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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]

[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, Hennie, Performer

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

[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
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

IT'S A GRAAE NIGHT FOR SINGING! to Return to 54 Below with Jason Graae
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 16, 2026

Jason Graae will reprise IT'S A GRAAE NIGHT FOR SINGING! at 54 Below in New York City, following sold-out performances in Los Angeles and an earlier NYC run. Gerald Sternbach serves as musical director.
ALL AT ONCE 40th Anniversary Reunion Concert to Play The Green Room 42
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 15, 2026

The jukebox musical ALL AT ONCE will reunite members of its original Philadelphia and New York casts for a 40th anniversary remaster concert at The Green Room 42, with in-person and livestream tickets available.
Lillias White and More to Star in MOTHER. DAUGHTER. FATHER. SON. at Adirondack Theatre Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 11, 2026

Adirondack Theatre Festival revealed the full cast for the world premiere of Douglas Lyons' Mother. Daughter. Father. Son., with Tony winner Lillias White.
Amber Gray-Led HEARTWORM to Play at 2026 Dances With Films Festival
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 10, 2026

Heartworm, a new sci-fi drama featuring Tony Award nominee and Rocky Horror star Amber Gray, will hold its SoCal Premiere at the 29th Annual Dances With Films: LA.
Lineup Set For 15th Annual TD JAMES MOODY JAZZ FESTIVAL at NJPAC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 27, 2026

NJPAC revealed the lineup for the 15th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival in Newark, featuring an Ben Vereen 80th birthday celebration, and performances by Gregory Porter, Charles Lloyd, and Christian McBride.
Best Cabaret in June 2026: Lillias White, Donna McKechnie, Norm Lewis & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 31, 2026

We've put together a list of some of the biggest stars of the stage and screen and the biggest names in jazz, cabaret, comedy and Broadway with shows in NYC. Tickets to these shows are likely to sell out, so get yours soon!
Cabaret Roundup: June 1-7 – Lillias White, Adrienne Warren & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jun 1, 2026

Here are a few top picks to consider this week including jazz, a solo concert by Broadway star Lillias White (Hadestown), Lyrics and Lyricists celebrating the music of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and more.
Industry Kids To Present Concert For The PBS Endowment Fund
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 23, 2026

The Green Room 42 will present a youth concert featuring music from Sesame Street, The Muppets, and Fraggle Rock, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the PBS Endowment Fund.
The Green Room 42 to Present Tony Awards Viewing Party Hosted by Ben Cameron
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026

The Green Room 42 will host a Tony Awards viewing party in New York City, with host Ben Cameron leading an evening of live broadcast watching, specialty cocktails, games, and celebration.
Original A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Star D'Jamin Bartlett Will Bring NIGHTCLUB: A TRUE STORY to The Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2026

D'Jamin Bartlett, original cast member of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and Mark Bornfield will perform NIGHTCLUB: A TRUE STORY at The Green Room 42, featuring selections from PHANTOM, LES MISÉRABLES, WEST SIDE STORY, and more.
Merle Dandridge, Lesli Margherita and More Will Take Part in BROADWAY VOICES UNITE Benefit Concert
by Nicole Rosky - May 11, 2026

On Saturday, June 13, 2026 (7 PM) some of Broadway's best will be on the west coast for the third annual Broadway Voices Unite, bringing together celebrated performers for a powerful evening of Broadway and pop music—all to raise vital funds for Harvest Home.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE… Will Return to The Green Room 42 in May
by Stephi Wild - May 11, 2026

Stephen DeAngelis will present the 196th edition of AT THIS PERFORMANCE…, spotlighting understudies from RAGTIME, BEACHES, THE WILD PARTY, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, and GODDESS at The Green Room 42.
Registration Now Open For 2026 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026

NJPAC announced registration is open for the 15th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, with finalists set to perform on the NJPAC stage in Newark before a panel of judges including José James and Gretchen Parlato.
Best Cabaret in May 2026: Harry Connick Jr., Lillias White, Melissa Manchester & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Apr 30, 2026

We've put together a list of some of the biggest stars of the stage and screen and the biggest names in jazz, cabaret, comedy and Broadway with shows in NYC. Now's your chance to see these stars live, in-person and in an intimate venue
Video: Jordan Fisher Performs 'She Cries' at BROADWAY DREAM ROLES
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026

Broadway performers took the stage at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 20, 2026, for Broadway Dream Roles, a one-night event benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, where artists performed songs from roles they have not yet played on Broadway. Watch video of Jordan Fisher's performance of, 'She Cries,' by Jason Robert Brown.
BIT BY THE BUG Cabaret at The Green Room 42 to Benefit ALS Research
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026

Kindred Spirits Productions will present BIT BY THE BUG at The Green Room 42, a musical theatre cabaret honoring Judy Ellis and raising funds for Target ALS, featuring a cast of 13 performers.
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lillias White, and More Set For YOU GOTTA BELIEVE Anniversary Gala
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2026

Broadway performers including Brian Stokes Mitchell, Charlotte d'Amboise, and Lillias White will perform at YOU GOTTA BELIEVE's 30th Anniversary Gala in NYC, honoring Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson.
Bonnie Milligan, Norm Lewis, and Lillias White Will Perform With Seth Rudetsky at Williams College
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026

Berkshire Theatre Group will present THE SETH RUDETSKY CONCERT SERIES at Williams College's '62 Center for Theatre and Dance, featuring Tony Award winners Bonnie Milligan, Norm Lewis, and Lillias White in an intimate Broadway concert format.
Photos/Video: BROADWAY DREAM ROLES Brings Out Lillias White, Jordan Fisher, Ali Stroker and More
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 21, 2026

Broadway Dream Roles lit up the Al Hirschfeld Theatre with performances by Jordan Fisher, Santino Fontana, Ali Stroker, and Lillias White. Check out photos and video of the event.
Cabaret Roundup: April 27-May 3- Stephen Schwartz, Lillias White & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Apr 27, 2026

Here are a few top picks to consider this week including a New York Pops concert honoring Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell), a new solo show by Natasha Vaynblat (The Tonight Show, Comedy Central), Lyrics & Lyricists, and more.

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 (Drama Desk Awards) for The Life; Best Featured Actress in a 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 a Performance Award (Obie Awards) for Romance in Hard Times.

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