TRAGIC TALK Activist Larry Kramer discusses the issues raised in his latest book, “The Tragedy of Today’s Gays” (Tarcher), with a writer for the New Yorker, Michael Specter. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at 12th Street, 212-473-1452, free.

BEATTY BEAT The author of “Warren Beatty: A Private Man” (Harmony), Suzanne Finstad, discusses Mr. Beatty’s career and “the man behind the image.” Tomorrow, noon-1 p.m., Makor, Steinhardt Center, 35 W. 67th St., between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, 212-415-5500, $16.

FRANCE AND FAITH New York University’s Institute of French Studies presents “A Politics of Faith,” a conference focusing on Islamic radicalism, fundamentalism in America, and the separation of church and state. Panelists include professors from America and France, among them NYU’s Jeff Sharlet and Stanford University’s George Fredrickson. Sessions are in English and French. Tomorrow and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., New York University, 5 Washington Place at Washington Square East, room 103, 212-998-8740, free.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE Actress Joanne Woodward and radio host Nimet Habachy kick off the 50th anniversary season of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s lecture series. They’ll give a twopart illustrated discussion on the history of American theater. The first, “Theater for the First Americans,” focuses on the stage’s role in shaping America by covering stories such as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” “Rip van Winkle,” and the adventures of Davy Crockett. First lecture: Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. Second lecture: Wednesday, October 12, 2:30 p.m., Metropolitan Museum, Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd Street, 212-535-7710, $25 each talk.

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