James Franco and Frank Bidart

James Franco isn't one to sit idly by. The actor, director, producer, screenwriter, former Freaks and Geeks star, "Spraaang Breaaak"–uttering gangster (in Harmony Korine's most recent film), novelist, curator, performance artist, scholar, et cetera, also has "published poet" on his considerable resume. Co-sponsored by the Chicago Humanities Festival and the Poetry Foundation, this "Off the Shelf" event features the multi-hyphenate Franco in discussion with his hero, poet Frank Bidart. The program features a screening of Herbert White—Franco's adaptation of Bidart's famous poem—as well as a discussion of Franco's new poetry collection, Directing Herbert White, available for exclusive early purchase at the event. The two are joined by Poetry Foundation president Robert Polito.