Meryl Streep Honored by New Dramatists

At the 55th annual New Dramatists benefit luncheon, held today at the Marriot Marquis in Times Square, the consummate actress Meryl Streep was honored with the organization’s 2004 Career Achievement Award.

“This award is special because it’s from the writers,” said Streep in a press conference held just before the luncheon began. “You know, honestly, I don’t need another award; if I never get another award in my life, I’ll go to my grave happy. But I’m so honored that writers like me! Your biggest fear as an actor is that you’re screwing up their stuff, and it’s just wonderful to have the recognition of people that I think are smarter than I am.”

At the prompting of reporters, Streep went on to discuss her upcoming films, including the remake of The Manchurian Candidate. She also talked about her experience as one of the producers of the Sarah Jones show bridge & tunnel: “It’s been very satisfying — the closest I’ve come to motherhood in the business. I feel so proud of [Sarah]. To claim any credit at all is just ridiculous because I don’t have anything to do with this full-blown, great, amazing talent and unique voice in the world, but it’s very satisfying to see the rest of the city pick up on her. She already had a following but she has sort of moved up through bridge and tunnel to find larger audiences.”

Asked to name some other young actresses who impress her, Streep replied, “Many, many, many. I’m amazed at the depth and variety of women that are working right now. It’s thrilling. I would never, ever single out four or five — unless I’m producing their show! — because I would leave out someone inadvertently that I think is amazing. The thing about acting and actresses now is that there is such a range of talent, you almost never see anybody working who doesn’t deserve to be. That used to happen all the time.”

One of the reporters on hand pointed out that Streep had been in the original production of the Stephen Sondheim-Burt Shevelove adaptation of The Frogs as performed in the Yale University swimming pool in 1974. “I can do my lines from it,” Streep offered: “‘Rikkikikikik-rikkikikiki-rikikik-rikikik-rikikikikik.'” Asked if she would ever come back to Broadway in a musical, she replied, “Not to do that!”

Streep described herself as a “news junkie,” adding: “The world is much with us, so you feel like you have to stay on top of it all.” In response to a reporter’s question, she confirmed that, yes, she does indeed ride the New York subway. Asked if she gives her identity on the subway, she replied, “I don’t get in the middle of the car and announce it!” She related that some of her fellow riders have come up to her and said, “You know, you really, really look like Meryl Streep. You could get work!”

Kevin Kline, who presented the New Dramatists’ award to Streep, sang her praises: “Meryl continues to challenge herself. It’s hard to believe that an actress could grow any further than she has, but that’s the joy of watching Meryl. She throws herself so passionately into the work and she pushes the envelope every time out. She redefines acting for herself and, therefore, for us. She burns with a gem-like flame that she plunges into those mysterious, dangerous waters of human passion, and she takes chances that very few actors would ever bother to take. I did Sophie’s Choice with her back in 1981 or 1982 and then I didn’t work with her again until a few summers ago when we did The Seagull. What surprised me was how undiminished her enthusiasm and her talent were. She demands the best of herself and of others.”

Before the press conference ended, Streep was asked if receiving the New Dramatists award is giving her an appetite to return to the Broadway stage. “Yes,” she replied, “I’ll be making a special plea in my speech today!”