Star of the Show solution
by Kegler
As indicated by 22 Across, LEADING MAN, nine answers have MAN appended to the front to become new words prior to entry.
Across
| 1 | MIDDLE C (musiCians) |
| 6 | I + bAMBI |
| 9 | ANISE (hidden) |
| 10 | MANSA(R)D |
| 13 | TARD + Y (DART anag) |
| 15 | GEL (LEG anag) |
| 17 | CARThAGE |
| 18 | MANTIS (rev) |
| 19 | MPG (1st letters) |
| 20 | MINU(E,T)S |
| 22 | LEADING MAN |
| 24 | MANG + ROVE |
| 25 | ANOA (hidden) |
| 30 | MOWN ("MOAN" hom) |
| 31 | RASSLE (LASERS anag) |
| 32 | SH(A + P)ED |
| 33 | I + DEAL |
| 35 | A + DULl + T |
| 36 | COR(O)NET |
| 37 | L + ODE |
| 38 | MAND + RAKE |
|
Down
| 1 | MANGOt |
| 2 | INTERPLAY (PARTY LINE anag) |
| 3 | DIAL + OG (rev) |
| 4 | L + ED |
| 5 | CAR(A)T |
| 6 | IN + FRINGE |
| 7 | MANAG + E |
| 8 | ID(L)ERS (DRIES anag) |
| 11 | kSA + TSUM + A (rev) |
| 12 | RIGHT NOW ("NIGHT ROW" spoonerism) |
| 14 | RUMMAGE SALE (A SUMMER GALE anag) |
| 16 | MANDR + ILL |
| 19 | M(EMOR + I)AL (rev) |
| 21 | IN + VA + S(I)ON |
| 23 | MANDATE (2 defs) |
| 26 | NOPE (PEON anag) |
| 27 | PSEUD (DUPES anag) |
| 28 | ME + C + CA |
| 29 | T(H)IRD (DIRT anag) |
| 30 | MANOR (2 defs) |
| 34 | LEK (hidden) |
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