Lillias White

Lillias White (born July 21, 1951) is an award-winning American singer and actress.

The Brooklyn native made her Broadway debut in "Barnum" in 1981. She understudied the role of Effie in the original 1981 production of "Dreamgirls" and later played the part in the 1987 revival. Additional Broadway credits include the ill-fated "Carrie", "Once on This Island", "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", "Chicago", and benefit concert versions of "Funny Girl" (in which she sang the role of Fanny Brice), "Hair", and "Dreamgirls" (reprising her role as Effie). Her biggest triumph was in the Cy Coleman's "The Life", for which she won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her portrayal of a world-weary, no-nonsense, streetwise hooker.

White's off-Broadway credits include the Public Theater production of the William Finn musical "Romance in Hard Times", for which she won the Obie Award, "Dinah Was", in which she portrayed the legendary blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington, "The Vagina Monologues", and "Crowns". Her national tours include "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "The Wiz".

White performed with the Brooklyn Philharmonic in a concert of works by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and George and Ira Gershwin celebrating the orchestra's 50th anniversary. She also has appeared in concert at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center and has toured internationally with her one-woman show "From Brooklyn to Broadway". She is heard on the 1991 Madonna recording "Rescue Me".

White's television appearances include a regular role on "Sesame Street" (for which she won an Emmy Award), "Law & Order", "", and "NYPD Blue". She sang the role of Bloody Mary in the PBS "Great Performances" presentation of "South Pacific". Her screen credits include voiceover work in Disney's "Hercules" and "Anastasia" and small roles in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Pieces of April". Her latest film, "Highway 101", is scheduled for release in 2008.

External links

* [http://www.lilliaswhite.com/ Lillias White official website]
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###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
title=Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
years=1996-1997
for "The Life"
before=Audra Ann McDonald
for "Carousel"
after=Tsidii Le Loka
for "The Lion King"