Readers for the 7 PM event will include Dana Ivey, Kevin Collins, Christian Conn, Michael Early, Anthony Newfield and Bryce Pinkham. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Marlon Cherry.

A reception and book signing with Mitchell will follow the reading.

Poetry for Peace, whose mission is to present public readings of great works that deal with war and peace, was founded by actor Anthony Newfield in 2003 during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq. Working on Broadway at the time, Newfield assembled a group of fellow actors to read anti-war poems at St. John the Divine. Since then Poetry for Peace has presented readings at various venues throughout the city.

“'The Iliad' is a complete look at what happens in war,” said Newfield in a statement. “Homer does not demonize the Trojans for instance; he shows them as human, as decent and loving people. At the same time, through Homer’s language, we often see touching interludes of beauty and humanity amidst the slaughter. Alexander the Great, who slept with it under his pillow, called the 'Iliad' ‘a treasury of all military virtue,’ whereas Simone Weil portrayed it as an indictment of war. Poetry for Peace and the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine are honored to be giving this new translation its first public reading.”

Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 111th Street). The reading is free of charge.