THEME: both words of a two-word phrase can be substituted for by homonyms
GOOD ONES: Composer Dvorjak in hiding? CHACHED CHECK [cashed and check = cashed check]
Demands for quiet from downstairs tenant? CEILING WHACKS [sealing and wax = sealing wax]
Wildebeests [note spelling] slowing down? BRAKING GNUS [breaking and news = breaking news]
Proteges, e.g. MAZDAS [this one stumped me for awhile]
Cutting-edge professional? SURGEON
Dolphin, e.g. MIAMIAN [like Mazda, it gives me pause --- and the animals may also be native to Miami shores]
One of Kramden's hardy followers? HAR [Ralph of "The Honeymooners" would say "hardy har-har" ironically. Seems possible only for the Geritol crowd --- of which I am one]
BTW: NAS, STU Sutcliffe, and DEPECHE Mode make up for HAR [I liked MOOD Indigo better both as a clue and as music], but nothing can atone for YTTRIA.
ASSISI and CAPRI were happy reminders of a great vacation, especially Capri which I think is my favorite place visited, including all of Hawaii.
RATING:
Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun
