There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! Singin’ in the Rain

Constructor: Matthew Stock

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

What I Learned from Today’s Puzzle

• GOODWIN (15A: American author Jane ___ Austin) Jane GOODWIN Austin (1831-1894) is the author of 24 novels and numerous short stories. Some of her most popular works are historical fiction about the Pilgrims, those who settled Plymouth in the 1600s. Although Jane GOODWIN Austin researched her books, she also added fictional and mythical details. Scholars have shown that several popular myths about the Pilgrims stem from Jane GOODWIN Austin’s writings. In several sources I saw Jane GOODWIN Austin referred to as “Jane G. Austin-with-an-i,” to distinguish her from British author Jane Austen (1775-1817).
• HARRY’S (13D: Shaving supply brand) HARRY’S sells shaving supplies and men’s personal care products, and is known for their subscription service. The company was founded in 2012 by Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider.
• EL PASO (32D: Texas city home to the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo) The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is a Native American tribe and sovereign nation located in EL PASO, Texas. The people of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and their language are called Tigua. Ysleta del Sur Pueblo is one of three federally recognized tribes in Texas. The other two are the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (located in Polk County in east central Texas) and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (located on the Rio Grande on the U.S.-Mexico border).

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

• ANI (17A: Jewelry brand Alex and ___) Carolyn Rafaelian is the founder of Alex and ANI. She named the jewelry brand after her daughters.
• RIHANNA (18A: Singer with the 2007 No. 1 hit 54-Across) and UMBRELLA (54A: 18-Across song depicted by this puzzle’s black squares) “UMBRELLA” is the opening track of RIHANNA’s third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad. The song, which features Jay-Z, was a worldwide hit and topped the charts in 19 countries. The music video for “UMBRELLA” won MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year and Monster Single of the Year. “Now that it’s raining more than ever … You can stand under my UMBRELLA, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh…”
• LAOS (36A: Country west of Vietnam) LAOS is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. In addition to Vietnam, LAOS borders Thailand, Myanmar, China, and Cambodia. The capital of LAOS is Vientiane.
• PROTEST (39A: Participate in a sit-in or a walkout) I like the contrast in this clue between “sit-in” and “walkout” – both effective means of PROTEST depending on the situation. I also appreciate seeing the word PROTEST in the grid, which reminds me that it’s important to take action on issues of importance.
• PHD (47A: Degree earned after a dissertation defense (Abbr.)) I have a PHD, and this clue reminded me that this year will mark the 30th anniversary of my dissertation defense. (How is that possible?!) When I was in graduate school and facing my dissertation defense, someone told me that it was not to be feared, because by the time you reach that point in your doctoral studies, you know more about the topic of your dissertation than anyone else. You have become the expert on this specialized topic. I found that to be true, but am still glad my dissertation defense is a distant memory.
• SOS (48A: 18-Across song with the refrain “please, someone help me”) RIHANNA is one of the many artists with a song titled “SOS” or “S.O.S.” RIHANNA’s “SOS” was released in 2006 and is on her second studio album, A Girl Like Me. The song was RIHANNA’s first number one single on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart.
• ALABAMA (1D: Alphabetically first state) ALABAMA is making back-to-back crossword appearances. We saw it yesterday clued as [Laverne Cox’s home state].
• NOIR (5D: French opposite of “blanc”) “Blanc” is the French word for “white,” and “NOIR” is the French word for “black.”
• BATISTE (21D: “Beethoven Blues” musician Jon) Beethoven Blues is Jon BATISTE’s most recent album, released in November 2024. Jon BATISTE recorded this album of piano music in a day and a half at his home in Brooklyn, New York. It features BATISTE’s improvisations on some classic Beethoven pieces, such as “Für Elise,” as well as some original BATISTE compositions inspired by Beethoven.
• MARIO KART (33D: Racing game series with green shells, spiny shells and bananas) In the MARIO KART video games, players compete in go-KART races. Green shells, spiny shells, and bananas are items that may be utilized by players in various ways for offensive or defensive purposes.
• ENCORES (40D: Bonus songs artists come back on stage to perform) This feels like a bonus in today’s RIHANNA-themed puzzle. Perhaps “UMBRELLA” is the main performance today and “SOS” is the ENCORE – or vice versa.
• TONES (42D: Apt anagram of “notes”) “TONES” is indeed an apt anagram of “notes” (as in musical notes), and it occurs to me that “steno” is also an apt anagram of “notes” (as in written notes).

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

• RIHANNA (18A: Singer with the 2007 No. 1 hit 54-Across)
• SOS (48A: 18-Across song with the refrain “please, someone help me”)
• UMBRELLA (54A: 18-Across song depicted by this puzzle’s black squares)

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN: This is a RIHANNA-themed puzzle, complete with a grid art UMBRELLA.

Grid art is a fun thing, because it draws you into the puzzle before you even start solving. And the UMBRELLA grid art so perfectly matches the title of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, that I immediately knew this puzzle was going to be a treat. From a constructor standpoint, I know good grid art is challenging, but it’s also rewarding when it works, as it does so well today. Thank you, Matthew, for this delightful puzzle.

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