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Lillias White

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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BIO

Lillias White is a Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner for her performance in The Life. She has appeared on Broadway in Barnum, Dreamgirls, Cats, Carrie, Once on this Island, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Fela! (Tony Award nomination) and most recently in Chicago in the Fall of 2021 as Matron “Mama” Morton having first appeared in the Broadway production in 2006. Other Off-Broadway and Regional credits include the musical Black No More in Winter 2022, the Public Theater’s Romance in Hard Times for which she won the Obie Award, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (directed by Phylicia Rashad) for which she won the NAACP Award, and the Carnegie Hall Concert version of South Pacific which was also broadcast on PBS’ “Great Performances.” She received the Daytime Emmy Award for her role as Lillian Edwards in “Sesame Street” and is beloved by audiences for voicing the lead muse Calliope in Disney’s animated feature Hercules. Her most recent television appearances include the Baz Luhrmann-directed Netflix series “The Get Down,” as well as “Russian Doll” and “Search Party.” She has appeared in cabarets and concert halls around the world. Her first solo studio album Get Yourself Some Happy! is available now at lilliaswhite.com and on all streaming platforms.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Production, 2022


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Hermes [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
East Coast Premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse, 2018
Bea


[Chicago]
Chicago Pre-Broadway Production, 2015


[Off-Broadway]
Primary Stages Production, 0
Performer


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Funmilayo


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
Performer [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Concert, 2005
Bloody Mary


[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2005
Missy


[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Other Roles

Performer

Other Roles

Performer

[Los Angeles]
World Premiere, 2003
Featured Performer


[Off-Broadway]
2002
Velma


[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Fanny Brice


[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 2002
Special Guest


[Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
Effie Melody White


[Off-Broadway]
1998
Dinah Washington [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Sonja


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Matron “Mama” Morton [Replacement]

Matron "Mama" Morton [Replacement]

Matron “Mama” Morton [Replacement]

Matron "Mama" Morton [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1995
Miss Jones


[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1990
Asaka [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Showcase, 1990
Sonja




[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1989
Hennie


Performer

Hennie


Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Miss Gardner (Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe)

(St. Louis, MO (Regional))

(Standby)

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1987
Effie Melody White


[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1986
Performer


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Grizabella [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Effie Melody White (Understudy) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Joice Heth [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Regional (US)]
Regional Revival, 1988
Performer


Movies

Me and Him
[ 1988 ] Dancing Secretary
Bleeding Hearts
[ 1994 ] Neighbor Woman
North
[ 1994 ] Operator
Hercules
[ 1997 ] Calliope
Anastasia
[ 1997 ] Ensemble and Character Vocals
Gloria
[ 1999 ] Transit Cop #1
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
[ 2000 ] Shopper
Interview with the Assassin
[ 2002 ] Nurse
Pieces of April
[ 2003 ] Evette
Game 6
[ 2005 ] Toyota Moseby
Then She Found Me
[ 2007 ] Sheila
Nasty Baby
[ 2015 ] Cecilia
The Chaperone
[ 2018 ] Singer
Melinda
[ 2018 ] Madam Magda
The Drummer
[ 2020 ] Roberta

TV Shows

Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake
Lillian
Sesame Street
[ 1990-1994 ] Lillian, Singer, Rhonda
NYPD Blue
Lila Edmonds
Law & Order
[ 1990-1996 ] Susan Monroe, Ms. Purvis, Streetwalker
Hercules
Calliope
Pryor Offenses
Grandma Irene
The Jury
Teresa Scott
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Xavier
Gotham
Choir Member
Person of Interest
Hon. R. Reginald
The Get Down
[ 2016-2017 ] Fat Annie
Search Party
Wilma
Russian Doll
[ 2019-2022 ] Dr. Zaveri
Grotesquerie
Glorious McKall

Awards and Nominations

The Lortels - 2015 - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical

Lillias WhiteTexas in Paris

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Lillias White, Fela!


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical

Lillias White, The Life


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1997 - Best Featured Actress - Musical

Lillias White The Life


winner
Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Lillias White, The Life


winner
Obie Awards - 1990 - Performance

Lillias White, Romance in Hard Times

Videos

News


The Iconic Rock Musical HAIR Shines Anew in a Grand Brazilian Revival
by Claudio Erlichman - Nov 13, 2025

The iconic rock musical Hair is back in a bold new Brazilian production directed by Charles Möeller and Claudio Botelho. Opening at São Paulo’s BTG Pactual Hall, the show celebrates the spirit of the 1960s counterculture — peace, love, and rebellion — through powerful anthems like Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In. With a cast of 30 led by Rodrigo Simas and Eduardo Borelli, this vibrant staging fuses rock, poetry, and raw emotion to explore freedom, identity, and protest in a turbulent era. Nearly six decades after its debut, Hair still pulses with youthful defiance and idealism, inviting audiences to sing, reflect, and feel the rhythm of a revolution that never truly ended.
See David Yazbek and More Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 7, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including David Yazbek, Mary Porter, Maggie Solimine and more.
Video: Go Inside Black Theatre United's 2025 Gala, United:  Today & Beyond
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 28, 2025

