Leland Stein, co-owner of the Regent.
Arlington Community Media inc. (ACMi), Arlington’s community-access television studio, has honored Leland Stein, co-owner and manager of the Regent Theatre, with the 2018 Executive Director’s Choice Award.
This award recognizes those individuals who have dedicated themselves to creating and supporting the arts, and to developing a vibrant cultural environment in Arlington.
Stein was recognized for a long list of contributions to Arlington’s arts and culture scene. That includes providing residents with opportunities to see and hear distinguished artists, such as Mickey Rooney, Yo-Yo Ma and Odetta; to hosting film premieres, such as the 50th-anniversary reissues of “Singing in the Rain” and “The Seven Samurai,” as well as providing a venue for countless community and charity events from kids’ singalongs to fund-raisers for local nonprofits.
It was fitting that, on the night Stein received this award, just two blocks away the Regent, a cultural icon in Arlington since 1916, was presenting a rousing stage version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” to a full house, with the actor who played Jesus in the 1973 film on hand.
Stein has been in charge of the Regent for 16 years, and he and his team have been responsible for revitalizing the 100-year-old theater. In so doing, they have booked, promoted and hosted an impressive number of groups, individual acts and movies, all of which have now become part of Arlington’s cultural heritage.
Linda Shoemaker, executive director of the Arlington Center for the Arts, was the recipient in 2016.
The honors came June 15 at the biennial ACMi Awards ceremony celebrating the work of members, producers and community partners over the last two years.
This news announcement was published Saturday, June 23, 2018.
