (YA novel)) Turtles All the Way DOWN is a young adult novel by John Green. It tells the story of Aza, a high school student with OCD and anxiety. A film adaptation of the novel is in the works. I constructed a puzzle titled "Turtles All the Way DOWN," which was published by The Inkubator earlier this year.
• CASH APP (27D: Venmo alternative) CASH APP and Venmo are mobile payment services that allow the transfer of money from one person to another.
• SARI (50D: Wrapped Asian garment) and KIMONO (52D: Wrapped Asian garment) I enjoyed this consecutive clue echo. A SARI is a wrapped garment from the Indian subcontinent, and a KIMONO is a wrapped garment from Japan.

Geography review:

• OSLO (61D: Nobel Peace Center city) OSLO is the capital and most populous city of Norway. OSLO has been the home of the Nobel Peace Center since 2005. The Center showcases winners of the Nobel Peace Prize and their work. The center is located in the former OSLO Vestbanestasjon, a former railway station, which was built in 1872, and is an example of Italianate architecture. The Nobel Peace Center is currently closed for renovation until approximately November 30 of this year, so if you'd like to visit (I would!), keep that in mind. However, they do have digital exhibitions to explore. 

IS THIS A JOKE? No, it's a delightful themeless puzzle with interesting entries such as EARSHOT and IS IT REAL? (yes, it is!), and fun clues such as (22A: TV accessories sometimes lost in the couch) for REMOTES. I always enjoy a shoutout to E-BIKES. Thank you, Kim, for this puzzle that was an excellent way to start my Sunday.

Happy Boswords Day to all participating in-person or online!