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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.

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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


Jordan Fisher, Judy Kuhn, Nichelle Lewis, Lillias White and More Join BROADWAY DREAM ROLES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2026

Additional stars have been added to the lineup for Broadway Dream Roles, which returns to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Jordan Fisher, Judy Kuhn, Nichelle Lewis and more have joined the event!
Exclusive: Highlights from the 2026 Broadway Ensemble Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 9, 2026

Winners were announced for the first-ever Broadway Ensemble Awards. Among the big winners were Chess, which took home four awards, and Ragtime, which took home two. Watch highlights from inside the big night in this video!
Darius de Haas, Lillias White and More to Join BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR 50th Anniversary Benefit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2026

Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 58th anniversary with a gala benefit concert marking the 50th anniversary of Bubbling Brown Sugar at Penthouse 45 in NYC, featuring chef and TV host Carla Hall as special guest.
The Green Room 42 to Present CHARLIE SINGS JUDY In April
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 26, 2026

Charlie High will honor Judy Garland's legendary Carnegie Hall concert on April 23 at The Green Room 42. The performance will feature selections from Garland's historic set, marking its 65th anniversary.
Photos: See Highlights from the 2026 MAC Awards at Symphony Space
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 26, 2026

The 3/23 show honored some of the best of NYC's cabaret scene including Karen Akers, Lillias White, and more. See photos from the event taken by Conor Weiss.
Photos: Lillias White, Karen Akers and More at the 2026 MAC Awards
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Mar 24, 2026

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets presented the 40th Annual MAC Awards at a live ceremony at NYC's Peter Norton Symphony Space. See photos from the event and learn more about the MAC Award winners.
Billy Stritch, Christine Ebersole, Jim Caruso, and More Take Home 40th Annual MAC Awards; Learn More!
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2026

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets announced winners of the 40th Annual MAC Awards on March 23, 2026, at NYC's Peter Norton Symphony Space, including special honoree awards. Check out the full list of winners here!
Cabaret Roundup: March 23-29- Darren Criss, Lillias White & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 23, 2026

Here are a few top picks to consider in NYC this week including the annual MAC Awards Show, music from the Heated Rivalry soundtrack sung by Justin Vivian Bond, comedian Kyle Dunnigan's band and more.
THE FIRST ANNUAL 54 BELOW GALA and More Set for 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 20, 2026

Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Linda Eder with Billy Stritch, The First Annual 54 Below Gala and more. 
Review: LILLIAS WHITE LIVE AT THE BEECHMAN A Wild Ride Of Music and Mirth
by Stephen Mosher - Mar 14, 2026

Lillias White is storming the castle at The Laurie Beechman, and audiences are all white flags as they surrender, happily and heartily.
Taylor Iman Jones, Jordan Fisher and More to Star in THE KING'S CRITIQUE Industry Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2026

Art Lab Productions will present an invite-only, industry reading of The King’s Critique, a new musical by Nat Zegree and Eric Holmes. The reading will star Taylor Iman Jones, Jordan Fisher and more.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 10, 2026- Broadway Ensemble Award Nominations and More
by - Mar 10, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 10, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
CHESS, MAMMA MIA!, and RAGTIME Lead Nominations for the Inaugural Broadway Ensemble Awards
by Joshua Wright - Mar 9, 2026

The Broadway Ensemble Awards have announced nominees for their inaugural ceremony recognizing Broadway chorus performers. The awards will be presented April 6, 2026 in New York City.
VIDEO: Lillias White & Bradley Dean Announce Inaugural Broadway Ensemble Awards Nominations
by Team BWW - Mar 9, 2026

BroadwayWorld will stream the nominations announcement for the inaugural Broadway Ensemble Awards live from The Museum of Broadway on March 9.
Review: Luminous and Legendary Donna McKechnie Plays A MUSICAL MEMOIR at The Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Stephen Mosher - Mar 6, 2026

A Musical Memoir might be the most entertaining show in cabaret right now, but since it is Donna McKechnie's memoir, it is definitely the most important.
RAVI ROUND THE WORLD: AN INFLUENCER IN THE WILD Comes to The Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Mar 5, 2026

Award-winning storyteller and digital creator Ravi Roth will bring his wildly popular brand to the stage in a one-night-only cabaret event that is equal parts Broadway, confession booth, and influencer fever dream.
Best Cabaret in March 2026: Elizabeth Gillies, Linda Eder, Todd Glass & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 1, 2026

See some of the biggest names performing at cabaret venues this month - at a range of budget points. Tickets to these shows are limited and they are likely to sell out, so make sure to check this list when you plan out your month!
Linda Eder, Kate Baldwin, Jenn Colella and More to Perform at 54 Below for Women's History Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2026

Next month, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond for Women's History Month, including Linda Eder, Kate Baldwin, Jenn Colella and more. 
Core Theatre Group Announces 2026 Season Line Up
by Joshua Wright - Feb 27, 2026

Core Theatre Group has revealed their season programming, along with initial casting and creative team announcements for the 2026 season. Core Theatre Group is based in Orange County, New York. 
Broadway Ensemble Awards to Announce Nominees Live at Museum of Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 23, 2026

The inaugural Broadway Ensemble Awards, a new initiative recognizing outstanding Broadway chorus performers, will officially launch with a live nominee announcement at The Museum of Broadway.

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 the following awards: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical from the Drama Desk Awards for The Life, Best Featured Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Life, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical from the Tony Awards for The Life, and a Performance award from the Obie Awards for Romance in Hard Times.

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Videos