Lillias White

Broadway star Lillias White

For Broadway veteran Lillias White, it all began as a child in Brooklyn, N.Y., when relatives encouraged her to dance and sing on her grandmother’s dining room table. The 71-year-old actress, who won a Tony Award for “The Life,” is now starring in the Broadway musical “Hadestown.” She talks with correspondent Mo Rocca about her role models growing up; her relationship with the audience; and setting the standard for singing standards.

MAY 28, 2023 

 

Performance credits

Half Time

Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse

Millburn, NJ
May 31 – July 1, 2018

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Center Theatre Group

Mark Taper Forum

Los Angeles, CA
September 1 – October 16, 2016

Gotta Dance

world premiere
Broadway In Chicago

Bank of America Theatre

Chicago, IL
December 13, 2015 – January 17, 2016

Texas in Paris

world premiere
The York Theatre Company

The Theater at St. Peter’s

New York, NY
January 27 – March 1, 2015

 

While I Yet Live

Primary Stages

The Duke on 42nd Street

New York, NY
September 23 – October 31, 2014
Gertrude 

Harriet

staged reading
part of: The New York Musical Theatre Festival 2014

The Studio Theatre at Theatre Row

New York, NY
July 16 – 20, 2014
Harriet
Woman in White

Harlem’s Big Otis Jump Up Blues Revue

Red Rooster Harlem

New York, NY
August 15 – 29, 2013

Big Maybelle: Soul of the Blues

Bay Street Theatre

Sag Harbor, NY
August 7 – September 2, 2012
Maybelle Smith

 

Gem of the Ocean

Rubicon Theatre Company

Rubicon Theatre

Ventura, CA
May 16 – June 10, 2012
Aunt Ester

Love, Loss, and What I Wore

Westside Theatre (Downstairs)

New York, NY
September 21, 2009 – March 25, 2012
January 4 – 29, 2012

The Countess of Storyville

staged reading
Amas Musical Theatre

The Players Theatre

New York, NY
October 17 – 18, 2011

The Best is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman

Rubicon Theatre Company

59E59 Theater A

New York, NY
May 18 – July 3, 2011

Lonesome Traveler: A Journey Down the Rivers and Streams of American Folk

Rubicon Theatre Company

Rubicon Theatre

Ventura, CA

Laguna Playhouse Moulton Theatre

Laguna Beach, CA
April 13, 2011 – February 5, 2012

Broadway Backwards 6

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

Longacre Theatre

New York, NY
February 7, 2011

 

 

Big Maybelle: Soul of the Blues

staged reading
Amas Musical Theatre Six O’Clock Musical Theatre Lab, The Gilead Company

Pearl Studios

New York, NY
September 13 – 15, 2010
Maybelle Smith

Fela!

Eugene O’Neill Theatre

New York, NY
October 19, 2009 – January 2, 2011
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

 

The Best is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman

Rubicon Theatre Company

Rubicon Theatre

Ventura, CA
July 9 – August 2, 2009

The Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea

San Diego Repertory Theatre

Lyceum Theatre

San Diego, CA
December – 21, 2008
Queen Zauba

 

 

Damn Yankees

Reprise Theatre Company

Freud Playhouse at UCLA

Los Angeles, CA
November 6 – 25, 2007
Dory

 

Jerry Christmas

staged reading
part of: National Alliance for Musical Theatre 18th Annual Festival of New Musicals

New World Stages

New York, NY
October 8 – 9, 2006

Chicago

Richard Rodgers Theatre

New York, NY

Shubert Theatre

New York, NY

Ambassador Theatre

New York, NY
November 14, 1996 –
January 30 – September 10, 2006
Matron “Mama” Morton

 

The Funkentine Rapture

staged reading
part of: National Alliance for Musical Theatre 17th Annual Festival of New Musicals

Dodger Stages

New York, NY
September 25 – 26, 2005

Purlie

City Center Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert

New York City Center Mainstage Theater

New York, NY
2005

Crowns

Second Stage Theatre

Second Stage Theatre

New York, NY
December 3, 2002 – January 5, 2003
Velma
The Life

Ethel Barrymore Theatre

New York, NY
April 26, 1997 – June 7, 1998
Sonya

 

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Richard Rodgers Theatre

New York, NY
March 23, 1995 – July 14, 1996
Miss Jones

Cats

Winter Garden Theatre

New York, NY
October 7, 1982 – September 10, 2000
1992

replacement

Grizabella

Once on This Island

Playwrights Horizons

Booth Theatre

New York, NY
October 2, 1990 – December 1991

Dreamgirls 1987 International Tour

Various Venues

1985 – 1987
Effie White

Awards

2015

Nomination:
Lortel Award: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical
Texas in Paris — performer

