Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Executive Director Hillary Meyer addresses audience for kick off of the theatre’s Centennial Celebration (February 5, 2023)

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts kicked off its centennial celebration Sunday.

A ceremony was held in the theatre on the 100th anniversary of the Palace Theatre opening in 1923.

Executive Director Hillary Meyer, addressing an audience of local officials and members of the public, said the theatre has stood while the landscape around it has changed, “Not many 100 year old buildings have maintained the integrity and drama of its original appearance. The age of the building is significant as it shows how much this theatre means to all of you. It’s the community who have helped it persevere for this long.”

Reg Board Vice President Ellen Ditonto said the theatre has had a storied past, “From the days of vaudeville, to the movie debut done by our own Lucille Ball, and to a night in 1981, one night I was here actually, when the late great Harry Chapin performed a one-man concert. It was raining that night and it was raining on the stage. And that was the very start of the refurbishment and the renovation of the old Palace Theatre to Reg Lenna Civic Center first and now the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.”

Meyer encouraged people to share their memories or stories of experiences at the Palace and Reg Theatre.

You can share those memories by visiting reglenna.com/memories. Photos can be shared by emailing memories@reglenna.com

The event at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 5 takes place 100 years to the day of the opening of the Palace Theater.

The Centennial Celebration will feature an address from Executive Director Hillary Meyer, words from special guests from the community, treats for those in attendance and a free screening at 2:30 p.m. of the 2003 comedy film, School of Rock, starring Jack Black.

The Palace Theater opened on February 5, 1923 with a program featuring live music, public officials and a screening of the Lionel Barrymore film, A Face in the Fog. The theater initially operated as a vaudeville house, with Nikitas Dipson purchasing it in 1926, adding more movie showings. It showcased films and live events through 1956. That year saw Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz return to Jamestown to premiere their film Forever Darling at the theater.

After 25 years of showing films exclusively, the Palace had fallen into disrepair. After a noted solo concert by Harry Chapin in 1981, community members began the process of raising funds to restore the theater.

The Palace Civic Center presented live performances for nearly a decade, reopening fully after it was restored in 1990. It was renamed the Reg Lenna Civic Center, honoring Reginald and Elizabeth Lenna – who provided a generous financial gift to complete the renovations. The theater continues to be the focus of programming at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts with over 60 films and 30 live events presented annually.

The Centennial Celebration will kick off a year of anniversary film screenings, live entertainment and the return of the Cash Bash fundraiser. A larger, commemorative event recognizing the Palace will take place this fall.

For more information on the Centennial Celebration and more programs, visit reglenna.com

Len Barry of the Reg Lenna Center For The Arts joined WRFA’s Anthony Merchant in-studio to discuss upcoming February events at the Reg as well as how the theater plans to take part in this years Doors Open Jamestown

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