““And Scene” Wraps Up Today’s NYT Mini Crossword

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, solvers of The New York Times Mini Crossword faced the clue, “Director’s words at the end of a take.” The answer was AND SCENE. This phrase is often used in rehearsals to mark the end of a scene.

The clue showed up as 9-Across in the five-by-five grid. It tested both seasoned puzzlers and casual players. On film sets, you often hear “cut.” But the NYT Mini used a stage term instead. This adds a playful twist, connecting to various performance worlds.

On social media and crossword forums, fans praised the phrase for its elegant simplicity. Samantha Lee, a subscriber, posted on Twitter about her solve time. She said, “I loved seeing AND SCENE today. It’s a lovely reminder of live theater!” Crossword-help websites quickly posted answer guides and hints right after the puzzle came out. This helped players keep their streaks, even if they got stuck for a bit.

Today’s Mini offered a blend of pop-culture, wordplay and straightforward trivia. Other entries included MOPTOP (1-Across: “Hairstyle made famous by the Beatles”) and ZOOM LENS (12-Across: “Camera lens”). For down clues, there was MINION (1-Down: “Yellow character in ‘Despicable Me’”) and PLS (3-Down: “Opposite of ‘thx’ in texts”).

As puzzle fans finished their grids with the last letters of AND SCENE, many thought about the clue’s ties to theater. ““It’s great to see a puzzle clue that takes you from the page to the stage,” said crossword blogger Jon Patel.

Tomorrow’s NYT Mini is ready! Solvers will find a mix of clever wordplay and cultural references. Visit The Times website or app on Sunday morning to dive in!