ShowPlace Icon Hosting Red Carpet Fundraiser with new Star Trek Movie

A chance meeting with director J.J. Abrams at a fundraising event led one Minnesota woman to an acting part in the new Star Trek into Darkness movie—and a fundraiser at St. Louis Park’s ShowPlace Icon Theater, KSTP-TV reported.

Orono resident Berit Francis, a self-described “Trekkie,” explained her role:

I am Star Fleet. I was going to be an admiral but I didn't like the costume as well, so I chose to get demoted to become a captain. It's all about the outfit. What can I say? ...

"I don't know what I'm doing [in the movie]. Because I'm a Midwestern suburban housewife. And how I got this part is still rather surprising."

See the full KSTP-TV report above or at KSTP.com.

Francis’ daughter received treatment for brain cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. (Her "scans are looking good, according to the report.) Because Francis was fortunate enough to be in the upcoming Star Trek movie, she decided to pay it forward by hosting a “Red Carpet for Hope” fundraiser to benefit St. Jude.

The fundraiser takes place May 23. A red carpet reception takes place at 6 p.m. There will be a program with the Francis family at 7:45 p.m. The movie will begin at 8 p.m., and it will be followed by a VIP after-party.

General admission tickets cost $100 and include the red carpet reception and general admission seating. VIP tickets are $200 and include the red carpet reception, VIP seating, a signature cocktail during the program, entrance to the VIP after-party at Figlio’s and a swag bag.

Click here for more information and to buy tickets.