“Meryl Streep—the Oscar winner who’s transformed herself into Margaret Thatcher, Anna Wintour and Julia Child—will play opera legend Maria Callas in a film version of Terrence McNally’s play ‘Master Class’ for HBO,” write Ian Mohr and Emily Smith in Tuesday’s (6/17) New York Post. “Mike Nichols will direct the adaptation of the Tony-winning play about iconic diva Callas teaching students at Juilliard in 1971. Hollywood sources say filming will begin in January after Streep tackles another juicy musical project—director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Diablo Cody’s ‘Ricky and the Flash,’ in which Streep plays a fading rock star who tries to reconnect with her estranged kids. ‘Meryl is learning the tricks of the guitar trade from none other than legendary Neil Young’ for that movie.… ‘Master Class’ debuted on Broadway in 1995 starring Australian actress Zoe Caldwell as Callas and co-starring Audra McDonald. Others who’ve tackled the role include Patti LuPone and Tyne Daly. In the play, Callas reminisces about her storied career and personal life, which included being dumped by Aristotle Onassis for Jacqueline Kennedy.… Nichols and Streep previously teamed up for ‘Silkwood,’ ‘Heartburn,’ ‘Postcards From the Edge’ and ‘Angels in America.’ ”
Posted June 18, 2014
