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The brunch and reading was hosted by Larry Gelbart and featured readings by: Teri Garr from Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic; Tony Shalhoub from Luis Rodruiguez’s Always Running; Brooke Adams from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird ; Dana Delany from Madeline L’Engel’s A Wrinkle in Time; Danny Huston from Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five; Eva-Marie Saint from Toni Morrison’s Beloved; and Gore Vidal from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.

Renowned artist Tom Benedek created a series of photos called “Heated Words” especially for the event to be sold at the silent auction in support of PEN USA programs. Marvin Putnam, Chairman of the PEN USA Domestic Freedom to Write Committee, spoke about the importance of freedom of expression in the United States and internationally. Remarks were also made by PEN USA President Kate Gale and PEN USA Executive Director Adam Somers.

Forbidden Fruit readers: (from left to right) TERI GARR, EVA MARIE SAINT, BROOKE ADAMS, TONY SHALHOUB, DANA DELANY, DANNY HUSTON, LARRY GELBART, and (seated) GORE VIDAL.

TOM BENEDECK with a photo from his “Heated Words” collection.

KATE GALE welcomes guests to Forbidden Fruit.

ADAM SOMERS describes the programs of PEN USA.

MARVIN PUTNAM speaks about the importance of the First Amendment.