Most intelligent broadway actor

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Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:20pm

(I hope this spawns parody threads, hopefully sexual in nature).

But. I think when we see actors in shows, because they are rehearsing memorised lines it can be difficult to know how intelligent they are. It is when they are put on the spot in interviews and through their non-rehearsed humour etc.. that we can somewhat gauge their intelligence I think.

For example, I get the impression from interviews etc. that Patti LuPone is quite intelligent and Bernadette Peters (who I adore) not quite as much.

Now, I know we could argue why does it matter or what is intelligence (and if you want to, feel free), but I am interested to know which actors "got it" and which actors "aint".

Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:26pm

I have heard Bebe Neuwirth is pretty smart. I've never gotten the vibe Patti was that smart. I mean certainly not dumb but not smart,

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:38pm

I've always felt that Peters knew what she was talking about. Never really got the feeling she wasn't all there haha

I think Raul Esparza is extremely smart along with Julia Murney.

"Life in theater is give and take...but you need to be ready to give more then you take..."

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:41pm

Angela Lansbury has always seemed very intelligent to me.

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 8:50pm

Marc Kudisch has always seemed incredibly smart to me, as has Donna Murphy.

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 8:56pm

I agree with Julia Murney. I've never met her, but I've seen her in rehearsals, and she seems very intelligent.

Bobby Steggert is also very smart.

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 9:28pm

I've found that the most capable actors are either highly intelligent or highly bat-sh!t crazy. Whatever gets a good show, i say.

"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 9:55pm

I know just as facts that Kristin Chenoweth graduated the top of her class in high school and has a doctorate (in opera.). Patti has stated that she never even passed her Algebra one class in high school.

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:06pm

Boyd Gaines

#10

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:24pm

Patti has stated that she never even passed her Algebra one class in high school.

I would think that she was either lazy, didn't have a mind for math, or both. I think she comes across as very insightful when she is interviewed and is very articulate. But I'm also biased.

But I second Marc Kudisch, especially after seeing him on Obsessed! with Seth Rudetsky.

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#11

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:26pm

BKLYN!!!!

"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."

#12

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:42pm

^Oh i'm not saying she's an idiot, on music and theater i doubt you could find anyone with more insight and intelligence, merely reporting the facts.

#13

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 11:08pm

The Donahues from "There's no Business Like Show Business"

Molly Donahue: [speaking of their children] I want them to have an education... a real education. They have to learn arithmetic and spelling and geography.

Terence Donahue: You never went past the sixth grade... and it was probably the fourth grade, because you said it was the sixth.

Molly Donahue: My age is the only thing I lie about, and I don't add on, I take off.

Terence Donahue: All right, the sixth grade, but there's nothing wrong with your arithmetic. You can whistle 'Mandy', do an 'Off to Buffalo', and count the house at the same time, and tell me within five cents how much is out there.

Molly Donahue: That's not arithmetic.

Terence Donahue: You're darn right that's not... that's higher mathematics.

#14

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/12/12 at 11:40pm

Katie Finneran, Laura Linney and Lily Rabe always come across as pretty smart people.

#15

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:20am

I know she can go off the rails sometimes but Alice Ripley can be very insightful. Tonya Pinkins, too.

I know you. I know you. I know you.

#16

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:24am

Chenoweth earned an MFA in opera, but her doctorate is only honorary.

#17

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/13/12 at 3:23am

Nathan Lane.

#18

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/13/12 at 5:31am

I've found that the most capable actors are either highly intelligent or highly bat-sh!t crazy.

Alice Ripley is both, IMO. As eccentric as she is, I've always admired her intelligence. She was the first person I thought of when I saw this thread.

#19

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/13/12 at 8:07am

For some reason the first person I thought of was Kevin Kline. Have nothing to back that thought up. Maybe he's hypnotized me.

"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."

#20

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/14/12 at 12:34pm

Patti does come across as very passionate and intelligent and articulate. Really surprised bout Chenoweth she gives off an air head vibe. Lin Manuel Miranda appears to be quite intelligent. Stephen Sondheim is not an actor but hes BRILLIANT!!!Bernadette doesnt seem to be too bright. She never really looks like she knows what shes saying. After meeting Bebe in person I can tell you shes not a rocket scientist. Harvey Fierstein is quite bright. Cynthia Nixon is extreemely intelligent without a doubt.

Updated On: 3/14/12 at 12:34 PM

#21

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/14/12 at 1:08pm

For some reason the first person I thought of was Kevin Kline. Have nothing to back that thought up. Maybe he's hypnotized me.

I think it's both, because every time I see him interviewed I think "you're an asshole but I would have sex with you anyway." He's very hypnotic.

#22

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/14/12 at 2:06pm

Deborah Yates (the girl in the yellow dress) from Contact is a member of MENSA. She has only done one other Broadway show, though.

#23

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 3/14/12 at 10:20pm

Alan Rickman.
Stockard Channing.
Rosemary Harris.
Jennifer Ehle (RH's daughter).

#24

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 2/24/13 at 9:14pm

Kristin Chenoweth has said herself she's not so smart.

Stephanie J. Block has always come off as very smart, as well as Julie Andrews (despite being a high school dropout).

Speaking of high school dropouts, Catherine Zeta-Jones doesn't seem so bright to me (I'm in love with her though).

In response to what people are saying about Bernadette, I personally think she's actually pretty bright. Her voice, her accent, and her lisp make her seem a little ditsy, but a few people I know who know her have said that she is very, very shy and doesn't really like giving interviews, so that might be it.

"Nice is different than good."

#25

Most intelligent broadway actor

Posted: 2/24/13 at 9:23pm

Bebe is brilliant. She went to Princeton High School.

CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.

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