Most intelligent broadway actor
Most intelligent broadway actor
#1Most 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".
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#2Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:26pmI 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,
#2Most 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..."
#3Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/12/12 at 7:41pmAngela Lansbury has always seemed very intelligent to me.
#4Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/12/12 at 8:50pmMarc Kudisch has always seemed incredibly smart to me, as has Donna Murphy.
ahhrealmonsters
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/11/10
#5Most 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.
#6Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/12/12 at 9:28pmI'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
random person 112
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
#7Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/12/12 at 9:55pmI 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.
SondheimFan5
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/10
#9Most 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
#10Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/12/12 at 10:26pmBKLYN!!!!
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
random person 112
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
#11Most 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.
BwayBaby18
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/19/05
#12Most 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.
#13Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/12/12 at 11:40pmKatie Finneran, Laura Linney and Lily Rabe always come across as pretty smart people.
#14Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:20amI 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.
sparrman
Broadway Star Joined: 2/21/07
#15Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/13/12 at 12:24amChenoweth earned an MFA in opera, but her doctorate is only honorary.
BroadwayFan12
Broadway Star Joined: 4/17/10
#17Most 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.
followspot
Broadway Star Joined: 12/27/11
#18Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/13/12 at 8:07amFor 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."
lupone76
Featured Actor Joined: 12/9/11
#19Most 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
#20Most 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.
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
ghostlight2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
#21Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/14/12 at 2:06pmDeborah Yates (the girl in the yellow dress) from Contact is a member of MENSA. She has only done one other Broadway show, though.
Miranda3
Featured Actor Joined: 8/20/11
#22Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 3/14/12 at 10:20pm
Alan Rickman.
Stockard Channing.
Rosemary Harris.
Jennifer Ehle (RH's daughter).
Emma White
Featured Actor Joined: 2/11/13
#23Most 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."
#24Most intelligent broadway actor
Posted: 2/24/13 at 9:23pmBebe 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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