UPPER EAST SIDE — The actress who played Scout in the 1962 film adaption of "To Kill a Mockingbird" will read from Harper Lee's newest book at the 92nd Street Y next month.
On July 14, Harper Lee's long-awaited novel "Go Set a Watchman" will be hitting stores, and to mark the occasion actress Mary Badham will be doing readings of both books at the Y at 1395 Lexington Ave., followed by a Q and A.
“Of course at age 10 I wasn’t aware of the impact ‘Mockingbird’ had at the time or the impact the film would have later, but it has been a special part of my life ever since,” Badham, now 62, said in a written statement. “Now I am really excited about ‘Watchman’ and being able to share it with Miss Nelle’s loyal and passionate fans.”
“Go Set a Watchman” is set 20 years after "To Kill a Mockingbird” when Scout returns home from New York. Lee had submitted the book to her publishers before “To Kill a Mockingbird," but it wasn't published.
HarperCollins announced in February that Lee's manuscript, which had been set aside for 60 years, would finally be published.
Badham will take questions from the audience after the reading, which is being hosted by the Y's Unterberg Poetry Center.
Bernard Schwartz, the director of 92nd Street Y’s Poetry Center, said getting "Scout to read Scout was irresistible."
“Mary, once we tracked her down, turned out to be as excited about it as we were," he said.
"What better way to celebrate Harper Lee and the launch of her 'Watchman?'”
The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24 and $15 for those 35 years old and under. Those who cannot attend can watch a live stream on the Y’s website.