In tribute to the greatest sister act in show biz history, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center Plaza has been holding a number of special events in April and May honoring the film and theatre work of Lillian and Dorothy Gish.

Events kicked off April 10 when Anne Jackson, Eli Wallach and Elizabeth Ross offered an "Homage To Dorothy Gish." The performers read scenes from John Patrick's play, The Story Of Mary Surrat (which starred Gish in 1947), as well as the sisters' letters and fan mail.

Upcoming events include actor James MacArthur reminiscing about his relationship with godmother Lillian Gish, May 7. On tap for May 10 are playwright Robert Anderson (I Never Sang For My Father) and actress Teresa Wright discussing Gish's silent films and appearance onstage in the 1968 Father.

Other theatre-related events at the NY Public Library include a reading, May 12, of a new play by David Suesdorph. Disease And Conquer will be directed by Ben Levitt as part of the Reading Room Readings play development series.

On May 19, playwright Charles L. Mee will be part of a panel on "The Artist Descending: Art, Atrocity And Justice." The topic will look at artists who have been implicated in human suffering. For information on these free events, call (212) 870-1630. Tickets are not reservable; they're distributed at the Library's information desk two hours before events get under way.

--By David Lefkowitz