Seth Rudestsky’s Broadway Series with Lillias White

Seth is known as the “mayor of Broadway” (NY TIMES) and has played piano for over a dozen musicals on Broadway like Ragtime and Les Misérables. He is also a three-time Emmy nominated comedy writer and the afternoon Broadway host on SiriusXM radio.

Internationally acclaimed Tony, Obie, and Emmy Award-winner Lillias White who most recently starred as Hermes in Hadestown on Broadway, has delighted our cabaret audiences previously.

This unique concert will be filled with “just between us” funny/behind-the-scenes stories mixed with incredible performances of the songs Ms. White has performed on Broadway and all over the world. The setlist will have Ms. White recreating show-stopping performances from her extensive Broadway career. And, of course, the whole thing will be peppered with Rudetsky’s signature comedic sass and encyclopedic knowledge of Broadway.

Seth's Broadway Concerts are always one-of-a-kind because they're never fully plannedin advance! This spontaneous evening of behind-the-scenes stories and hit songs will also feature Lillias recreating her triumphant performance of Effie in Dreamgirls, a role she played in Los Angeles, on Broadway and in Rudetsky’s fundraiser for the Actors Fund which raised $1,000,000! Don’t miss this hilarious and music-filled event at Segerstrom!

Described by The New York Times as a “one-of-a-kind performer who combines the sass of a classic blues mama with the skill of a Broadway star,” Lillias White is world-renowned for her glorious voice and extraordinary ability to communicate the heart of a song.

Her performance in Cy Coleman’s Broadway musical, The Life, won her the Tony® Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She was nominated for a second Tony® Award for her brilliant work in Fela! Additional Broadway credits include Hadestown, Barnum, Dreamgirls, Cats, Carrie, Once on This Island, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Chicago. Other Off-Broadway and regional Credits include 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, starring Reba McEntire, which was also broadcast on PBS’ “Great Performances.”

In addition to receiving Broadway acclaim, Lillias is internationally recognized for her TV and film work. Lillias received the Daytime Emmy® Award for her role as Lillian Edwards for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series on “Sesame Street” in 1992 and is beloved by audiences around the world for voicing the lead muse Calliope in Disney’s animated feature film Hercules. Film credits include Pieces of April (starring Katie Holmes) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (starring Jim Carrey).

Recent TV credits 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, including The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.

“Get Yourself Some Happy!” which is Lillias’ first solo album, was released in 2021 (Old Mill Road Recording.) It’s a modern mix of Motown, standards, rock-and-roll, Broadway, and jazz – all re-invented for today’s audiences. The tracks all center on the theme of happiness. Titles range from a soulful “When You Wish Upon a Star” to a lightning fast “The Twist” to a sweet, tender version of “You’re My Best Friend.” Her disco inspired, orchestral “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” will inspire dancing, and her tropical “Put on a Happy Face” will make listeners grin from ear to ear. She can be heard on several Broadway cast albums, in addition to “Get Yourself Some Happy!” and “From Brooklyn to Broadway.” lilliaswhite.com

Four days after Broadway shut down, Seth Rudetsky and his husband James Wesley Jackson started hosting the livestream “Stars In The House” which raises money for The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund). So far, they’ve raised over $1.2 million dollars and recently celebrated the four year anniversary of the show.

Before that, Seth spent many years on Broadway as a pianist and conductor as well as two years as a comedy writer on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” (three Emmy nominations with his co-writers). He is now the afternoon deejay on the SiriusXM’s Broadway channel as well the host of “Seth Speaks.”

He’s performed his show, Deconstructing Broadway in London, Boston (Irne award) and right here in California…with Barbra Streisand in the audience! He co-wrote and co-starred in Disaster! (New York Times critics’ pick) on Broadway, which is licensed by Music Theater International and is being performed around the country.

He’s written three volumes of “Seth’s Broadway Diary” (Dress Circle Publishing) and has also authored two young adult novels; “My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan” and “The Rise and Fall of A Theater Geek” (Random House) as well as “Musical Theatre For Dummies” which was put on the NY TIMES gift guide in December 2023.

Seth and James co-produced the “What The World Needs Now Is Love” recording with Broadway Records (number one on iTunes) featuring amazing singers like Jessie Mueller, Carole King, Audra MacDonald, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lillias (‘natch!) and so many more to help the victims and families of the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting.

He and James also produce and host the yearly “Voices: Stars for Foster Kids” concert to benefit You Gotta Believe, which helps older foster kids find families (stars have included Tina Fey and Megan Hilty) as well as producing/hosting 13 Concert For America benefits which help non-profits like National Immigration Law Center and NAACP (stars have included Barry Manilow and the late Chita Rivera).

Lillias starred in two of Seth’s Broadway fundraisers for the Actors Fund: Dreamgirls, alongside Audra McDonald and Heather Headley, which raised $1,000,000 and was recorded on Nonesuch records and Hair alongside Jennifer Hudson and Adam Pascal which was recorded by Ghostlight and nominated for a Grammy Award.

Seth and James run “Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Cruise” which brings Broadway stars and Broadway lovers together to fabulous destinations. You can learn about more Seth’s cruises and watch his videos at SethRudetsky.com.

Tickets start at $79.00