City Of Angels

When I started to watch the show, the old rabbi came on and I thought, "Onstage this part was played by a woman." I couldn't figure out who this terrific old guy was. Only at the end when the credits came on did I realize it was Meryl.

Streep: That's good.

Kirk: All the extras that day, the same thing. They knew Meryl was in the movie, and as she took off her costume, they were all buzzing.

Have you played a Jewish character like that before?

Streep: Oh, Nora Ephron [in "Heartburn"]. She was very high-church Jewish. [Laughter]

Nichols: You know, when it comes to Meryl's curtain call, where it shows all the characters she played, I wanted to throw in the black woman singing the gospel song. [Laughter] And then say, just kidding.