Sharon Wheatley ( born December 7 , 1967 ) is an American actress , singer , and writer known for her work on the Broadway stage and in the New York theatre scene . She is currently ( 2019 ) performing in the Tony Award winning Broadway musical '' Come from Away '' , where she originated the role of Diane , a friendly Texan who finds love when the transcontinental flight she is aboard is suddenly diverted to Gander , Newfoundland , due to the events of September 11 , 2001 . Wheatley , who has been with the production since its first professional production at the La Jolla Playhouse in the spring of 2015 , is expected to continue with the production throughout 2019 . Wheatley published her memoir , '' 'Til the Fat Girl Sings : From an Overweight Nobody to a Broadway Somebody '' , in 2006 , to positive reviews from outlets such as the '' Wall Street Journal '' , '' Good Morning America '' , and '' BroadwayWorld ''
events of September 11 , 2001
September 11 attacks
Sharon Wheatley