Lillias White and Billy Strtich

Bay Area Cabaret, the organization dedicated to presenting world renowned artists who expand the definition of cabaret, will conclude its season by welcoming Tony winner Lillias White with music director/performer Billy Stritch. In her latest show, which just enjoyed a sold-out run at New York’s 54 Below (and earned her the coveted Bistro Award earlier this year), Ms. White addresses Broadway producers directly in an “open audition” for her next big role. With one of the most breathtaking voices in the business, Ms. White has been described as a “one-of-a-kind performer who combines the sass of a classic blues mama with the skill of a Broadway star. What sets her above, and apart from, most Broadway pop-blues shouters is her ruthless honesty and self-awareness” (The New York Times).

Often described as a blend between Sarah Vaughn and Dinah Washington, Lillias White has been recognized with the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and The Outer Critics Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her 1997 role as “Sonja” in the The Life. In 1990 she won The Obie Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of “Hennie” in Romance in Hard Times. In addition, she won The Drama Logue Award for Best Actress in a Musical for playing “Effie” in the national tour of Dreamgirls. Other theater credits include the Broadway productions of Fela! (Tony nomination Best Featured Actress in a Musical), How to Succeed in Business, Once on This Island, Rock n' Roll: The First 5,000 Years, Barnum, Carrie, and Dreamgirls, as well as the off-Broadway productions of Paris, Texas (2015 Lucille Lortell Award nomination Best Actress), Crowns, The Vagina Monologues, Waiting for Godot, The Princess & The Black-Eyed Pea, and Dinah Was. Ms. White has performed in the national and international tours of Ain't Misbehavin', Tintypes, and The Wiz and her screen credits include featured roles in the films Pieces of April, The Grinch That Stole Christmas, Gloria, North, and Disney's Hercules. In 1992, Ms. White won an Emmy Award® for her role as Sesame Street's “Lillian Edwards.” The singer also has an extensive list of recordings which include cast records and featured vocalist performances. She recorded Dream Girls: The Concert, Too Hot To Handel: The Gospel Messiah, and was featured with Tony Bennett on Cy Coleman's record “It Started with a Dream.” She regularly appears in concert at The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center as well as a guest soloist on the PBS specials such as "A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald" and "In Performance at The White House.

Performing with Ms. White will be Grammy-winning musical director and performer Billy Stritch. Mr. Stritch has made major contributions to the Great American Songbook as a composer and an arranger, working with some of the biggest names in musical theatre including Liza Minnelli, Christine Ebersole, Reba McIntyre, Linda Lavin, and the late Marvin Hamlisch. A gifted vocalist and jazz pianist in his own right, Mr. Stritch has thrilled live audiences, displaying range and sophistication in his performances, while still maintaining an easy sense of humor and showmanship. His original works span the spectrum of musical genres from jazz to country, and include the Grammy Award-winning single, “Does He Love You,” performed by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis.