Prepare for a (rather interesting) history lesson, as the theatre pages of Meryl’s early work have been updated. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Meryl was part of the The Experimental Theatre of Vassar College, winning early praise for her lead performance as “Miss Julie” as well as in “The Miser” and “The London Merchant” (have a look at this new picture on the right). Additionally, she made her Off-Broadway debut in “The Playboy of Seville” at the Cubiculo Theatre in New York City. The detail pages for these productions have been revised with more information and reviews on the performances. Head over to the stage productions to launch the new pages.

According to The Playlist, “August: Osage County” has finally received a theatrical release date for the USA – November 8, 2013. The picture is an adaptation of Tracy Letts’ dark comedic play (a 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama) and centers on a troubled family that tries to overcome their differences when their alcoholic patriarch goes missing. Letts wrote the deeply acidic play “Killer Joe” that William Friedkin adapted to fantastically bonkers effect last year and also penned the screenplay to both films. Directed by John Wells, it’s his follow-up effort to “The Company Men,” which starred Ben Affleck, after spending almost three decades in TV writing, producing and directing (notable credits include “Shameless,” and “E.R.” among many). The cast is unstoppable. The mother and father are played by Meryl Streep and Sam Shepard and the adult daughters are played by Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis and Julianne Nicholson from “Boardwalk Empire.” The cast also includes Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch, Abigail Breslin and Dermot Mulroney. Unless there is something botched in the execution, expect this picture to be a big awards player.

In a recent interview, actress Margo Martindale has dished on the recent filming of “August: Osage County”: August was a wonderful, incredible two months. It will look beautiful. The script is magnificent. The actors are all fabulous. Will it all work? That will be a mystery. I was wildly happy to get that part, and I said to myself, after seeing it on Broadway, “I want to play that in the movie.” Rondi Reed, who played it on stage, I couldn’t have perfected that. There was no need to do it on stage. So I decided to set my sights on the movie. You’ve worked with Meryl Streep, who plays your sister Violet, a few times in your career. Did that previous experience with her help build your relationship as sisters? Tremendously. We spent our off time together. She’s a great, great person. These sisters really lean on each other, and I’ve known Chris Cooper, who plays my husband, since 1981. I love him so much. I think that when everyone got this job, you had that looming around in the back of your mind. Juliette Lewis said, “So much came with getting these roles,” and I responded, “I know. I wish we had never had that. I wish we had just been out here doing a movie.” Which we were, but there was so much expectation. There’s something about that that makes it hard.” The complete article can be read here.

Back in October, there were news about a film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Into the Woods” with Meryl in talks to play the Witch. Now, according to Broadway World, the casting seems to be announced. In a new interview with the Litchfield County Times with arranger David Krane confirms, telling the paper that: “I am coming into an exciting time,” said Mr. Krane in a telephone interview from New York City. “My show, “The Road to Qatar,’ is being presented in London next month and then I am doing a revival of an old show, ‘Good News’ at the Goodspeed Opera House. And then the biggest news-they are doing a movie of the musical ‘Into the Woods.’ Disney is going to make the movie and I will do the arrangements. Meryl Streep will be the witch and it will be the first time I have worked with her since 1977 when we did ‘Happy End.’ For one, a new project would make sense since “August: Osage County” is wrapped, but as always I’d consider a project official once the film studio makes an announcement or Meryl mentions it in an interview. The same can be said about recent news of Tommy Lee Jones’ next film “The Horseman”, which has been announced some time back as a vehicle for Meryl – so far, there hasn’t been an official confirmation. Let’s see what happens…

One of the rare finds in Meryl’s career is the 1981 documentary “Kiss Me, Petruchio”, a behind-the-scenes look at the Shakespeare in the Park production of “The Taming of the Shrew” in 1978, starring Raul Julia and Meryl Streep. As I’m sure many are interested in seeing more from this programme, a lenghty excerpt has been added to the video archive. New screencaptures in better quality (although quality is quite a word for an old 1980s tape) have been added to the image library as well.

Watching the documentary on “The Taming of the Shrew” reminds you of two things – first, what a great institution the Public Theater and its annual Shakespeare in the Park is. It opens its doors for the public to watch classic theater for free, boasting performances and plays that are still being mentioned for their brilliance decaded later. And secondly it shows why Meryl has been hailed for her stage work early on. Here, at 29 years old (the play was performed in 1978) she is energetic and intelligent in her interview – and a force of nature on the stage.

