The Roundtable is on the carpet and inside the room for opening night of Fear of 13! Our correspondent Adrienne Garzillo is bringing you straight into the energy of the night with interviews from an incredible lineup including Adrien Brody, Tessa Thompson, and Ephraim Sykes, alongside the full powerhouse cast.
Lilli Cooper
Cooper is the daughter of actor Chuck Cooper and Tisa Farley. Her grandfather acted at the Karamu House in Cleveland.
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BIO
Cooper is the daughter of actor Chuck Cooper and Tisa Farley. Her grandfather acted at the Karamu House in Cleveland. She attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and Vassar College, graduating from the latter in 2012.
She is an acclaimed stage and screen performer known for her dynamic range across Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring productions, and television. She first gained recognition in 2006 originating the role of Martha Bessell in Spring Awakening at Atlantic Theater Company before transferring with the production to Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre, where she appeared through 2008.
Her early career also included a turn as Lucy Brown in The Threepenny Opera at Atlantic Theater Company, as well as multiple engagements with Wicked, where she served as an Elphaba understudy and standby on the Munchkinland national tour, the Australian tour at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, and later on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre from 2014 to 2015.
She went on to create and inhabit a wide variety of roles in both classic and contemporary works. She portrayed Hélène Kuragina in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 at American Repertory Theater (2015–2016), originated the role of Sandy Cheeks in The SpongeBob Musical in Chicago before reprising it on Broadway in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical (2017–2018), and appeared Off-Broadway in Tick, Tick... Boom! as Susan and Sundown, Yellow Moon as Ray.
Her subsequent Broadway credits include Tootsie (2019–2020) as Julie Nichols at the Marquis Theatre, Spring Awakening (2021) in a return to the role of Martha Bessell at the Imperial Theatre, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive (2022) as Chris, and The Cottage (2023) as Marjorie. She has also been a frequent collaborator with New York City Center Encores!, appearing in Mack and Mabel (2020) as Lottie Ames, Oliver! (2023) as Nancy, and Titanic (2024) as Kate Murphey. Additional stage work includes Tootsie in Chicago, Edge of the World Off-Broadway, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2025–2026) as Rona Lisa Peretti at New World Stages.
On screen, she is known for her television work as Doc in the revival series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (2022–2024) and as the voice of Velvette in the animated series Hazbin Hotel (2024–present).
In 2024, she served as the voice of the character Velvette in Hazbin Hotel.
Cooper lives in New York City with her husband Paul. Their first child, a son named Bodie, was born in September 2021. Their second child, a son named Desi, was born in April 2024.
Photos
Aaron Glick, Timothy Bloom, Danny Mefford, Leana Rae Concepcion, Autumn Best, Matt Manuel, Kevin McHale, Lilli Cooper, Justin Cooley, Philippe Arroyo, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Jason Kravits, Barbara Whitman
Date:
11/16/2025
From: Photos: The Cast Of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Celebrates Opening Night
Jason Kravits, Cecilia Snow, Kevin McHale, Autumn Best, Justin Cooley, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Philippe Arroyo, Leana Rae Concepcion, Jahbril Cook, Lilli Cooper, Matt Manuel, Emily Nicole Rudolph, Brandon L. Armstrong
Date:
10/28/2025
From: Photos: Meet the Cast of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Off-Broadway
STAGE CREDITS
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Chris
[Off-Broadway]
Women's Project Theater and Ars Nova Original Off-Broadway Production, 2017
Performer
See how Lilli Cooper connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Lilli Cooper from another Broadway star or creative.
