"What makes a genius?" the Society asks. "Three contemporary thinkers — joined by a cast of actors including Ginnifer Goodwin, Tony Award winner Richard Easton, Linda Emond and Steve Skybell — address the size, scope, and enduring mystery of Shakespeare's accomplishments."

The evening will include scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet and King Lear.

Headlining the discussion, Adam Gopnik (The New Yorker, "Paris to the Moon") will explore Shakespeare's use of multiple tones and voices. Ron Rosenbaum (New York Observer, "The Shakespeare Wars") will address whether Shakespeare was the romantic "natural genius" who never blotted a line or a conscientious artist who revised his work in important ways. And Broadway director Mark Lamos (Seascape, The Rivals) will consider "Shakespeare: A Man of the Theatre."

Michael Sexton is artistic director of The Shakespeare Society.

The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College is at 68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues. Limited tickets, priced at $25-$40, are available from The Kaye box office at (212) 772-4448.