Hillary is a JHS grad and studied film and video production in Rochester before returning to Jamestown. The Reg will be celebrating its centennial in 2023. It originally started in 1923 as the Palace, primarily a vaudeville theatre.
Ownership changed hands over the years, and in 1956, Dipson Theatre presented the world premiere of “Forever Darling” with Lucille Ball. The theatre fell into disrepair and in 1981, Harry Chapin performed onstage, amid raindrops and buckets onstage, backstage and throughout the theatre. Harry challenged Jamestown to renovate the theatre, and promised to return when the work was completed. The Gebbie Foundation along with private donors, notably Reginald Lenna, met the challenge, and the theatre reopened in 1990 as the Reg Lenna. Throughout the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Lenna received funding through the American Rescue Plan, PPP Loans and other grants and completed additional renovations, including a new roof. Programs can be found at www.reglenna.com.