The New York Times crossword puzzle

No. 0615

Across

1 “A pity” 5 Holier-than-thou 9 Possible poker payments 14 Lead role in “Rent” 15 Boxed up, say 16 California’s Santa ___ Range 17 “Rocky IV” rival who makes a reappearance in “Creed II” 19 Crack 20 Like the love story in 2013’s “Blue Is the Warmest Color” 21 What might precede a bite 23 School 43-Across 24 Home of the Basilica di San Francesco 25 Astronomical rarity 27 Digital native, often 28 Timeconsuming environmental procedures 30 Something rain might change, in brief 31 Squeezes (into) 32 Sweet treat since 1924 33 Called to see, in a way 34 Set (on) 37 Whittlers’ tools 38 One of 309 in the National Mall 39 Tissue affliction common during the Civil War 40 Reflect 42 World of Warcraft creature 43 23-Across, for one: Abbr. 44 Mood influencer 45 Program on a Billy Blanks DVD 47 Protest item that leaves a powdery mess 49 In a pickle or in a jam 50 Brewery fixture 51 Substance made from seaweed 52 Is disposed (to) 53 Rocker David Lee ___ 54 City near Tesla Gigafactory 1

Down

1 Question following a holdup 2 What a band plays at a concert 3 Stocked up 4 Penalty box, in hockey lingo 5 Hair care item 6 Say “Not this again!,” say 7 Boot brand since the 1970s 8 Voice-activated smart speaker introduced in 2016 9 Wine-colored 10 Agcy. that oversees Ginnie Mae 11 Fruity summer treats 12 Creep, perhaps 13 Great red dragon, in Revelation 18 Burn, in slang 22 Go on disparagingly 25 Home sweet home? 26 Word in the translation of “e pluribus unum” 29 Backing 31 Quarantine locales 32 [Just like that!] 33 Corral 34 Skinflint 35 Grueling kind of race 36 Brain-wave-amplifying device in “X-Men” 37 It’s one thing after another 38 Martial arts hold that forces submission 39 “Understood” 41 Like some verbs: Abbr. 44 Website need 46 Figure, briefly 48 Mostly monosyllabic language