I grew up in Cincinnati Ohio, but now I live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with my husband Rob and my sweet daughter, Charlotte (and our cat, Rudolph). My career brings a lot of travel into our lives, and this year was no exception! We recently returned from a long run with the Tony award winning AVENUE Q in Las Vegas. We had a terrific time in living Vegas for a year, but we are thrilled to be back in Manhattan.

My Bio:

Sharon Wheatley is both a Broadway actress and a nationally published author of the memoir ‘Til the Fat Girl Sings. Sharon is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio where she attended the renowned Musical Theater program at University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music.

Since completing college, Sharon has enjoyed 15 years in New York City as a professional actress and 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 Firman). Sharon holds the distinction of being the only actress to appear in all three of these Broadway blockbusters on Broadway. She has also toured nationally and internationally with Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and The Sound of Music, as well as appearing around the country in regional theater productions.

Sharon recently completed a year long run in Avenue Q at The Wynn Casino and Resort in Las Vegas (Mrs. T/Yellow Bear/ Kate and Lucy).

In addition to her Broadway career, Sharon is a featured soloist around the country with Symphony Orchestras, including The New Jersey Symphony, Detroit, Seattle, Portland, Naples, and Okalahoma City.

As an author, Sharon has appeared on national radio shows, TV shows, and in numerous publications. Her book, ‘Til the Fat Girl Sings; From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody, a memoir was released on June 1, 2006 to excellent reviews and was quickly named to the Wall Street Journal’ “Best Summer Reads” list and featured on Good Morning America.

Sharon also volunteers her time as a National Council member for Actor’s Equity Association, which is an elected position of about 80 members who serve to protect the rights and well being of actors across the country. Sharon is also a voter for the Tony Awards.

When not acting or writing, Sharon also speaks to young people across the country about the importance of pursuing dreams and surviving in a society that values a small waist line over individuality. She has also run numerous musical theater workshops for aspiring actors at both the college and high school level.

Sharon has been married to music director Rob Meffe for 11 years and is the proud parent of 8-year-old, Charlotte Meffe.

My Passions:

I vote for the Tony Awards, so I see a lot of Broadway Shows--a huge passion of mine. My idea of a perfect day is a good cup of coffee, a brisk walk in Central Park with my friend Eileen, an audition that goes well, a happy daughter when I pick her up from school, a good dinner (ordered in Chinese food), a win for the Yankees, and going to a Broadway show with my husband, Rob. Heaven!

The ten most important things to know about me in no particular order.
  1. I am very polite. I was raised in the Midwest, so “please” and “thank you” are a regular part of my vocabulary.
  2. Exception to the above rule. I have sidewalk rage.
    Example: If I am late to work and you are a tourist walking slowly in Times Square, I might plow you over as I run to get to the theater on time. BUT--since I am polite, I will scream "SORRY" as I blast past you.
  3. I have a really great husband who is a music director, and an adorable eight-year-old daughter. They live up to the hype, you’d like them.
  4. I worry a lot. Especially about getting attacked by sharks and mountain lions, and now that I've lived in the desert, rattle snakes.
  5. I love to go to the zoo where I can view wildlife safely behind bars.
  6. I move a lot.
  7. I really want a golden retriever.
  8. I have a cat, but she won’t chase a ball or go hiking with me.
  9. Pet Peeve-I don’t like to be treated like I’m stupid UNLESS it involves a subject I’m really stupid about like Biology.
  10. My idea of an indulgent late night treat is chocolate sorbet and a new LOST episode on my DVR. Fantastic!

My favorite books:

I want to write something impressive and scholarly, but if I am listing the books that have had the biggest impact on my life, they have to be the books I read aloud to my best friend as a kid. My best friend was a Saint Bernard named Patrick and these are the books he endured multiple dramatic readings of:

  1. The entire Little House on the Prarie Series, especially ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK (who doesn’t want to live in a dugout?) and THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS (wildly romantic).
  2. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte. Jane is a great against all odds heroine, and I like this book so much, I named my daughter Charlotte.
  3. Even as a kid I was a fan of memoirs. My favorites were ONE MORE TIME by Carol Burnett, BUBBLES by Beverly Sills, and CHILD STAR by Shirley Temple Black.
    As for what I read as an adult, I must admit that children’s books do have a place on my book shelf (and those huge Harry Potter books take up a lot of room). For a true adult read, Augusten Burroughs can’t be beat.

Best movies. This is easy. The awards go to:

  1. A Star is Born with Judy Garland and James Mason. Fabulous.
  2. Ang Lee is my favorite director and The Ice Storm and Sense and Sensibility are must sees.
  3. American Beauty for best depiction of American teenagers.
  4. The Parent Trap—both versions.
  5. Father Goose and Houseboat, both starring Cary Grant.
  6. The Sound of Music (for more detail on this, please read my book!)
  7. Christopher Guest films, especially Best In Show, Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind.
  8. Tootsie
  9. Soapdish
  10. When Harry Met Sally

My favorite music:

I like a lot of music, but I love great female singers who can tell a story with a song. My favorites are

  1. Bette Midler (Her first two albums from the 70’s or the more recent Rosemary Clooney tribute which reunites her with her long time pianist Barry Manilow.)
  2. Aretha Franklin (Greatest Hits). I love the arrangements and backup vocals.
  3. Dolly Parton (Greatest Hits). Her singing is so simple and true. She is the real deal--song writer and singer.
  4. Judy Garland (Best of) Unsurpassed.
    My favorite bands are Simply Red and Blues Traveler, and the CD playing in my car right now is The soundtrack to the Curious George Movie.

Various favorite things I think you should know about.

  1. Bobby Brown makeup, particularly the tinted moisturizer and the lipstick.
  2. Ugg clogs and Teva flip flops.
  3. Haagen-Dazs chocolate sorbet. Zap in the microwave for 40 seconds for ultimate taste.
  4. Avenue Q, the Broadway show. It’s hilarious.