September 10, 2023

Title: FRONT SEATS

Constructor: Stella Zawistowski

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

OTTOMAN EMPIRE (20A: Kingdom that ruled modern-day Turkey)

STOOL PIGEON (25A: Person acting as a decoy)

BENCH PRESS (37A: Exercise that works the pecs)

CHAIRWOMAN (60A: Leader of a committee meeting)

Theme synopsis: The FRONT word of each theme answer is a SEAT. Today's FRONT SEATS are an OTTOMAN, a STOOL, a BENCH, and a CHAIR.

Things I learned:

• BEER (11D: Michelada ingredient) A michelada is a drink made with BEER, lime juice, hot sauce, spices, and chili peppers. The drink originated in Mexico.
• BLESS (30D: "___ Me, Ultima" (Rudolf Anaya novel)) Rudolf Anaya (1937-2020) is known for his pioneering stories of the American southwest, and his role in the Chicano movement of the 1970s. His debut novel, BLESS Me, Ultima (1972) tells the story of a young boy coming-of-age in post World War II New Mexico. The book became a became a bestseller, and was adapted into a 2013 movie of the same name.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• OTTOMAN EMPIRE (20A: Kingdom that ruled modern-day Turkey) The OTTOMAN EMPIRE controlled much of Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa between the 14th and early 20th centuries. The piece of furniture known as an OTTOMAN was named for the EMPIRE. Furnishing practices in the OTTOMAN EMPIRE consisted of low wooden platforms intended to be piled with cushions. These platforms were the central places for seating in residences. The furniture made its way to Europe in the late 18th century, and was named for its place of origin.
• TET (34A: Holiday during which banh chung is often eaten) TET, also known as the Vietnamese New Year, celebrates the arrival of spring based on get Vietnamese calendar. Banh chung consists of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork. The mixture is formed into a square cake, wrapped in a type of bamboo, and then boiled. Making and eating banh chung during TET is a Vietnamese tradition.
• REN (36A: Kylo ___ ("Star Wars" character) Yesterday we saw Rey in the puzzle, and today's puzzle features Rey's adversary-turned-ally, Kylo REN. Adam Driver portrayed Kylo REN in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
• ASK (40A: "I sort of hate to ___ it, but do you have a basket?" (rhyming question from Little Red in "Into the Woods")) Into the Woods is a 1987 musical by Stephen Sondheim that intertwines the plots of several fairy tales. This line is from the opening number, also titled "Into the Woods." This is a long and delightful clue for the simple word ASK. 
• YES, SIR (43A: "You got it, boss!") and CHAIRWOMAN (60A: Leader of a committee meeting) I was a little miffed as I entered the answer for 43-Across, "YES, SIR. Why does this answer need to be gendered." Then I encountered CHAIRWOMAN at 60-Across, and thought, "Okay, I guess I can live with that balance."
• RITA (63A: "West Side Story" actress Moreno) In the 1961 movie version of the musical West Side Story, RITA Moreno portrayed Anita, a role which won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In the 2021 version of West Side Story, RITA Moreno portrayed Valentina.
• GENES (28D: Hereditary units studied by Jennifer Doudna) Jennifer Doudna is a biochemist. She and  Emmanuelle Charpentier, were awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work in the development of a method for editing GENES. Hooray for women in science! Jennifer Doudna's work involves CRISPR, a technique for editing GENES.
• ERA (35D: Renaissance ___ (chapter of Beyonce's career)) Beyoncé kicked off her Renaissance ERA with the release of her 2022 album, Renaissance. She is currently in the midst of a Renaissance World Tour.
• IGOR (45D: Composer Stravinsky) IGOR Stravinsky (1882-1971) was a Russian composer and conductor. He is considered an influential composer of the 20th century. His 1913 work, The Rite of Spring is a ballet and orchestral piece, that was considered avant-garde at the time, and redefined 20th-century music.

Geography review:

• RENO (2D: Home of the Nevada Museum of Art) The Nevada Museum of Art in RENO uses a thematic approach to displaying their collection (as opposed to historical or stylistic). The permanent collection is divided into four themes: Altered Landscape, Art of the Greater West, Contemporary Art, and Work Ethic.

Take a SEAT. Would you prefer an OTTOMAN, a STOOL, a BENCH, or a CHAIR? This is a fun theme. I also enjoyed seeing my favorite exclamation, "AHA!" at 1-Down. Thank you, Stella, for this puzzle that was a superb way to start my Sunday.