E I, E I, Ho, Ho, HoFocus at a boxer’s school
OBEDIENCE [boxer = dog]Coming-out party?
GAY [party=individual]Pen name
ERST [oldie but goodie]
Theme: short i
substituted for by long e
in phrasesPolish protector?
SHEENGUARDRed-costumed actor in “Veggie Tales”?
BEETPLAYERMeryl as a coquette?
37-Across and 37-Down are the same clue, and I thought I had, as usual, misread across for down. Source of a vital supply
RESERVOIR [don’t know why “vital” is part of the clue --- any number of adjectives might do: extra, small, useless, liquid, gaseous…ESAS
Three grins = Excellent: Loved it; Two grins = Good: Enjoyed it; One grin = Satisfactory: A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Unsatisfying: No fun