"Is There Fat in That?" is the true musical story of: a child theater star at 8, a National Preteen Queen at 12, a starving New York Model at 24... and an eating disorder patient at 28. Touching, courageous and outrageously funny!



From Ellen:
In the summer of 2005, I left my life of performing and modeling in New York City and abruptly moved back home to Maine. After years of secretly battling an eating disorder, I realized I was losing the fight and knew I needed serious help. I came home to find it.

Help came in many different forms - private therapy, support from family and friends, participating in the New England Eating Disorder Program at Mercy Hospital, and most unexpectedly, in a show.

While in Maine and embarking on the difficult journey of healing, I found myself in desperate need of a creative outlet to express my emotions at the time. My good friend and director, Brian P Allen, said "Write." I did. Together, we created Is There Fat In That?

My goal for Fat is clear - to put a spotlight on this taboo subject, release the shame that accompanies it, help others and…have fun while doing it!

Every single one of us has a story to tell. Is There Fat In That? is my story. I hope it entertains. I hope it educates. I hope it makes you laugh out loud, cry, hum a few songs and leave the theater believing in the power of knowing and loving who you are. It is never too late.


Read Ellen's story on the National Eating Disorder Association's
"Stories of Hope" >>



From The Director:
Is There Fat In That? began, as I remember it, sitting around the office talking with Ellen about her years in NYC.

I have known Ellen since she was 8 years-old. We did summer stock together at the Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick, ME. We have been close for 30 years! When Ellen was back in Maine dealing with her food issues, I gave her a job working in the Good Theater office. We started talking and she would share stories about her experiences in the world of theater and modeling. The stories were so funny, and she always told them with warmth and without malice, which made them even funnier. I encouraged her to write them down.

After a while we would meet once a week and Ellen would share with me what she had written. I'd find songs that I thought might punctuate the story or enhance it or simply go along with the story to make for a musical addition to what she was telling. When she moved back to NYC, we continued to work on the show via phone and e-mail. In the winter of 2009, we did a workshop production of the show with an audience. The response was excellent, but we both knew this was the first step in the process of getting the show out there. Ellen continued to write and rewrite, cutting, adding and tweaking the material. Two years later in the winter of 2011, we debuted FAT as part of the Good Theater season. The show, despite several snow storms, was a sell-out.

After every performance there would be people waiting to talk with Ellen to let her know how much they identified with her story. No, they weren't super models or actors in NYC, but the story Ellen tells is so universal that everyone can relate to her on some level. I believe that Ellen is an every-woman/person. She is gorgeous but open, talented and accessible. She draws people in and the honesty with which she tells her story comes through. She can touch your heart and tickle your funny bone all in the same sentence.

Ellen is blessed with an extraordinary singing voice. To use music to help tell her story just enhances the performance and shows how truly multi-talented this woman is.

I remember her performing as a child. She didn't just play Ellen as many young performers often play themselves. She created characters that were completely different from her own persona. She belted out songs to the back row and was poised beyond her years. Fortunately she has never lost those traits and qualities.

I guarantee you will have a winning performance if you book Ellen and Is There Fat In That?.

-- Brian P. Allen