Meryl Streep to Star in 2006 Mother Courage in Central Park

By Andrew Gans
and Robert Simonson
21 Apr 2005

Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

During a press conference announcing the Public Theater 2005-06 season, new artistic director Oskar Eustis revealed that film star Meryl Streep will headline a new production of Brecht's classic Mother Courage, to be staged in Central Park in summer 2006

Tony Kusher (Angels in America, Caroline, or Change) will pen a new adaptation. No dates or other stars were announced.

Streep caused a sensation in 2001 when she returned to the New York stage after a long absence to appear in a Mike Nichols rendition of Chekhov's The Seagull in Central Park. Kevin Kline, Natalie Portman and Philip Seymour Hoffman also starred in that show.

During the 1970s, Streep appeared in New York City stagings of The Cherry Orchard, Happy End and Taming of the Shrew. She is the winner of two Oscars.

Gloria Foster played Mother Courage in a Public Theater production of the play in the early 80s.

Artistic Director Eustis confirmed that Lynn Collins and Brian Bedford will co-star in this summer's production of Shakespeare's As You Like It, which will run June 25-July 17 at the Delacorte. Mark Lamos directs.