The career sections for Meryl’s voice work and documentaries have been updated. Her voice work provides a very interesting base to learn more about the causes close to her heart, from women’s rights to organic food and nature. New audio clips from various voice work productions have been added, including The Colors of Hope (1985), Arctic Refuge: A Vanishing Wilderness (1991), Beyond Organic: The Visions of Fairview Gardens (2000), Ginevra’s Story (2001) and The Cutting Tradition (2009). Addtionally, background information, images and shopping links for many other productions have been updated. Many thanks to Alvaro, who has contributed many of these rare finds.

“A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle For a Living Planet” is the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement – grassroots and global activism spanning fifty years from conservation to climate change. Narrated by Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Isabel Allende, Ashley Judd and Van Jones, the film tells vivid stories about people fighting – and succeeding – against enormous odds.

A Fierce Green Fire can educate and inspire new generations; energize activists; give purpose to the movement; even shape its identity going forward. We’re committed to spending two years working with groups large and small – not just doing screenings and sales to their members and partners, but using the film as a tool for campaigning around an array of issues. Already we are discussing plans with Lois Gibbs’ CHEJ; the Sierra Club and its chapters; NRDC; 350.org; the National Wildlife Federation, which reaches into the heartland; local groups fighting fracking in Pennsylvania and New York; Eradicating Ecocide, a campaign to make environmental damage an international crime; Waterkeeper Alliance and International Rivers; Greenpeace and Oregon Wild; Occupy groups and Imazon in Brazil; food and water activists… the list goes on.

Indian Country has recently interviewed actress and Blackfeet native Misty Upham. The darkly comedic play August: Osage County premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre in 2007. It went on to Broadway, where it had 648 performances and won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Since then it’s toured across the U.S. and around the world. One of the play’s key roles is Johnna Monevata, a Cheyenne woman whom the Weston family hires as a live-in housekeeper. Johnna is the witness as the sharp-tongued matriarch lashes out at family members, in-laws and hangers-on. It’s scheduled to be released in 2013. What was it like working with stars such as Streep, Roberts and McGregor?

Nothing less than amazing! It was strange to be running lines with Ewan. I remember thinking, “I am running lines with Obi-wan!” Surreal. But once you get past being starstruck and see how they approach work then it becomes less scary. They’re actors like myself. And wonderful people. I took any chance I could to watch Meryl live. When she worked, everyone watched with awe. Even the props department. It was inspiring to see such respect for a true icon of our age. Amazing.

Did you have any funny or nice moments with your co-stars?

Tons. Watched news coverage of Hurricane Sandy with everyone at Meryl’s one night. She was pointing out her apartment on the screen. Ewan would sing to amuse us in the morning while we got our hair and make-up done. That was pretty sweet. And trying to talk George Clooney into trying the amazing crabcakes at Sterlings was fun. He wouldn’t budge.

Congratulations to Meryl for receiving a Golden Globe nomination as Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for “Hope Springs”. She shares the category with Emily Blunt (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen), Judi Dench (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) and Maggie Smith (Quartest). Streep’s nomination remains the only one for the film. This is Meryl Streep’s 27th nomination for a Golden Globe and the eighth in the comedy category. The Golden Globes will be handed out during a live ceremony on January 13, 2013.

Make sure to get your DVD, Blu-Ray or on demand copy of “Hope Springs”, out in the USA on December 04. The DVD, in various formats, offers director commentary, a five-minute gag reel, a four-minute featurette with Streep and Jones talking marriage, and 17 minutes of alternate takes. The Blu-ray offers four additional featurettes. Over 1.000 Blu-Ray screencaptures from the film have been added to the image library, with many thanks to my friend Lindsey, who got her pre-order a day early. Enjoy the screencaptures.

With the Golden Globe nominations being announced next week, both Meryl and Tommy Lee are favors to receive nominations in the categories for Comedy actor and actress, respectively. The film has received generally positive reviews upon its release, the New York Times wrote, that “Mr. Jones and Ms. Streep keep the therapy scenes lively, despite Mr. Frankel’s stolid direction, as he cuts between Dr. Feld, murmuring thoughtful, Oprah-eseque banalities from his chair, and Kay and Arnold, plopped side by side and sometimes squirming and mugging on the couch. Mr. Frankel has a tougher time once Kay and Arnold, who travel to Maine to work with Dr. Feld, retreat into their separate corners.”

To further heighten your mood for the film and its special features, Entertainment Tonight has published a compliation video clip from the disc’s gag reel on their website. In the bloopers, an excerpt of one and a half minutes, you can catch Tommy Lee Jones proclaiming that “Meryl Streep does not make mistakes – sometimes the world can not just keep up.” and Meryl herself failing to strike the garbage can. More features can be found on the DVD, with additional featurettes on the Blu-Ray disc.