Meryl Streep Will Star in Screen Adaptation of Terrence McNally’s Master Class, Directed by Mike Nichols

Oscar winner Meryl Streep is set to star as Maria Callas in an HBO adaptation of Terrence McNally’s Master Class. According to The New York Post, EGOT-er Mike Nichols will helm the project, which is planning to start filming in January 2015.

Master Class is a portrait of an opera diva told through her recollections of the glories, triumphs, and tragedies of her own life and career. The original production of Master Class won 1996 Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Actress (Zoe Caldwell as Callas) and Best Featured Actress (Audra McDonald as a student performing during one of the diva’s master classes). The 2011 Great White Way revival starred Tyne Daly and Sierra Boggess.

Streep has been nominated for 18 Oscars and won three, for Kramer vs, Kramer, Sophie’s Choice and The Iron Lady. She recently starred in another stage to screen adaptation, August: Osage County and headlines the upcoming Into the Woods movie. Her previous work with Nichols includes Angels in America, Postcards From the Edge and Silkwood.