Til The Fat Girl Sings: From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody-A Memoir [Paperback]

Sharon Wheatley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

Whale. Heifer. Fatty. These are the names Sharon Wheatley heard every day during middle school. By high school she topped the scales at 230 pounds. Sneaking into the garage late at night to scarf down frozen cupcakes from the freezer while her family slept, Sharon kept on eating-and kept on dreaming of Broadway. Discouraged at every turn by friends and family alike, "Little Miss Sunshine" stayed positive and kept her dream alive. Even when her own father told her, "Sexy sells, and fat isn't sexy," Sharon endured. Despite her weight, she got into the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music-where they told her she'd never land a romantic leading role.
They were all wrong. In this touching memoir, readers follow Sharon as she transforms herself from a tortured-on-the-inside, all-smiles-on-the-outside, obese teenager to the confident young woman who, against all odds, takes Broadway by storm. Rising above her greatest critics and detractors, Sharon achieves her lifelong dream. A story that is sure to touch teens and adults alike, 'Til the Fat Girl Sings is a compelling, honest story that shows readers good girls don't always finish last-and leading roles don't always go to the most popular girl in school.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What's a gal to do when she tips the scales at 230 pounds and longs to sing on Broadway? Wheatley worked herself down to a manageable weight through a strict diet and exercise routine-but that's not the end of her story. In this combination memoir and motivational tract, the author chronicles her struggle with weight and how it affected her self-esteem as a child, professional actress and mother, until she reached the point that she was comfortable carrying around a few extra pounds. Wheatley's never-give-up approach to life is inspiring, and her writing is as smooth as it is conversational. Overall, though, this book's best audience might be young readers, who should be inspired by this overcoming-adversity story. The author, who leads seminars for students about self-esteem and body image issues, doesn't go into depth about her pound-dissolving process, except to say that she ate better and exercised. To that end, there's a frustrating vagueness throughout. For instance, when Wheatley lands a role in Cats, her contract stipulates she must lose 10 pounds, but the reader doesn't know her weight before or after. And though the cover resembles a Broadway Playbill, there's minimal behind-the-scenes dish. However, readers looking for a spirited pick-me-up will find it here.
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About the Author

Sharon Wheatley (New York, NY) is a Broadway actress, and has appeared in such shows as Cats, Les Miserables, and The Phantom of the Opera. She also teaches nationwide seminars for high school and college students about body image and self-esteem. She has a major role in the Las Vegas production of the Broadway hit, Avenue Q, at the Wynn Casino. This is her first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media; First Edition. reviewers material laid in edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593375433
• ISBN-13: 978-1593375430
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,093,989 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Theatre

More About the Author

On a quest to be the next Erma Bombeck.
Read my blog at www.sharonwheatley.com

I have two great kids who are turkeys and my husband is a saint no matter how hard I try to get a rise out of him. I like to write about our funny, gypsy, show biz life style.

I wrote 'TIL THE FAT GIRL SINGS about overcoming odds as an overweight, midwestern girl with big dreams. All my life I have been the underdog and had to wonder, does talent win out? Does perseverance matter?

Happily, I can report that I have appeared on Broadway in AVENUE Q, LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CATS and in many national tours. I also sing around the country with symphony orchestras.

'TIL THE FAT GIRL SINGS is my first book, and was named to The Wall Street Journal's "Best Summer Reads" list and the books were featured on Good Morning America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, Moving, Inspirational...A GREAT BOOK!, May 11, 2006

By 

A. R. Karpe "ARKendall" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Til The Fat Girl Sings: From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody-A Memoir (Paperback)

Sharon Wheatley's memoir is more than just an account of conquering childhood obesity, it's also a funny and moving coming-of-age story about creating the life you dream of in the face of adversity. Although we already know the ending--that Sharon found a happy life as a wife and mother and a successful career as a Broadway actress--this compulsively readable book keeps you rooting for her, wondering if she'll be able to beat the odds. This is not just a book aimed at young women, it is a story with universal appeal, and Sharon's natural gift as a writer draws you in like a confidante to her story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Universal Appeal, May 29, 2006

By 

K. K. Conte (Greensburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Til The Fat Girl Sings: From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody-A Memoir (Paperback)

Beautiful, sensitive memoir that deals with universal issues of growing up. Sharon doesn't cast blame for her weight but certainly expresses how it affected her growing up and still affects her as an adult. It's about forgiving yourself and others for things you did and that happened to you in the past. I was hesitant to read the book because of the mother influence in her story. I didn't want to have to beat myself up for how I raised my girls in relation to body concept and self-esteem but it didn't make me feel sad or regretful. It is a very quick read. I read it today! A deeply personal, intimate look at a lovely, talented person who has worked very hard to achieve her dream and overcome many personal issues. It's a beautiful love story too. A must read for anyone who was ever a child, with or without weight issues - mother, adult, singer, actor,... human being. Can you tell, I loved it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharon is a knockout!, June 7, 2006

By 

Plein Jane (new england) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Til The Fat Girl Sings: From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody-A Memoir (Paperback)

It's been my great privilege to hear Sharon sing and see her perform, and believe me, I was shocked to learn she'd struggled with her weight. She has such an exotic and unusual beauty that you just can't take your eyes off her, and when she sings, well, her voice is incredible. It's wonderful to hear a major Broadway talent admit she's had some of the same problems the rest of us struggle with daily.