2010

Nomination:
Tony Award: Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Fela! — Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

2008

Winner:
Noel Award: Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female
The Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea — Queen Zauba

1997

Winner:
Tony Award: Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
The Life — Sonya
Winner:
Drama Desk Award: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
The Life — Sonya

*

Filmography

 The Drummer (post-production)
Roberta
 2019 Russian Doll (TV Series)
Dr. Zaveri
– Alan’s Routine (2019) … Dr. Zaveri
 2018 Melinda
Madam Magda
 2016-2017 The Get Down (TV Series)
Fat Annie
– Only from Exile Can We Come Home (2017) … Fat Annie
– Gamble Everything (2017) … Fat Annie
– The Beat Says, This Is the Way (2017) … Fat Annie
– One by One, Into the Dark (2017) … Fat Annie
– Raise Your Words, Not Your Voice (2016) … Fat Annie

 2017 American Songbook at NJPAC Hosted by Michael Feinstein (TV Series)

– Episode #4.2 (2017)
 2015 Person of Interest (TV Series)
Hon. R. Reginald
– Guilty (2015) … Hon. R. Reginald
 2015 Gotham (TV Series)
Choir Member
– The Fearsome Dr. Crane (2015) … Choir Member
 2015 Nasty Baby
Cecilia
 2007 Then She Found Me
Sheila (as Lillias D. White)
 2005 Game 6
Toyota Moseby
 2004 Pryor Offenses (TV Movie)
Grandma Irene
 2004 The Jury (TV Series)
Teresa Scott
– Lamentation on the Reservation (2004) … Teresa Scott
 2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series)
Xavier
– Careless (2004) … Xavier
 2003 Pieces of April
Evette
 2002 Interview with the Assassin
Nurse
 2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Shopper
 1999 Hercules: Zero to Hero (Video)
Calliope (voice)
 1999 Gloria
Transit Cop #1
 1998 Hercules (TV Series)
Calliope
– Hercules and the Muse of Dance (1998) … Calliope (voice)
– Hercules and the Parents’ Weekend (1998) … Calliope (voice)
– Hercules and the Driving Test (1998) … Calliope (voice)
– Hercules and the First Day of School (1998) … Calliope (voice)
– Hercules and the World’s First Doctor (1998) … Calliope (voice)
 1997 Hercules (Video Game)
Calliope (voice)
 1997 Anastasia
Ensemble and Character Vocals (voice)
 1997 Disney’s Animated Storybook: Hercules (Video Game)
Calliope (voice)
 1997 Hercules
Calliope the Muse of Epics and the Lead Muse (voice)
 1996 NYPD Blue (TV Series)
Lila Edmonds
– Moby Greg (1996) … Lila Edmonds
 1990-1996 Law & Order (TV Series)
Susan Monroe / Ms. Purvis / Streetwalker
– Custody (1996) … Susan Monroe
– Born Bad (1993) … Ms. Purvis
– By Hooker, by Crook (1990) … Streetwalker
 1994 Bleeding Hearts
Neighbor Woman
 1994 North
Operator
 1990-1994 Sesame Street (TV Series)
Lillian / Singer ‘Face Facts’ and ‘Every Bit a’ Litter Hurts’ / Singer ‘What’s Inside?’ / …
– Episode #25.129 (1994) … Singer ‘Face Facts’ and ‘Every Bit a’ Litter Hurts’ (voice)
– Episode #25.51 (1994) … Singer ‘What’s Inside?’ (voice)
– Episode #25.2 (1993) … Singer ‘Face Facts’ (voice)
– Telly Plays the Triangle (1993) … Lillian
– Telly is afraid of the bread (1992) … Lillian
 1991 Big Bird’s Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake (TV Movie)
Lillian
 1990 Sesame Street Home Video Visits the Hospital (Video short)
Anything Muppet Doctor (voice, uncredited)
 1988 Me and Him
Dancing Secretary (as Lillias White)
 2010 The 64th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: “Everything Scatter”, “Trouble Sleep”, “Pipeline”, “I.T.T.”, “Yellow Fever”)
 1999 Hercules: Zero to Hero (Video) (performer: “Send My Boy to School”, “Screaming Greecian Teenage Blues”)

 1998-1999 Hercules (TV Series) (performer – 12 episodes)

