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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

Black No More Black No More
[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Production, 2022
Hadestown Hadestown
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Hermes [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Half Time Half Time
[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
East Coast Premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse, 2018
Bea
Gotta Dance Gotta Dance
[Chicago]
Chicago Pre-Broadway Production, 2015
While I Yet Live While I Yet Live
[Off-Broadway]
Primary Stages Production, 0
Performer
Fela! Fela!
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Funmilayo
Love, Loss, and What I Wore Love, Loss, and What I Wore
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
Performer [Replacement]
[Replacement]
South Pacific
[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Concert, 2005
Bloody Mary
Purlie
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2005
Missy
Hair
[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Other Roles
Performer
Other Roles
Performer
Like Jazz
[Los Angeles]
World Premiere, 2003
Featured Performer
Crowns
[Off-Broadway]
2002
Velma
Funny Girl
[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Fanny Brice
Once On This Island
[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 2002
Special Guest
Dreamgirls
[Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
Effie Melody White
Dinah Was
[Off-Broadway]
1998
Dinah Washington [Replacement]
[Replacement]
The Life
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Sonja
Chicago Chicago
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Matron “Mama” Morton [Replacement]
Matron "Mama" Morton [Replacement]
Matron “Mama” Morton [Replacement]
Matron "Mama" Morton [Replacement]
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1995
Miss Jones
Once On This Island
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1990
Asaka [Replacement]
[Replacement]
The Life
[Off-Broadway]
Showcase, 1990
Sonja
Romance in Hard Times
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1989
Hennie
Performer
Hennie
Performer
Carrie
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Miss Gardner (Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe)
(St. Louis, MO (Regional))
(Standby)
Dreamgirls
[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1987
Effie Melody White
Queenie Pie
[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1986
Performer
Rock 'N' Roll! The First 5,000 Years
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Cats
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Grizabella [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Dreamgirls
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Effie Melody White (Understudy) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
Barnum
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Joice Heth [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Golden Boy
[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

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News


CRASHING OUT CABARET Comes to The Green Room 42 This Month Photo
CRASHING OUT CABARET Comes to The Green Room 42 This Month
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 8, 2025

The Green Room 42 will present Crashing Out on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 9:30pm EDT. Producers Alison Allwine and Julie Lucido have gathered their favorite support group from coast-to-coast, for one night only, to sing their way through life's ups and downs.
The Green Room 42 To Present SIDEKICK TURNS 6 Photo
The Green Room 42 To Present SIDEKICK TURNS 6
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 3, 2025

Part Eras Tour, Part 6-Year-Old's Birthday. The Sidekick Troupe is celebrating six years of parody and pastiche in this One Night Only concert event.
Lillias White Joins BROADWAY VOICES UNITE Benefit Concert Photo
Lillias White Joins BROADWAY VOICES UNITE Benefit Concert
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 17, 2025

Tony Award-winning performer Lillias White has joined the upcoming Broadway Voices Unite Benefit Concert, which will take place June 22 in Santa Monica, CA.
Feature: CABARET SCENES AND AMERICAN SONGBOOK ASSOCIATION CELEBRATE STEVE ROSS To Pla Photo
Feature: CABARET SCENES AND AMERICAN SONGBOOK ASSOCIATION CELEBRATE STEVE ROSS To Play The Green Room 42
by Stephen Mosher - Jun 16, 2025

On Saturday, June 21st, when the ASA, Cabaret Scenes, and Montgomery and Dain present Steve Ross with this year’s Darrell Henline Award, they will do so during a star-studded evening of entertainment.
Ava Locknar Will Bring MODERN BOMBSHELL to 54 Below Photo
Ava Locknar Will Bring MODERN BOMBSHELL to 54 Below
by Stephi Wild - Jun 16, 2025

Acclaimed singer and rising star Ava Locknar makes her 54 Below debut in Modern Bombshell, a dazzling evening celebrating the songs created for Broadway and Hollywood's biggest bombshells.
BROADWAY BOOMBOX From Stage and Stereo at Green Room 42 Photo
BROADWAY BOOMBOX From Stage and Stereo at Green Room 42
by Emmy Rice - Jun 7, 2025

Dynamic writing team Elspeth Collard & Sam Rosenblatt bring their newest show to The Green Room 42 on June 8, 2025, at 1pm. Broadway Boombox celebrates the best of both Broadway bops and pop hits alike.
Standbys, Understudies, Alternates from Broadway to Perform at The Green Room 42 Photo
Standbys, Understudies, Alternates from Broadway to Perform at The Green Room 42
by Emmy Rice - Jun 1, 2025

Stephen DeAngelis continues 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, June 23rd  at The Green Room 42.
Review: HALF TIME Closes Out Season at Theatre Three Photo
Review: HALF TIME Closes Out Season at Theatre Three
by Nicholas Pontolillo - Jun 1, 2025

