"Here's An Entertaining And Exciting Way To Give A Fresh Perspective On Mental Illness and Help Break the Stigma in 70 Minutes." Balancing Act - The Musical written and performed by Wambui Bahati This is a true story about a spirited survivor. Some said she was dead. Others said she was on drugs. She was told she would spend the rest of her life in and out of mental institutions. She went from Broadway star to welfare mom. She has been homeless. She has dined with a former president of the United States. Wambui Bahati, a.k.a. John-Ann Washington, tells the real story in BALANCING ACT - THE MUSICAL

(The tell-all book is HERE!)

A wonderful, uplifting story that happens
to be about mental illness.

In this one-woman musical, Wambui shares her powerful story of growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina and launching a theatrical career on Broadway, only to have her success cut short by mental illness. At times hilariously funny and always relentlessly honest, Balancing Act presents an intelligent, informative portrayal of bipolar mood disorder and its effects on Bahati's self-esteem, career, relationships and day-to-day coping. From her ordeal, she emerges with strength and awareness of an inner power she did not know she had. Wambui 're-invents' herself, becomes healthy, happy, and an inspiration for others. (Drawing by Charlotte Harrel)

Congratulations on an outstanding success. Everyone in our group of 5 (including 3 psychiatrists) thought the performance was wonderful. Ms. Bahati struck a spectacular balance between educating and entertaining, in my judgment the highest purpose of theater. She has put her life in the service of others doing what she does best, and it works. I would recommend it to anyone.

—Burton Reifler
Dr. Reifler is chairman of the Department of Psychiatry &
Behavioral Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine

I can't begin to tell you how much people appreciated your performance at our USPRA Conference. You expertly combined your talent with a message of hope and possibilty. You are our conference theme - Recovery: Reaching New Heights - Thanks so much for touching many lives.

—Ev Bussema
USPRA (US Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association)

We recently had Wambui Bahati come to Port Huron to do her show Balancing Act. It was absolutely amazing.

It far surpassed even our wildest expectations. It was fabulous, it was professional and it touched everyone in the audience.

It left us wishing we had booked her for two days because I think many people would have come to see her a second day - or word of mouth would have really expanded the audience the next day. We were very happy with the attendance. We had over 400 people.

Wambui and the musicians came back to our clubhouse and met with people, signed autographs and spoke to them personally. They were very personable.

It was just an all-around wonderful experience. The performance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. We couldn't be happier.

- Lynn Vinson
Blue Water Clubhouse and Community Mental Health of St. Clair County,
Port Huron, MI