Lillias White Headshot

Lillias White

Date of Birth: July 21, 1951 (71)

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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Lillias White 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.

Lillias White Photos

Lillias White STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Production, 2022

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

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

[Chicago]
Chicago Pre-Broadway Production, 2015
Bea

[Off-Broadway]
Primary Stages Production, 0
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Funmilayo

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

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

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2005
Missy

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
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]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Sonja

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

Matron "Mama" Morton [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1995
Miss Jones

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1990
Asaka [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Showcase, 1990
Sonja

Sonja

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

Performer

Hennie

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Miss Gardner (Standby)

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

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1986
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Performer

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

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

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

[Regional (US)]
Regional Revival, 1988
Performer


Lillias White Movies

[1988]Me and Him Dancing Secretary

[1994]Bleeding Hearts Neighbor Woman

[1994]North Operator

[1997]Hercules Calliope

[1997]Anastasia Ensemble and Character Vocals

[1999]Gloria Transit Cop #1

[2000]How the Grinch Stole Christmas Shopper

[2002]Interview with the Assassin Nurse

[2003]Pieces of April Evette

[2005]Game 6 Toyota Moseby

[2007]Then She Found Me Sheila

[2015]Nasty Baby Cecilia

[2018]The Chaperone Singer

[2018]Melinda Madam Magda

[2020]The Drummer Roberta


Lillias White TV Shows

Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake Lillian

[ 1990-1994]Sesame Street Lillian, Singer, Rhonda

NYPD Blue Lila Edmonds

[ 1990-1996]Law & Order 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

[ 2016-2017]The Get Down Fat Annie

Search Party Wilma

[ 2019-2022]Russian Doll Dr. Zaveri

Lillias White Videos

Lillias White News

Marcus Perkins Bejarano and Kim Jinhyoung Present BRAINWASHED! at The Green Room 42

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present BRAINWASHED!, a selection of songs by Marcus Perkins Bejarano and Kim Jinhyoung, on Sunday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Video: Watch Lillias White Talk HADESTOWN and Four-Decade Career on CBS SUNDAY MORNING

Watch Lillias White talk to Mo Rocca of CBS Sunday Morning about performing in Hadestown, her role models while growing up in Brooklyn, and more!

Marilyn Maye, Rashad McPherson, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 

Photos: Rachel Zegler Visits HADESTOWN on Broadway

Check out photos of Rachel Zegler visiting Hadestown on Broadway!

Clint Holmes to Kick Off 54 Below Pride Programming with Peter Allen Tribute

54 BELOW will welcome back Clint Holmes in an encore run of his solo show Between the Moon and New York City – The Songs of Peter Allen from June 1 – 4 at 7:00pm.

Liz McCartney to Present ONE FINE DAY at The Green Room 42 in June and July

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Liz McCartney, the celebrated stage veteran currently appearing in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, for two performances on Sunday, June 25 at 9:30 PM and Sunday, July 2 at 7:00 PM.

Upcoming Performances to Celebrate Pride at 54 Below

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards® Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, has announced special programming throughout the month of June. From Clint Holmes’ dazzling tribute to Peter Allen to the return engagement of Jenn Colella’s sold out show to Rebecca Clark’s uncanny Barbra Streisand concert, the PRIDE month events will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

Photos: Go Inside Amas Musical Theatre's Annual Gala Benefit Concert Honoring Sheryl Lee Ralph

A starry line-up of talent was hand to celebrate Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City’s award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Theatre 555. Check out the photos here!

MOSTLY BROADWAY - An Evening with David Burnham is Coming to Rubicon Theatre This Summer

Rubicon Theatre of Ventura will present the third event in the company’s Summer Concert series on Saturday, June 3 at 7 p.m. – “MOSTLY BROADWAY: AN EVENING WITH DAVID BURNHAM.”

Lady Bunny's DON'T BRING THE KIDS Extended at The Green Room 42

THE GREEN ROOM 42 has announced that the Lady Bunny show “Don’t Bring the Kids,” an hour of jokes and demented song parodies from the New York drag legend, has extended its run due to popular demand.

Janine LaManna to Make New York Solo Concert Debut With BLACK & GOLD at The Green Room 42

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present the New York solo concert debut of beloved Broadway veteran Janine LaManna in “Black & Gold” for two shows on Saturday, June 10 and Monday, June 26, both at 7:00 PM.

Company Members From NEW YORK, NEW YORK, HAMILTON & More to Join AT THIS PERFORMANCE at The Green Room 42

Stephen DeAngelis is continuing his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with the next edition in his monthly residency of AT THIS PERFORMANCE…™ to be held on Monday, May 22nd at The Green Room 42.

Listen: Billy Recce Releases New Single 'Come Out'

BILLY RECCE has released his effervescent new single “Come Out” on all digital and streaming platforms. Listen now!

Flotilla DeBarge to Present A BIG HUNK OF GHETTO at The Green Room 42 in June

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present NYC drag royalty Flotilla DeBarge in the special Pride evening “A Big Hunk of Ghetto” on Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 PM.

10 Videos Showcasing the Cast of THE ASA HONORS LILLIAS WHITE at Chelsea Table + Stage

This year, that recipient is the Tony Award winner Lillias White, who will be honored on May 22nd in a glitzy gala filled with show business greats.

National Asian Artists Project To Hold 2023 Gala Benefit in Chinatown in June

 National Asian Artists Project will hold its 2023 Gala Benefit on Friday, June 2nd at The Golden Unicorn. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Drew Droege and Mitch Silpa's IT'S MITCH AND DREW… AND WE'VE NEVER FELT YOUNGER is Coming to The Green Room 42

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present comedy favorites Drew Droege and Mitch Silpa in “It’s Mitch & Drew… and We’ve Never Felt Younger!” on Sunday, June 18 at 7:00 PM.

Lillias White To Be Honored By The ASA In Gala at Chelsea Table + Stage On May 22nd

Tony Award winner Lillias White has been chosen by the American Songbook Association to receive the second annual Darrell Henline Award during a star-studded gala to occur at Chelsea Table + Stage on May 22nd at 7 pm

Billy Recce to Release New Single 'Come Out' This Month

BILLY RECCE – the Billboard-charting and two-time MAC Award-winning songwriter behind the musicals A Musical About Star Wars and the Broadway-bound Little Black Book– will release his effervescent new single “Come Out” on all digital and streaming platforms on Friday, May 12.

Photos: On the Red Carpet at the 2023 New York Pops Gala

The New York Pops, led by Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, held its 40th Birthday Gala, This One's For You: The Music of Barry Manilow, honoring the Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning icon, on Monday, May 1, 2023. Check out photos from the red carpet here!

Lillias White FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Lillias White has appeared on Broadway in 16 shows.

Lillias White has not appeared in the West End

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 .

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 Lifeand Performance (Obie Awards) for Romance in Hard Times.

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