In 2006, the New Jersey Nets, now Brooklyn Nets, were not having a great season. To keep interest in the team outside of basketball, Barry Baum, Nets Basketball VP of Business and Entertainment PR, decided to create a senior dance team that would perform during half time.
TDF's WENDY WASSERSTEIN PROJECT 2025 Celebration to Take Place in June Photo
TDF's WENDY WASSERSTEIN PROJECT 2025 Celebration to Take Place in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2025

DF will host its annual Wendy Wasserstein Project ceremony at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets here!
The Off-Beat Players to Celebrate Disabilities and Neurodivergence at The Green Room Photo
The Off-Beat Players to Celebrate Disabilities and Neurodivergence at The Green Room 42
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2025

On July 9th, The Green Room 42 will present 'The Off-Beat Players and Friends: A Celebration of Disability and Neurodivergence'. Performing alongside some of the company's veteran performers will be stars of the Broadway musical, 'How to Dance in Ohio',the first Broadway musical with openly Autistic actors playing Autistic characters.
What is the History of New Musicals at the Public Theater? Photo
What is the History of New Musicals at the Public Theater?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 20, 2025

The new musical Goddess can currently be seen in its New York premiere production at the Public Theater on Lafayette Street. Directed by the Public’s associate artistic director and resident director Saheem Ali, who is currently Tony Award-nominated for directing Buena Vista Social Club, Goddess is playing at the Public’s largest space by capacity, the Newman Theatre.
Maggie Solimine Brings BROADWAY, BRITNEY, AND BREAKDOWNS To 54 Below Photo
Maggie Solimine Brings BROADWAY, BRITNEY, AND BREAKDOWNS To 54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - May 10, 2025

54 BELOW will present Maggie Solimine in Broadway, Britney, and Breakdowns on November 11 at 7:00 PM. Fresh from her West End debut, Maggie Solimine invites audiences into her world for a night of powerhouse vocals, chaotic childhood stories (yes, there was a serious Britney Spears phase), and no-holds-barred confessions.
John Lloyd Young, Lillias White and More to Headline MR. FINN’S CABARET at Barringt Photo
John Lloyd Young, Lillias White and More to Headline MR. FINN’S CABARET at Barrington Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2025

Barrington Stage Company has revealed the 2025 Summer Series of Mr. Finn’s Cabaret downstairs at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets!
Norm Lewis, J. Harrison Ghee and More to Perform at Black Theatre United 2025 Junetee Photo
Norm Lewis, J. Harrison Ghee and More to Perform at Black Theatre United 2025 Juneteenth Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2025

Black Theatre United will commemorate the rich history of Black American culture and music, across genres and eras, for a memorable Juneteenth Celebration as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City Festival. Learn more!
Jason Alexander, Rachel Bloom and More to Headline BROADWAY VOICES UNITE Benefit Conc Photo
Jason Alexander, Rachel Bloom and More to Headline BROADWAY VOICES UNITE Benefit Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 22, 2025

Harvest Home will present the return of its Broadway Voices Unite Benefit Concert. The event will feature Jason Alexander, Rachel Boom and more.
Interview: Jenny Lee Stern of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY at Broadway At The Hobby Center Photo
Interview: Jenny Lee Stern of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY at Broadway At The Hobby Center
by Brett Cullum - Apr 17, 2025

Do you ever feel bad making fun of some of these folks? Because I mean, let's face it, Broadway actors. They take themselves a little bit seriously. I am terrified of interviewing Patti Lupone!
Photos: Behind the Scenes at the Laurie Beechman Theatre Re-Opening Renaissance Gala Photo
Photos: Behind the Scenes at the Laurie Beechman Theatre Re-Opening Renaissance Gala
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 17, 2025

The Laurie Beechman Theatre just celebrated its reopening at the Renaissance Gala. Special guests included: Ariana DeBose, Andrea McArdle, Chip Zien, Matt Doyle, and more. Check out photos here!
MUSICAL MONDAYS LA Marks Sweet 16 With A Broadway Bash Photo
MUSICAL MONDAYS LA Marks Sweet 16 With A Broadway Bash
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2025

Musical Mondays Los Angeles will celebrate its sixteenth anniversary on Monday, April 21, 2025, with a citywide spotlight. The City of West Hollywood will honor the event with a Proclamation for Service to the Community.
Photos: Inside West Bank Cafe & Laurie Beechman Theatre's Star-Studded Gala Reopening Photo
Photos: Inside West Bank Cafe & Laurie Beechman Theatre's Star-Studded Gala Reopening
by Stephen Sorokoff - Apr 15, 2025

Tom D’Angora and Michael D'Angora held the official Renaissance Gala last night on Monday April 14th, marking the reopening of one of New York City’s most beloved cabaret venues, The Laurie Beechman Theatre.
Deaf Broadway's WAITRESS in ASL and More Set for Lincoln Center’s Summer for the Ci Photo
Deaf Broadway's WAITRESS in ASL and More Set for Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2025

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts will present the fourth annual Summer for the City. The 2025 festival will include world and New York premieres, participatory events, and more.
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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 for her performances. She received the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards for The Life. She also won Best Featured Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Life. Additionally, she earned the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for The Life. Lillias White was also honored with an Obie Award for her performance in Romance in Hard Times.

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