Lilli Cooper
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2026 - Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical
Lilli Cooper, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Lilli Cooper, Tootsie
Videos
Video: Inside Broadway in Bryant Park With WICKED, TITANIQUE & More
by Michael Major - 2026-07-30 15:07:17
Video: Watch the First Trailer for THE DEBUT Starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-06-23 09:06:39
Video: Scripps National Spelling Bee Winner Makes Guest Appearance in SPELLING BEE Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - 2026-06-02 09:47:01
Video: Amber Riley Joins GLEE Co-Star Kevin McHale in SPELLING BEE
by Michael Major - 2026-03-12 11:44:25
Video: THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS Debuts New Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-13 11:48:56
Video: Jessica Vosk and Alex Brightman Perform 'Gravity' From HAZBIN HOTEL in New BTS Video
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-11 17:43:54
Video: In Rehearsals with the Cast of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
by Joey Mervis - 2025-11-01 12:00:20
Video: Watch the HAZBIN HOTEL Season 2 Trailer Featuring New Musical Numbers
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-01 12:42:32
Video: Sarah Jessica Parker and Jonathan Groff Host New 42 Studios Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-09-09 15:37:10
Video: THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS Teaser Trailer
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-09 13:02:44
Exclusive: Frankie Grande and GLAAD Gather Broadway's Best to Celebrate #SpiritDay 2024
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-10-31 12:00:40
Video: Stars Walk the Opening Night Red Carpet for THE NOTEBOOK
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-03-28 13:14:59
Interview: Keith David and Blake Roman on Going From Stage to the HAZBIN HOTEL
by Michael Major - 2024-01-30 13:04:46
News
Photos: Inside Rehearsals for SPRING AWAKENING Off-Broadway; Complete Cast Set
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 19, 2026
The complete cast has been revealed for Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Tony Award- and Olivier Award-winning musical, Spring Awakening. Get a first look at photos of rehearsals!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 19, 2026
The complete cast has been revealed for Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's Tony Award- and Olivier Award-winning musical, Spring Awakening. Get a first look at photos of rehearsals!
Video: Lilli Cooper Performs SPRING AWAKENING at Healthy Minds Gala as Partnership Continues
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 13, 2026
Watch Lilli Cooper's performance of “Don't Do Sadness” at the Project Healthy Minds Gala and learn more about Spring Awakening's ongoing partnership with Project Healthy Minds.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 13, 2026
Watch Lilli Cooper's performance of “Don't Do Sadness” at the Project Healthy Minds Gala and learn more about Spring Awakening's ongoing partnership with Project Healthy Minds.
Photos: Shoshana Bean, Lilli Cooper and More at Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2026
Project Healthy Minds hosted its fourth annual World Mental Health Day Gala in New York City, honoring Bill Lawrence with its Storyteller of the Year Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2026
Project Healthy Minds hosted its fourth annual World Mental Health Day Gala in New York City, honoring Bill Lawrence with its Storyteller of the Year Award
George Abud and Lilli Cooper Join SPRING AWAKENING Off-Broadway Cast
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2026
Emmy Award winner George Abud and Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper join the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical SPRING AWAKENING. Cooper returns to the production nearly two decades after originating a role in the original Broadway production.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2026
Emmy Award winner George Abud and Tony Award nominee Lilli Cooper join the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical SPRING AWAKENING. Cooper returns to the production nearly two decades after originating a role in the original Broadway production.
Photos: SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY Celebrates at Opening Night Party
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 5, 2026
Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos from the opening night party here!
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 5, 2026
Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play opened on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos from the opening night party here!
Cinco Paul Receives ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2026
The ASCAP Foundation honored Cinco Paul, creator of the Tony-winning musical SCHMIGADOON, with the Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award for his significant contributions to American musical theater.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2026
The ASCAP Foundation honored Cinco Paul, creator of the Tony-winning musical SCHMIGADOON, with the Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award for his significant contributions to American musical theater.
Exclusive: Celebrities at FanX Expressed Their Love of Theatre
by Tyler Hinton - Oct 1, 2026
Many celebrities expressed their love of theatre at this year’s FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, held September 24-26, 2026! Featuring exclusive interviews with Christian Borle and Zachary Levi.
by Tyler Hinton - Oct 1, 2026
Many celebrities expressed their love of theatre at this year’s FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, held September 24-26, 2026! Featuring exclusive interviews with Christian Borle and Zachary Levi.
Jesse Eisenberg Reveals How Musical Theatre 'Saved His Life'
by Michael Major - Sep 28, 2026
Jesse Eisenberg is opening up about how his early love of musical theatre 'saved his life.' Dating back to his childhood, he credits playing 'orphan child #7' in a hybrid production of Annie and Oliver! as helping him find belonging.
by Michael Major - Sep 28, 2026
Jesse Eisenberg is opening up about how his early love of musical theatre 'saved his life.' Dating back to his childhood, he credits playing 'orphan child #7' in a hybrid production of Annie and Oliver! as helping him find belonging.
