Em O'Loughlin Was a Big Fatty Boombah!

As Emily O'Loughlin likes to tell it, she is a "very proud F.F.—or former fatso." At her top weight—at age 39—the Aussie actor was 352 pounds, which she says is the "same weight as a large-size refrigerator, perhaps with a turkey inside." (She's since dropped to 165 pounds.)

In her hourlong solo show, the talented comedian recounts her life story through the prism of her struggle with weight. Much of it involves fat jokes at her own expense: "I was less a couch potato and more of a couch." The best moments are descriptions of her family, especially her idiosyncratic grandmothers—one Scottish, one Irish. It would have been great to hear more of that.

O'Loughlin is able to weave a delightful tale out of a very painful experience. She has a gift for mimicry and flawless comic timing. And she makes great use of visual aids. However, she skirts over the details of her journey back from being so morbidly obese. That's a shame. It would have made the show a richer experience.

Presented by BLM as part of the New York International Fringe Festival at the Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St., NYC. Aug. 14–27. Remaining performances: Thu., Aug. 18, 9:45 p.m.; Wed., Aug. 24, 3:30 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 27, 9:45 p.m. (866) 468-7619 or www.fringenyc.com.