Skinner, Etc. to Join Wheatley for Drama Bookshop Evening

'Til the Fat Girl Sings author and Broadway actress Sharon Wheatley will host an hour of inspiring stories and songs at The Drama Bookshop on Wednesday, November 15th at 6pm. 

Included in the program are performances with Rosie's Broadway Kids (Rosie O'Donnell's foundation www.rosiesbroadwaykids.org ). Scheduled to be interviewed are Jeff Whitty (Tony Award-winning bookwriter of Avenue Q), Emily Skinner (Side Show, The Full Monty, Best Little Whorehouse in TX concert), John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, "Johnny and the Sprites"), Sarah Uriarte Berry (Light in the Piazza, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables) and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Under the Bridge).  

"The interviews will focus on how each of these successful Broadway personalities found their way to a Broadway stage, what obstacles they've overcome, and what they feel has been their biggest achievement to date," according to press materials.

Wheatley's critically acclaimed book 'Til the Fat Girl Sings, From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody, a Memoir was named on The Wall Street Journal's Best Summer Reads list, which was featured on "Good Morning America."  As an author, Wheatley has appeared on national radio shows, TV shows, and in numerous publications.  "'Til the Fat Girl Sings has inspired hundreds of readers to send letters to Sharon depicting their own troubled past.

'Til the Fat Girl Sings follows Wheatley's path to Broadway, humorously and honestly depicting her own struggles with her weight from childhood.  Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio with dreams of a career on Broadway, Wheatley went from an overweight young girl to an obese teen who was constantly reminded that 'Fat isn't sexy, and sexy sells.'  Getting her weight (somewhat) under control, Wheatley attended the University of Cincinnati's prestigious College-Conservatory of Music majoring in Musical Theater.

Since completing college, Wheatley has enjoyed 15 years in New York City as a professional actress and she recently completed a run in Avenue Q at the Wynn Casino and Resort in Las Vegas (Mrs. T/Yellow Bear/ Kate and Lucy).  Her Broadway credits include the final company of Cats as it finished its record breaking run at the Winter Garden Theater (Jennyanydots, The Gumbie Cat), Les Miserables (Cosette and Eponine), and The Phantom of the Opera (Madam Firmin). Most recently, Wheatley performed in The Actor's Fund performance of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Lucy the Slut as Imogene Charlene)."

In addition to her Broadway career, Wheatley is a featured soloist around the country with symphony orchestras, including major symphonies in New Jersey, Detroit, Seattle, Portland, Naples, and Okalahoma City.

Visit www.sharonwheatley.com for more information.