J. Harrison Ghee, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Joshua Henry and More Join New 42 Artist Council
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2026
New 42 has added J. Harrison Ghee, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Joshua Henry, and more to its Artist Council, a group of professional artists who serve as ambassadors.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2026
New 42 has added J. Harrison Ghee, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Joshua Henry, and more to its Artist Council, a group of professional artists who serve as ambassadors.
Photos: SPRING AWAKENING Original Cast Members Reunite at MUSIC CITY
by Bruce Glikas - Sep 17, 2026
Spring Awakening cast members reunited at Music City, including Kathryn Gallagher, Krysta Rodriguez, Lauren “Lolo” Pritchard, Phoebe Strole, Lilli Cooper and Stephen Michael Spencer. See photos from the reunion.
by Bruce Glikas - Sep 17, 2026
Spring Awakening cast members reunited at Music City, including Kathryn Gallagher, Krysta Rodriguez, Lauren “Lolo” Pritchard, Phoebe Strole, Lilli Cooper and Stephen Michael Spencer. See photos from the reunion.
Patti LuPone, Shoshana Bean and More Join A CELEBRATION OF RODGERS & HART
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026
Additional performers join the all-star lineup for the one-night-only concert at Carnegie Hall celebrating the legendary songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, including Patti LuPone, Shoshana Bean and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026
Additional performers join the all-star lineup for the one-night-only concert at Carnegie Hall celebrating the legendary songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, including Patti LuPone, Shoshana Bean and more.
Listen: THIS AIN’T NO DISCO Featuring Lena Hall and More Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2026
This Ain’t No Disco: World Premiere Recording – Songs from the Musical by Stephen Trask and Peter Yanowitz is out now in digital and streaming formats.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2026
This Ain’t No Disco: World Premiere Recording – Songs from the Musical by Stephen Trask and Peter Yanowitz is out now in digital and streaming formats.
Exclusive: First Listen to Lena Hall Singing 'Lay Your Head' From THIS AIN’T NO DISCO
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 20, 2026
BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to Lena Hall singing Lay Your Head from This Ain’t No Disco: World Premiere Recording – Songs from the Musical.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 20, 2026
BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to Lena Hall singing Lay Your Head from This Ain’t No Disco: World Premiere Recording – Songs from the Musical.
Darren Criss, Elizabeth Gillies, Lizzy McAlpine and More Set for A CELEBRATION OF RODGERS & HART
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 19, 2026
“A Celebration of Rodgers & Hart” presented at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall will include performances by Darren Criss, Elizabeth Gillies, Lizzy McAlpine and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 19, 2026
“A Celebration of Rodgers & Hart” presented at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall will include performances by Darren Criss, Elizabeth Gillies, Lizzy McAlpine and more.
John Cameron Mitchell, Lena Hall and More to be Featured on THIS AIN’T NO DISCO Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 18, 2026
Center Stage Records will release This Ain’t No Disco: World Premiere Recording – Songs from the Musical by Stephen Trask and Peter Yanowitz in digital and streaming formats.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 18, 2026
Center Stage Records will release This Ain’t No Disco: World Premiere Recording – Songs from the Musical by Stephen Trask and Peter Yanowitz in digital and streaming formats.
Jesse Eisenberg's THE DEBUT Will Make U.K. Premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 4, 2026
Jesse Eisenberg's new theater-themed film, The Debut, will close the 70th BFI London Film Festival in October. Learn more about the film and its UK premiere here.
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 4, 2026
Jesse Eisenberg's new theater-themed film, The Debut, will close the 70th BFI London Film Festival in October. Learn more about the film and its UK premiere here.
Exclusive: Janet Krupin Developing Original Musical CHEMICAL DRIVE Into a Film
by Michael Gioia - Aug 2, 2026
Janet Krupin, an original cast member of Broadway's 'Bring It On: The Musical,' is developing her queer musical thriller 'Chemical Drive' into a film, BroadwayWorld has exclusively learned.
by Michael Gioia - Aug 2, 2026
Janet Krupin, an original cast member of Broadway's 'Bring It On: The Musical,' is developing her queer musical thriller 'Chemical Drive' into a film, BroadwayWorld has exclusively learned.
Photos: WICKED, TITANÍQUE, CHICAGO & More Perform at Broadway in Bryant Park Week Two
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jul 30, 2026
Broadway in Bryant Park continued its 2026 season with performances from Wicked, Titaníque, Chicago, Six, Aladdin, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Check out photos from this week's event.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jul 30, 2026
Broadway in Bryant Park continued its 2026 season with performances from Wicked, Titaníque, Chicago, Six, Aladdin, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Check out photos from this week's event.
