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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]

[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


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

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


Bill Russell to Host DIVAS I LOVE SINGING LYRICS I WROTE at Birdland

Tony Award-nominated writer Bill Russell will host Lillias White, Alice Ripley, Erin Davie, and Charity Angél Dawson in Divas I Love Singing Lyrics I Wrote at Birdland on Monday, September 30th at 7:00 p.m.
HOT FAT PEOPLE SING to Play The Green Room 42 Next Week

The Green Room 42 will present Gwynne Wood, Jordan Underwood, London Riley Keller, and other Broadway and Regional stars in “Hot Fat People” on September 13th, 7pm.
Photos: Inside Opening Night of TABLE 17 at MCC

The World Premiere of MCC Theater's Table 17 by Douglas Lyons and directed by Zhailon Levingston just celebrated its opening night at MCC Theater’s Susan & Ronald Frankel Theater. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos here
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White and John Duff Release New Single 'Hoe Is Life'

Tony Award-winner Lillias White and John Duff released a new single, 'Hoe is Life,' blending humor and defiance. Written by Duff, the song challenges societal norms and reflects on modern gay life.
Christopher DeLair Debuts At The Green Room 42 With LIFE IN THE AIR

Christopher DeLair's NYC club debut at The Green Room 42 features Life In The Air, an evening of original theatrical and contemporary pop music with nearly a dozen musicians.
Sara Jean Ford and More Will Lead Concert of New Musical About San Francisco Abortionist Inez Burns

A concert of the new musical Female Complaints about underground San Francisco abortionist Inez Burns will be presented on Monday, September 9th, 2024 at 7PM ET at The Green Room 42 in NYC (570 10th Avenue).
Westport Country Playhouse Adds Laura Benanti To Talent Lineup For Annual Fundraiser

Westport Country Playhouse has announced that Tony Award winner and five-time Tony Award nominee Laura Benanti has been added to the talent lineup for the fundraising concert, “The Best Is Yet to Come,” on Saturday, September 14.
Lillias White Returns to 54 Below to Celebrate New Album Release

54 Below will welcome back Hadestown’s Lillias White from March 26 - 29 at 7pm.
F. Murray Abraham, Raul Esparza, and More Join Westport Country Playhouse Annual Fundraiser

F. Murray Abraham, Raúl Esparza, Norm Lewis, Bonnie Milligan, Debra Monk, and Lillias White will join previously announced performers Kristin Chenoweth and Mary-Mitchell Campbell for “The Best Is Yet to Come” benefit.
THE SCARLET LETTER Musical To Receive Concert Presentation At The Green Room 42

The Green Room 42 in NYC will host a concert of the new folk-music, feminist THE SCARLET LETTER MUSICAL by Kenady Sean & Christine Hand Jones on September 6, featuring Ximone Rose and Cara Rose DiPietro.
The Green Room 42 to Present HOT FAT PEOPLE SING in September

The Green Room 42 will present Hot Fat People Sing in September. Learn how to purchase tickets.
The Green Room 42 to Present Intimate Sondheim Evening in October

The Green Room 42 will present Joel DeCandio's Sondheim at the Piano, a concert celebrating Stephen Sondheim's work with piano interludes and special guest soprano Britt Hewitt on October 6, 2024.
Whoopi Goldberg, Ariana DeBose, Patti LuPone, & More Named Honorary Co-Chairs For the Black Theatre United 2024 Gala

Black Theatre United has announced a star-studded lineup of Honorary Co-Chairs for its second annual Gala on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Learn more here!
Marieann Meringolo in THE BIRTHDAY SHOW VINTAGE, 1964 to Play The Green Room 42

The Green Room 42 will present Marieann Meringolo in “The Birthday Show Vintage, 1964” on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM.
The Green Room 42 to Present Flotilla DeBarge In SONGS AND SASS Next Month

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present a special evening with NYC drag royalty Flotilla DeBarge in her new show “Songs and Sass” on Thursday, August 8 at 7:00 PM.
TWO THOUSAND MILES: A NEW MUSICAL To Be Presented Live At The Green Room 42

Experience TWO THOUSAND MILES: A NEW MUSICAL live at The Green Room 42.
Nyla Watson Brings AN ODE TO AUDRA to 54 Below

54 Below will present Hadestown star Nyla Watson in An Ode to Audra on Sunday, August 18 at 9:30pm with a livestream option at 9:45pm ET.
GOTTA SING WITH KENNETH GARTMAN Comes to the Green Room 42

The Green Room 42 will present “Gotta Sing with Kenneth Gartman” on Tuesday, July 23rd at 9:30 pm.  Host and Music Director Kenneth Gartman shines a light on some of NYC’s best musical theatre talent each month in a new cabaret series - Gotta Sing.
Rubicon Theatre's Summer Youth Education Program Will Present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, JR. Next Weekend

Rubicon Theatre Company’s Summer Youth Education Program will present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, JR. Performances run from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28 at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura.
Norbert Leo Butz and Lillias White Will Join Seth Rudetsky's Broadway Concert Series at The Studebaker Theater

Two nights of Broadway magic will come to Chicago with Seth's Broadway Concert Series at The Studebaker Theater in the historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S Michigan Ave.

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?

Lillias White has received several nominations throughout her career. She was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical at The Lortels for Texas in Paris. Additionally, she was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Fela! She also received a nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for The Life, and for Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Life. Furthermore, she was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Life, and for Performance at the 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, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Life, and a Performance Award at the Obie Awards for Romance in Hard Times.

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