Balancing Act - the Musical, An Entertaining, Inspiring One-Woman
Show About Mental Illness
"Bahati presented a tour de force that galvanized the room."~John Hoglund (BACKSTAGE - New York)This one-person show, "Balancing Act - the Musical," explores essential themes like family, personal identity, mental health, and financial struggles. We learn about Wambui's life and her challenges through immersive scenes and original songs. The story is compelling and sheds light on issues many people face. Wambui's perseverance shows the importance of family, pursuing personal goals, and seeking help when needed. Her journey also highlights the need for better support for those dealing with mental health and financial problems. Overall, Wambui's story is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.
This is the story of how mental illness stole her life and how she took her life back!
How Balancing Act - the Musical was Born
In 1996, as Wambui Bahati was recovering from years of dealing with emotional and mental health issues, doctors, hospitals and large amounts of medication, she was asked the question: "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" Her answer was, "Perform again."
However, because of her mental health history, she was certain that no one would hire her again. So she decided to create her own musical show for herself. Advice from other writers was, "Write what you know about." After more than 35 years as a patient in the mental health system, she decided to share her story.
In 1997, Beth Melcher, the president of the North Carolina National Alliance for the Mentally Ill saw the debut performance of Balancing Act in Greensboro, NC. The following week she applied for a grant to sponsor a ten city tour of the show in North Carolina.
After the North Carolina tour (1998-1999), other cities requested the show. The show has been presented as the ‘keynote’ performance at major conventions and conferences across the United States.
Based on the success of the show, Wambui was awarded the 2001 Lionel Aldridge Award. This national honor recognizes individuals who provide extraordinary service and courage on behalf of people with mental illnesses.
- 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
". . . a sometimes humorous, yet always honest true story of how mental illness (severe bipolar disorder) stole Wambui's life - and how she took her life back!" - The inspiration for the book, You Don't Know Crazy
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.
“Balancing Act is powerful and funny and moving, and tells the story of bipolar mood disorder without prettying it up,” said Beth Melcher, executive director of NAMI of North Carolina. “Besides portraying the disorder so well, the story is a story anybody can relate to.”
—News-Argus
Goldsboro, NC
"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
"Four Hundred people packed the Wayne Community College Auditorium for “Balancing Act.” Ms. Bahati’s dynamic and moving performance elicited several rounds of applause, and the audience gave her a standing ovation."
—Marian Westbrook
Wayne Community College