Video: Inside Broadway in Bryant Park With WICKED, TITANIQUE & More
by Michael Major - Jul 30, 2026
Step inside week two of Broadway in Bryant Park 2026! Watch videos of performances from Wicked, Titaníque, Chicago, Six, Aladdin, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
by Michael Major - Jul 30, 2026
Step inside week two of Broadway in Bryant Park 2026! Watch videos of performances from Wicked, Titaníque, Chicago, Six, Aladdin, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Lilli Cooper been in?
Lilli Cooper has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.
How many West End shows has Lilli Cooper been in?
Lilli Cooper has not appeared in the West End.
What awards has Lilli Cooper been nominated for?
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Tootsie.
Podcasts
Ep22 - Lilli Cooper - The Defiant Part
Lilli Cooper (POTUS, Tootsie, Spring Awakening) has always relied on defiance as a source of personal power - essential to her life as an artist, as someone who has often been the only black woman in the room, and now, as a mother, whose very presence as an actor who is visibly navigating motherhood at the same time is an act of defiance in itself.
103. Off-Broadway (Lilli Cooper & Veanne Cox)
The conversation gets real in the infamous Bard’s Diner with theater friends and Shakespearean Servers at divergent points in their careers. Starring Tony nominees Lilli Cooper (Tootsie) and Veanne Cox (Company). Hosted by Brad Forenza.
#19 - Lilli Cooper LIVE from BroadwayCon 2023: Being A Working Mom on Broadway
Tony Award Nominee Laura Bell Bundy (LEGALLY BLONDE) chats with THE COTTAGE co-star and fellow Tony Nominee Lilli Cooper (TOOTSIE, POTUS) about the causes that matter to her and what it's like to start a family while working on Broadway - LIVE from BroadwayCon 2023.
Ep 28 - Lilli Cooper & Ethan Slater: "I Did Not Say Murder"
Tony Nominee Lilli Cooper returns! And this time she’s joined by Tony Nominee Ethan Slater! Both starred in Spongebob Squarepants on Broadway, but did you know that these two went to college together! Lilli and Ethan not only perform together, but collaborate together as well!
Ep154 - Lilli Cooper - Tootsie, Spongebob Squarepants, Spring Awaking ... and motherhood!
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.
Episode 280: Lilli Cooper and Ethan Slater get Broadwaysted!
"It was a show that was surprising because it led with creativity and it led with hope and it led with sort of love in this weird way." Play along as Lilli Cooper (@lilcoopz - Spongebob, Tootsie, Wicked) and Ethan Slater (@EthanSlater - Spongebob, Fosse/Verdon) join Bryan, Kevin, and Kimberly for a bloody mary, broadway talk, theatre games, bad puns, and tequila.
Ep 4 - Lilli Cooper: "I Just Want To Say on Record: Go Fuck Yourself Jonathan Groff"
Ladies and gentleman! Lilli F***ing Cooper is in the house! HOW EXCITING! Sure, it’s a thrill because she’s a Tony nominee for her work in Tootsie the musical on Broadway, but did you know that she loves Dexter’s Laboratory? I’m excited AF she’s here!
Ep32 - Lilli Cooper - Unstoppable
Broadway Star, Lilli Cooper breaks down her time starring in Spring Awakening while attending high school in this week’s episode of LITTLE ME!
Ep75 - SPOTLIGHT: Red Pilling America with Chuck & Lilli Cooper (Part 2)
Chuck and Lili Cooper are father and daughter Broadway Icons. Here they join Ciara Renee and me to continue our conversation inspired by my debut feature RED PILL on the “redpilling” of America.
Ep74 - SPOTLIGHT: Red Pilling America with Chuck & Lilli Cooper (Part 1)
Chuck and Lili Cooper are father and daughter Broadway Icons. Here they join Ciara Renee and me to continue our conversation inspired by my debut feature RED PILL on the “redpilling” of America.
#5 - Lilli Cooper: Chuck Cooper’s daughter is pretty fun!
I’ve interviewed a lot of Tony losers, and Lili Cooper just joined the club! She’s been on broadway since she was in diapers, and somehow hasn’t had a mental breakdown. Life is long. Could still happen... Follow me on IG: @greetingsitspeggy & @morganajames.
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