Meryl Streep’s stagger- ingly esteemed career continues with her latest transformative wonder

Meryl Streep’s stagger- ingly esteemed career continues with her latest transformative wonder — her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady” (in limited release this weekend). Here’s a look at five of her best performances:

v “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979): It’s a supporting role, one which earned her the first of her two Academy Awards, but she is completely in control of every scene in which she appears. She’s in the tricky position of playing someone we should hate from the start: a housewife who walks out on her workaholic husband and their young son.

vSophie’s Choice” (1982): The accent, the agony: This performance set the standard for Streep’s wholly convincing immersive abilities, and it earned her the Academy Award for best actress. As a beautiful Polish refugee with a haunting secret, Streep is both beguiling and heartbreaking.

vAdaptation.” (2002): What makes this performance so irresistible is that Streep isn’t so obviously “acting.” She lets loose, takes chances and genuinely seems to be enjoying herself. She’s smack in the middle of writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze’s giddy, trippy funhouse, playing writer Susan Orlean, whose book stumped the real-life Kaufman when it came time for him to turn it into a screenplay.

vThe Devil Wears Prada” (2006): Streep is just withering here. That monologue about the significance of the color cerulean alone makes this movie worth watching. But the entire performance is a delightful reminder that, when given the chance, she can be a master of biting comedy.

v“Mamma Mia!” (2008): While this ABBA-palooza can be cringe-inducing, Streep is just radiant. “Adaptation.” suggested what it looks like when she gets a little goofy, but here we finally get a chance to see her let loose entirely, and she’s clearly having a blast.

“work it” (8:30 P.M., ABC): “Work It” is a new sitcom about two desperate, unemployed men (Ben Koldyke and Amaury Nolasco) who dress up as women in order to get a job.

“jane by design” (9 p.m., abc family): “Jane By Design” is a new drama series about a quirky teen (Erica Dasher) with an eclectic chic fashion sense who lands a job at a hip design studio through a case of mistaken identity.

“CELEBRITY WIFE SWAP” (9 p.m., abc): We certainly don’t expect this potential train wreck to contain even a hint of redeeming value. But the very idea that disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard will trade significant others and house rules with freaky actor Gary Busey makes it just too kooky to resist. Other oddball swapping couples include Tracey Gold and Carnie Wilson, Flavor Flav and Dee Snider, and Niecey Nash and Tina Yothers.

TV listings: B6

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Dana music recital, luncheon at JCC

YOUNGSTOWN

The Dana School of Music will give a recital at noon Feb. 2 at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, featuring some of the school’s best musicians and groups. Lunch will be served. Tickets are $10 ($7 for members). Call 330-746-3251 for info.