The event, which will be followed by McNally signing copies of his plays, will begin at 7 PM at the B&N downtown Manhattan location at 33 East 17th Street. New York Times writer Mel Gussow will conduct the interview. Admission to the discussion is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Leonard Foglia directs Richard Thomas and Isabella Rossellini in the world premiere of Terrence McNally's The Stendhal Syndrome at Primary Stages' new home 59E59, Feb. 1-March 27. The staging will officially open Feb. 16.

McNally's breadth of work includes plays (Master Class, Love! Valour! Compassion!) as well as libretto work (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spiderwoman) — all mentioned won him Tony Awards. Other works by the scribe include Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune, The Full Monty, The Visit, Corpus Christi, The Lisbon Traviata, Andre’s Mother and Lips Together, Teeth Apart.

The Stendhal Syndrome combines the two plays: Full Frontal Nudity — about three American tourists who are urged by an Italian guide to bask in the beauty of Michelangelo's "David" — and Prelude & Liebestod — which finds a celebrated conductor watching his life unravel right before his eyes as he leads the opening and ending pieces of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde." Tickets are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information, visit www.primarystages.com.