Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Tony-Nominee Lilli Cooper Stops by The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

Cooper is best known to Broadway fans for her roles in Spring Awakening, The Spongebob Musical, and Tootsie.

Tony-Nominee Lilli Cooper Stops by The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

This week The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales: welcomes Tony- nominee Lilli Cooper.

A witch, a squirrel, and soon a mom, this actress opens up about climbing the ranks since she was a teenager, and shares the joys and challenges that have accompanied some of her most notable roles.

Lilli Cooper is an actress and singer who made her Broadway debut at age 16 in the original Broadway cast of Spring Awakening, originating the role of Martha Bessell, and recently earned a Tony Award nomination for her role in Tootsie on Broadway. Lilli's other stage credits include the Elphaba standby for the North American tour, Australian tour, and Broadway productions of Wicked, originating the role of Sandy Cheeks in the Broadway production of Spongebob Squarepants, and playing Hélène Kuragina in The American Repertory Theatre production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. She has numerous TV and film credits, including The Good Fight, Bull, Elementary, Instinct, The Post, Dynasty, and Indoor Boys. Coming up next, Lilli will debut a brand new solo show at 54 Below at the end of July.

Growing up in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood in midtown New York City, and with two actors for parents, Broadway and the arts were ingrained in Lilli and her brothers at a young age. When she was 15 and a student at LaGuardia High School, an agent took notice of Lilli and opened the door to her first professional audition and Broadway credit - Spring Awakening.

Lilli opens up about the triumphs and challenges of landing Spring Awakening while still in high school, pointing out that while she didn't really have a support system at school for being a working actor at that age, she luckily had that support at home with her family. She also reflects on the profound experience that was being in a musical about teenagers while being a teenager herself. Looking back on originating the role of Sandy Cheeks in Spongebob, Lilli tells us how she first heard about the project, and why it was such a magical process. And she also shares her feelings regarding her Tony Award nomination for her role in Tootsie, and why she struggles at the same time she celebrates.

Visit TheTheatrePodcast.com to listen to more episodes.



Related Stories
LISTEN: Rachel Bay Jones, Marja Harmon, Morgan Anita Wood and Jamie Greenberg Join LEADING Photo
Fitness expert Steph Wilberding and award-winning producer Katie Rosin, in association with the Broadway Podcast Network, have announced the new health and wellness podcast, Leading Lady Fitness Podcast.

Listen: LITTLE KNOWN FACTS with Ilana Levine & Alyssa Limperis Photo
Today's episode of Little Known Facts features comedian Alyssa Limperis. Alyssa first trained at UCB, and continues to do stand up all over the country. She has performed her solo show “No Bad Days”, in which she uses stand-up, sketches and even Zumba to look back on losing her father to brain cancer, at multiple festivals including Providence Fringe, Cinderblock and Improv Boston

Katrina Lenk, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Ashley Park, Betty Gilpin & More Stars Join MOTHERH Photo
With the pandemic last year shutting down Broadway and other live shows, fiction podcasts such as Motherhacker and Red Frontier provided opportunities for Broadway actors to continue performing and entertaining audiences, via an alternative medium. 

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS with Ilana Levine and REVOLUTION RENTs Andy Señor Jr. Photo
Today's episode features Andy Señor Jr., who just made his film directorial debut with the HBO Original Documentary Revolution Rent, Executive produced by Neil Patrick Harris. He was the Associate Director of Gloria and Emilio Estefan's musical On Your Feet! on Broadway, Netherlands, and UK West End Productions as well as Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway production of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. He served as Associate Director on the new musical FLY at Dallas Theatre Center w Jeffrey Seller.


More Hot Stories For You


Full Cast and Creative Team Set to Join Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges in BROKEBACK MOUNTAINFull Cast and Creative Team Set to Join Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
March 30, 2023

The full cast and creative team have been announced for world premiere of Brokeback Mountain, a new play with music, written by Ashley Robinson with songs by Dan Gillespie Sells, based on Annie Proulx's short story, and directed by Jonathan Butterell.

Wake Up With BWW 3/30: LIFE OF PI Opens, Plus a Message From Billy Porter!Wake Up With BWW 3/30: LIFE OF PI Opens, Plus a Message From Billy Porter!
March 30, 2023

Top stories: Life of Pi opens tonight on Broadway, read reviews for the tour of Into The Woods, plus watch a video message from Billy Porter in honor of BroadwayWorld's 20th anniversary!

Photos: Bobby Cannavale Pays A Visit To THE LION KING On BroadwayPhotos: Bobby Cannavale Pays A Visit To THE LION KING On Broadway
March 29, 2023

Acclaimed actor Bobby Cannavale attended The Lion King on Broadway Wednesday, March 29, 2023. See a photo from his visit as he checks in with stars L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa) and Tshidi Manye (Rafiki).

Nikki M. James, John-Andrew Morrison, Jackie Cox & More to Take Part in 37th MAC AwardsNikki M. James, John-Andrew Morrison, Jackie Cox & More to Take Part in 37th MAC Awards
March 29, 2023

Presenters and performers have been revealed for the 37th Annual MAC Awards! See who is taking part, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Rosé, Loren Allred, Jackie Cox & More to Join TITANIQUE's ALL ABOARD! BenefitRosé, Loren Allred, Jackie Cox & More to Join TITANIQUE's ALL ABOARD! Benefit
March 29, 2023

Tye Blue and Fiercely You Entertainment will present the one-night-only concert All Aboard!, a queer extravaganza. See who is taking part, and learn how to purchase tickets!