Meryl Streep Honored with Monte Cristo Award; Serenaded by Lopez Team

Meryl Streep was honored with the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's Monte Cristo Award last night, April 21st, at a gala held at New York City's Edison Ballroom. Among those in attendance to praise the Oscar-winning actress were Tony winner, Judith Light, and famed playwrights Tracy Letts, Tony Kushner and John Patrick Shanley.

The actress told reporters, "I'm glad to see some old friends and celebrate this wonderful theater -- it's a home for new playwrights, writers, musicians, it's a rare sort of conservatory for new talent and ideas."

Joked Angels in America" writer Tony Kushner, "We all think it'd be wonderful to be praised as much as Meryl Streep is, but actually I think it must be a nightmare."

Shanley, who directed the Streep in the film version of his play "Doubt," commented that it was a natural fit for Streep to take on the role of a nun. "It's extremely appropriate for Meryl to play a nun because, and no offense to her husband, she kind of is a nun. She lives a life of service. It's just nice to see somebody behaving so well for so long."

'August Osage County' scribe Tracy Letts, currently starring in Broadway's "The Realistic Joneses," called Streep his acting hero.

Oscar winners Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Frozen), both alums of the O'Neill, serenaded the actress with an original tune to honor her accomplishment. Among the lyrics: "We sing 'Mamma Mia!' in our sleep / We wanna be Meryl Streep / Funny and smart and deep."

Streep has appeared on Broadway in Happy End, The Cherry Orchard, Secret Service, and Trelawny of the Wells, as well as off-Broadway's Wonderland in Concert and Alice in Concert.

The actress' upcoming film projects include Rob Marshall's film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical Into the Woods, The Homesman, August: Osage County, The Good House and The Giver. Her past movie credits include Hope Springs, The Iron Lady, It's Complicated, Julie & Julia, Doubt, Mamma Mia!, The Devil Wears Prada, The Hours and more.

Streep joins previous Monte Cristo recipients Christopher Plummer, Michael Douglas, James Earl Jones,Harold Prince, Kevin Spacey, Neil Simon, Edward Albee, and August Wilson.

Source: Variety