Adam Wagner, Michael Lieberman, and Rafael Musa’s New York Times crossword, “In Play” —Nate’s write-up

Happy New Year! I hope this second of transition finds you nicely, with shiny promise in 2023.  Luckily, we get to start out the yr with this enjoyable puzzle from a trio of tremendous proficient constructors!

12.31.22 New York Times Sunday Crossword

– 23A: RECTANGULAR PRISM [Stick of butter, geometrically] with RECLAIM encircled
– 71A: GET BACK IN SHAPE [Recommit to one’s fitness … or what 23-Across depicts literally]

RECLAIM (GET BACK) is in RECTANGULAR PRISM (SHAPE)

– 31A: LOVE WILL TEAR US APART [Seminal 1980 hit by Joy Division] with ERUPT encircled
– 82A: BREAK OUT IN SONG [What characters in musicals often do … or what 31-Across depicts literally]

ERUPT (BREAK OUT) is in LOVE WILL TEAR US APART (SONG)

– 50A: MOUNTAIN STATES [Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming, among others] with MATES encircled
– 98A: FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES [Useful people to know … or what 50-Across depicts literally]

MATES (FRIENDS) is in MOUNTAIN STATES (HIGH PLACES)

– 61A: DOCTOR DOOLITTLE [Hit 1998 Eddie Murphy comedy based on books by Hugh Lofting] with DOODLE encircled
– 110A: PICTURE IN PICTURE [Screen feature that facilitates multitasking … or what 61-Across depicts literally]

DOODLE (PICTURE) is in DOCTOR DOOLITTLE (PICTURE)

WOWIE, speak about theme density! In every pair of themers, the primary accommodates a phrase spelled out sequentially, whereas the second reimagines a standard phrase to explain that word-within-a-phrase. There are different choices that might make for themers in a puzzle like this, however I used to be actually pleased with those that made the reduce right here, and the timing of this puzzle might be not unrelated to the GET BACK IN SHAPE entry that resonates with January 1. Nice job, constructors!

Other random ideas:
– This was a extremely clear grid that stuffed tremendous rapidly for me. Here’s hoping lots of you began the yr with fast occasions, too!
– I cracked up on the pairing of the “Stick of butter…” clue with GET BACK IN SHAPE within the first pair of themers. Which is it??
– 78D: POSES NUDE [Barely sits still?] – Clue of the puzzle? This made me smile.
– 103D: CDC [Agcy. that advises against eating raw cookie dough] – But it’s so tasty!

That’s all from me for now. Wishing you all the perfect in 2023!