WASHINGTON — Meryl Streep received her next film assignment over the weekend from a friend — to play the role of Hillary Rodham Clinton in a future film — as Streep and four others were saluted with the Kennedy Center Honors.
The jesting offer came when writer Nora Ephron said Streep’s talent, versatility and resemblance to Clinton made it “inevitable” that she would one day play the secretary of state and former first lady. Clinton, who flew home for 36 hours to celebrate the honorees over the weekend, just laughed, while Streep jokingly stood up for a better look at the nation’s top diplomat.
Along with Streep, pop singer Neil Diamond, Broadway singer Barbara Cook, famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins joined in receiving the nation’s top award Sunday night for those who have influenced American culture through the arts.
Ma, one of the best-known classical musicians, has played cello since he was 4. At age 7, he played for presidents Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Now at 56, he is hailed as a musical ambassador to the world who has spanned styles from Bluegrass to sounds from the Silk Road with an ensemble he founded. Many of his friends performed in his honour.
CBS will broadcast the show on Dec. 27.