The Week in Review

Frank Willard, R.I.P.: In a month marked by sad losses, another has occurred. Frank Willard, vice president of Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting and the husband of our own Helen Willard, a PLASA Events sales executive, died last week. In an industry where job-hopping is often the norm, Willard began at Syracuse Scenery in 1976. He was also a founding member of the Theatrical Dealers Association, which later became ESTA, and still later, PLASA North America. He was a much-too-young 58. http://plasa.me/7zjcl

Scott Davies Retires: In another major surprise, the American DJ Group of Companies announced that Scott Davies has retired after more than 25 years. Davies is a well-known industry figure -- he has been a regular presence at dozens of trade shows -- who guided the company through many years of steady success. He also oversaw the addition of the Elation Lighting brand, which competes with such companies as Philips Vari-Lite, Martin Professional, Clay Paky, and the Acclaim line of architectural lighting gear. http://plasa.me/32h8w

Thea Award Winners Announced: The winners of the Thea Awards, presented by the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), have been announced, and the big winner is Disney. Three separate attractions at Disney's California Adventure are among the winners: Radiator Springs Racers, Cars Land, and Catha Circle Restaurant and Lounge. This is good news for a park that was once criticized for lacking enough strong attractions. Among the winners of the Buzz Price Lifetime Achievement award are Marty Sklar, formerly of Disney and now head of Marty Sklar Creative, Inc., and Jack Rouse, of attraction and exhibit designer Jack Rouse Associates. http://plasa.me/6v061

Lex Products Supports Behind the Scenes: Cheers to Lex Products, which will support Behind the Scenes in 2013 by pledging a portion of the profits from the sales of their Bento box line to the charity. The Bento boxes are Lex Products' smallest series of UL-listed boxes for distributing power or breaking out circuits. Bob Luther, president of Lex Products, stated, "After hearing about the recent good work of Behind the Scenes at the Rock Our World Awards ceremony last fall, we decided to support this cause. Since we won a PLASA Members' Choice Award for the Bento PowerCon breakout box, we felt the Bento series would be a meaningful choice. We are happy to support this worthy cause this way." http://plasa.me/vt9uv

Spider-Man Litigation, Chapter 1,785: Just in case you thought peace finally reigned over the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, now comes a report from Reuters that the show's producers, led by Michael Cohl and Jere Harris, have so far been unable to settle with Julie Taymor, who conceived and directed the musical, until she was fired. "The parties' efforts to finalize a settlement have not yet been successful," wrote Charles Spada, a lawyer for Taymor, in a January 9 letter -- that was made public January 10 -- to U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest in Manhattan. But he said both sides were "hopeful that a final settlement can be reached within the next few days." If no settlement is reached, the case will go to trial on May 27. http://plasa.me/1yqu9