Reg Lenna Center For The Arts
Description
Box Office Hours: T-F 10am-5pm
The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts provides a grand historic theater and dynamic arts programming for all ages. The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts was first opened on February 5, 1923 as the Palace Theatre, a "High Class Vaudeville" house. Films - usually a short comedy plus a feature, were shown before and after the twice daily vaudeville performances. Three years later Nikitas Dipson bought the facility and continued with film and vaudeville shows until he leased it as one of Warner Brothers theaters for 20 years. By 1934 films were the only entertainment available on a regular basis, with live performances seeing much less stage time.
In 1950 Dipson Theatres once again took over management. The Palace was remodeled by installing new heating and cooling systems, carpeting, wall coverings and new seats. At the reopening Dipson reaffirmed his intention to feature not only first run films of the best quality, but also stage shows, orchestras and vaudeville. In 1956, Forever Darling, starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, had its world premiere at The Palace. With the passing years fewer and fewer people attended the theater, equipment was wearing out, and the building needed repairs.
In June of 1981, Harry Chapin gave the first live show in the theatre in 25 years. During the concert, both performer and audience got rained on. Some people in the balcony were using umbrellas! Harry Chapin pledged to come back and do a fundraiser if the people would organize to save the building. Tragically, Chapin died a month later, but he had started the process. A group of citizens, with the help of the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency and the Gebbie Foundation, banded together to repair and clean up the old theatre. By October 1982 the Palace was once again ready to host live performances to "test" whether there was enough interest to warrant further renovation. In February 1986 a 3.35 million dollar campaign was started to completely renovate the old Palace. The Reginald and Elizabeth Lenna Foundation made an early donation of one million dollars and one year later, when the goal for funds was met and surpassed, the Palace was officially renamed the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
Renovation, which began in 1989, included taking out all the seats for reupholster, reconstruction of the orchestra pit, new stage lighting and equipment, new curtains, new house lights, handicapped seating, new floor coverings, original artwork repaired and cleaned, new stage entrance, new heating and cooling systems, and a new stage floor. The grand reopening was held October 12, 1990.
The beautifully restored 1,269 seat Reg Lenna Civic Center received an award from the League of Historic American Theatres for the quality and workmanship of its restoration. It boasts a 35' movie screen, state of the art projection and sound equipment, and a Steinway 9' Model D concert grand piano. The Reg Lenna Civic Center was host to the Lucy-Desi Days celebration Memorial Day Weekend and Lucy's birthday celebration in August.
For several years, The Reg operated side by side with Arts Council for Chautauqua County, spearheaded by Executive Director, Phillip Morris (also overseeing The Reg). Both organizations saw significant growth with property acquisitions and management, Arts In Education programs with Jamestown Public Schools, the Wright Gallery and Palace Gallery, the start of Infinity Performing Arts and The Lucille Ball Museum (and Festival Of Comedy) and mainstage productions from several area art groups.
In February 2000, the community lost a great friend and benefactor with the death of Reg Lenna. Betty passed in 2011.
The Arts Council for Chautauqua County and The Reg Lenna Civic Center continued working together through the 2000’s, seeing Infinity Visual and Performing Arts and The Lucy Desi Center striking out on their own. David Schein, joined as Executive Director, emphasizing community involvement and opening arts education to new collaborators. The 3rd On 3rd Gallery was opened in 2011. New public and community art initiatives such as 3rd Street Canvas and Insomniac Competitive Film Festival were born from collaborations with local artists.
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facebook.comClick the ticketing link above, and SKIP the line for ultimate movie-going convenience! Only $5! Online ticket sales close one hour before performance start time when the box office opens. Admission is $5. Online ticket sales close one hour before performance start time when the box office opens. Featuring the voices of Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig. Despicable Me 3 continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions. After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad. Rated PG. 96 minutes. *During sensory friendly screenings, the sound will be lower and lights kept up higher to help patrons with sensitivity issues. Also, patrons may move around in the seats and talk during the screening without stigma. Sensory Friendly Matinees are sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Jamestown and The Resource Center.
Click the ticketing link above, and SKIP the line for ultimate movie-going convenience! Only $5! Online ticket sales close one hour before performance start time when the box office opens. Admission is $5. Online ticket sales close one hour before performance start time when the box office opens. Featuring the voices of Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig. Despicable Me 3 continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions. After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad. Rated PG. 96 minutes. *During sensory friendly screenings, the sound will be lower and lights kept up higher to help patrons with sensitivity issues. Also, patrons may move around in the seats and talk during the screening without stigma. Sensory Friendly Matinees are sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Jamestown and The Resource Center.
Home for the Home for the Holidays 2: Christmas at The Reg is coming up on December 9! Last year's concert was such a great time we decided to do it again. The lineup will be announced in a couple of weeks. Who do you think will be performing?? http://reglenna.com/events/home-holidays-2-christmas-reg
Movies at The Reg - Dirty Dancing shows tonight and Movies at The Reg - The Beguiled shows one week from tonight. Admission is $5! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR5EKVv2F0M
Movies at The Reg - Dirty Dancing shows August 23 at 7pm. Admission is $5! http://www.wgrz.com/ext/news/nation-now/30-reasons-why-were-still-obsessed-with-dirty-dancing-30-years-later/71/nationnow/4h3pEg0DRK6c2Uk6IYC8S2
Reg Lenna Center For The Arts is the October 20 destination for Black Violin's Classical Boom Tour! Call 746.484.7070 for tickets or buy online: http://reglenna.com/events/black-violin
Movies at The Reg - Dirty Dancing shows ONE NIGHT ONLY - August 23 at 7pm. Admission is $5! http://www.avclub.com/article/have-time-your-life-60-minutes-schlocky-movie-love-259396
Kumail Nanjiani's semi-autobiographical romantic comedy Movies at The Reg - The Big Sick shows September 13 at 7pm. Admission is $5! http://reglenna.com/events/movies-reg-big-sick
Have the time of your life and celebrate the 30th anniversary of Movies at The Reg - Dirty Dancing Wednesday, August 23 at 7pm. Admission is $5! http://reglenna.com/events/movies-reg-dirty-dancing
Reg Lenna Center For The Arts has your movie-going needs covered starting tonight with Movies at The Reg - Baby Driver at 7pm! http://reglenna.com/movies
Click the ticketing link above, and SKIP the line for ultimate movie-going convenience! Only $5! Online ticket sales close one hour before performance start time when the box office opens. Starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny. Rated PG-13. 141 minutes.
Click the ticketing link above, and SKIP the line for ultimate movie-going convenience! Only $5! Online ticket sales close one hour before performance start time when the box office opens. Starring Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. Directed by Michael Showalter (Hello, My Name Is Doris). The Big Sick tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Nanjiani), who connects with grad student Emily (Kazan) after one of his standup sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing, which complicates the life that is expected of Kumail by his traditional Muslim parents. Then Emily is beset with a mystery illness forcing Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents, Beth and Terry (Hunter and Romano) who he's never met, while dealing with the emotional tug-of-war between his family and his heart. Rated R. 124 minutes.
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