‘Best in Ten’ to Benefit Carpenter Square Theatre, 8/18

Carpenter Square Theatre will host "Best in Ten 2012," an event to benefit the theater, on Saturday, August 18. The event will be held at 800 W. Main , located at the southwest corner of Main and Shartel in downtown Oklahoma City . Proceeds from "Best in Ten" will help support the theater's building fund, as well as programming for the theatre's 29th Season, which includes eight productions and educational outreach to at-risk students in the metro area. The theme for this year's benefit is "little theatre…Big Ideas!"

At "Best in Ten," Carpenter Square will pay tribute to Jane Hall and Bob Smith. Ms. Hall, a highly regarded stage and film actress, has performed with Carpenter Square, as well as many theaters in the metro area, including Lyric Theatre and Jewel Box Theatre. Mr. Smith is a staunch supporter of Carpenter Square and an avid theatergoer in the metro area. He is retired from the University of Central Oklahoma, and formerly reviewed Theater Productions for the Edmond Sun newspaper.

A reception with food provided by area restaurants and a cash bar begins at 7:10 p.m. Tributes to the guests of honor and the entertainment begin at 8:10 p.m. Carpenter Square Theatre will present staged readings of short plays, including the winning plays from the theater's 9th Annual Ten-Minute Play Contest. Guest of Honor Jane Hall will perform in a short play penned by Rick Allen Lippert of Oklahoma City, joined by Mary Gordon Taft and Christine Jolly. Other performers for the ten-minute plays are Linda McDonald, Terry Veal, Lana Henson, and Rob May.

In addition, the evening will include a "wine pull" and live and silent auctions. Some highlights of the items up for bids are a "Born in the USA" album signed by Bruce Springsteen & the entire E Street Band; Frank Sinatra's album "No One Cares" signed by The Chairman; a large color photo of the original Star Trek TV cast signed by Shatner, Nimoy, George Takei, DeForest Kelly & 3 more; The Beatles' "Abbey Road" album signed by Paul & Ringo; a signed Ringo Starr drumhead; a Carlos Santana signed color photo; and for folks with youngsters, a large color photo of Justin Bieber - signed, of course! All are beautifully framed.

Tickets for "Best in Ten" are $30. For more information, visit www.carpentersquare.com. To make reservations, phone 405-232-6500 or email csttix@sbcglobal.net. Those wishing to make a donation may call 405-232-6500 or mail the contribution to: Carpenter Square Theatre, 900 W. Main, Oklahoma City, OK, 73106.