Just last month, Black Theatre United celebrated its third annual Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. This year’s theme was “United: Today & Beyond”. Check out video highlight from the big night here!
Jason Alexander, Christine Ebersole, And Michael Urie To Lead New Script-in-Hand Series At Palm Springs’ Plaza Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 28, 2025

Palm Springs’ Plaza Theatre will debut rePLAY, a new benefit series featuring all-star casts in comedies directed by Susan Stroman, Philip Wm. McKinley, and David Zippel. Find out how to get tickets and all the details.
Cabaret Roundup: October 13-19- Lillias White, Christine Andreas & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 13, 2025

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week
Photos: American Songbook Association's ON THE WHEELS OF A DREAM Gala at Kaufman Music Center
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 12, 2025

The ASA's fifth annual gala honored the multi-award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (RAGTIME). See photos from the 10/6 evening snapped by photographer Conor Weiss.
LEA SALONGA & More Lead New York's Fall 2025 Top Cabaret Shows
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 6, 2025

Check out our top cabaret shows for Fall 2025 in NYC from Lea Salonga (star of MULAN, ALADDIN) to a concert reading of William Finn's final work and more.
Cabaret Roundup: October 6-12- Josh Groban, Rita Rudner, Jeff Harnar & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 6, 2025

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week
The Green Room 42 Present THE ROCK MUSICAL SOUL SEARCHING in Concert
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 4, 2025

The Green Room 42 presents SOUL SEARCHING in concert on October 22 at 7 PM (YOTEL, 579 10th Ave). The rock musical features nearly 20 songs, a live band, and a Broadway-caliber cast.
Susan Stroman To Honor Lynn Ahrens And Stephen Flaherty At American Songbook Association Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 3, 2025

Broadway stars including Lillias White, Kate Baldwin, Nikki Renée Daniels, Elizabeth Stanley, and Derek Klena will perform at the American Songbook Association’s gala on October 6, 2025, at Merkin Hall. Susan Stroman will present an award to songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
Photos: Inside the Black Theatre United Gala 2025 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom
by Stephen Sorokoff - Oct 1, 2025

See photos from inside the Black Theatre United 2025 Gala. The evening was directed by (for the third year) by Jerry Dixon with musical direction by Joseph Joubert. 
IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU Opens Good Theater's 22nd Main Stage Season
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2025

​​​​​​​Good Theater will open its 22nd Main Stage season with the Broadway musical comedy It Shoulda Been You. The production is the company's first Main Stage show in its new home at Stevens Square Theater.
Lillias White and Alton Fitzgerald White to Join American Songbook Association Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2025

Tony Award winner Lillias White and Broadway star Alton Fitzgerald White have joined the lineup for American Songbook Association's fifth annual gala “Ahrens and Flaherty: On the Wheels of a Dream”. Learn more!
Angela Grovey Joins CHICAGO as 'Matron Mama Morton' Next Week
by Stephi Wild - Sep 9, 2025

Chicago will welcome Angela Grovey as “Matron Mama Morton” next week. Grovey will begin performances on Monday, September 15 at the Ambassador Theatre.  
TikTok's Paloma Diamond and More Set for 54 Below Lineup Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 5, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including TikTok's Paloma Diamond, and more. See the full lineup here!
Good Theater Launches Inaugural New York Cabaret Series With Lillias White
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

Good Theater will launch its inaugural New York Cabaret Series with Broadway legend Lillias White. White will perform three exclusive concerts, September 12–14, 2025.
Marieann Meringolo Brings A CENTURY OF SONG to 54 Below
by Emmy Rice - Aug 30, 2025

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present Marieann Meringolo in “A Century of Song - Celebrating Alan & Marilyn Bergman” on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 7pm.
TikTok's Paloma Diamond and More Set for 54 Below September Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 29, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Paloma Diamond, Chester Gregory, and many more! See the full lineup here.
GREAT BIG STUFF: A TRIBUTE TO DAVID YAZBEK to Play at Green Room 42
by Emmy Rice - Aug 23, 2025

Great Big Stuff: A Tribue to David Yazbek is coming to the Green Room 42. The performance will take place at Sunday, August 31 at 9:30 PM. See here for more details!
Shoshana Bean, Kecia Lewis, Billy Porter and More to Join Black Theatre United Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 18, 2025

Black Theatre United has revealed its lineup of performers and honorary co-chairs for its third annual Gala. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Lillias White been in?

Lillias White has appeared on Broadway in 16 shows.

How many West End shows has Lillias White been in?

Lillias White has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Lillias White been nominated for?

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (The Lortels) for Texas in Paris, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Fela!, Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Life, Best Featured Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Life , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Life and Performance (Obie Awards) for Romance in Hard Times.

What awards has Lillias White won?

Lillias White has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for The Life, Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Life, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Life. Additionally, she received the Obie Award for Performance for Romance in Hard Times.

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Videos