– Hercules and the Big Show (1999) … (performer: “My Town”)
– Hercules and the Poseidon’s Cup Adventure (1998) … (performer: “Unsinkable”)
– Hercules and the Dream  (1998) … (performer: “Aphrodite’s Dance”, “Aphrodite’s Intro”, “Aphrodesia Dance”)
– Hercules and the Driving Test (1998) … (performer: “Never Bet Against a Hero”, “Elysian Fields)
– Hercules and the Visit from Zeus (1998) … (performer: “Screaming Greecian Teenage Blues”)
 1998 Sesame Street: The Great Numbers Game (Video short) (performer: “Mother Brown’s Farm (Number Fifteen Song)”, “Sixteen Blues”)
 1997 The 51st Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: “My Body”)
 1995  The 49th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: “Brotherhood of Man”)
 1993  Sesame Songs: Sing-Along Earth Songs (Video short) (performer: “Every Bit a’ Litter Hurts” (1990) – uncredited)

 1992-1993Sesame Street (TV Series) (performer – 2 episodes)

– Oscar Turns Into Prince Charming (1993) … (performer: “Every Bit A’ Litter Hurts”)
– Another Day on the Street (1992) … (performer: “Simple Clapping Song”)
 1991 The 45th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: “Mama Will Provide”)
 Broadway: The Next Generation (Documentary)
Herself
 2017-2019 Broadway.com #LiveatFive (TV Series)
Herself
– Lillias White (2019) … Herself
– Lillias White (2017) … Herself
 2017Playbill Presents: The Broadway Cast (TV Series)
Herself

– Tony Award Winners (2017) … Herself
 2017Artists for the Arts: With a Little Help from My Friends (Video short)
Herself – Vocalist
 2016-2017 Harry (TV Series)
Herself / Himself

– Two-Day Valentine’s Show Spectacular!/”NCIS” Star Jennifer Esposito/Surprise Proposal in Tallest Building in NYC (2017) … Herself
– Harry’s ’70s Show!/The Get Down Cast/’70s Themed Mystery Guests/Harry Tries… The Hustle! (2016) … Himself
 2014 Stage Door Divas (Documentary)
Herself
 2013 Smash (TV Series)
Herself

– The Tonys (2013) … Herself
 2011 Heart of Broadway: The Ensemble Behind Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (TV Movie documentary)
Herself
 2011 All Night with Joey Reynolds (TV Series)
Herself

– Episode #1.29 (2011) … Herself
 2010The 64th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)
Herself – Nominee & Performer
 2007 Ready for School (Video)
Herself
 2006 Great Performances (TV Series)
Bloody Mary

– ‘South Pacific‘ in Concert from Carnegie Hall (2006) … Bloody Mary
 1999 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (TV Special)
Herself
 1997 The Making of ‘Hercules‘ (Video documentary short)
Herself – Voice of ‘Calliope’
 1997 Elmo Says Boo (Short)
Herself
 1997 The 51st Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)
Herself – Winner & Performer
 1997 The Rosie O’Donnell Show (TV Series)
Herself

– Episode dated 30 May 1997 (1997) … Herself
 1995 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (TV Special)
Herself
 1995 The 49th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)
Herself – Performer
 1991 The 45th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)
Herself – Performer
 1983 In Performance at the White House (TV Series documentary)
Herself

– An Evening of Spirituals and Gospel Music (1983) … Herself
 2008Sesame Street (TV Series)
Singer ‘Not Alive’

– Elmo & Zoe’s Hat Contest (2008) … Singer ‘Not Alive’

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iforcolor

ARCHIVIST, EDUCATOR, HISTORIAN, and ARTiST
Dale Ricardo Shields is a 2017 winner of The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award®, 2017 and 2015 Tony® award nominee for the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, the 2017 AUDELCO/"VIV" Special Achievement Award, 2020, 2021, and 2022 ENCORE AWARD / The Actors Fund and winner of the 2022.

Recently, he won the 2022 Legend Award from his alma mater Ohio University.

He is the 2021 winner of the Paul Robeson Award, presented (jointly) by the Actors Equity Association and the Actors Equity Foundation.

Research Accomplishments:
His extensive professional credits as a Director, Stage manager, and Actor (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and Regional) As an actor he has appeared on Saturday Night Live, Another World, Guiding Light, The Cosby Show, and the ITV television series "Special Needs" and commercials and film.

Professor Shields is a member of the Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the American Guild of Musical Artists performance unions and an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

He began his artistic academic career in New York City at Playwrights Horizon, The South Bronx Action Theatre, and Mind Builders, and then was invited to join the teaching staff at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre (New York Shakespeare Festival). He represented the United States for Theatre Young Audiences at the ASSITEJ Theatre Festival in London, England.

He has been a Professor and Visiting Artist at Ohio University, The College of Wooster, Denison University, Macalester College, Randolph- Macon College, Susquehanna University, and SUNY Potsdam.

He holds B.F.A and M.F.A, Degrees from Ohio University.

Website(s)

Iforcolor.org [Research]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Ricardo_Shields [Career]