Broadway Actress, Singer and Playwright Wambui Bahati Performs Plays In Observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week and Domestic Violence Month

"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." -- Dr. Burton Reifler, Chairman, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

NEW YORK, NY (PRWEB) October 14, 2004 -- Throughout October, Wambui Bahati delivers poignant messages on two very serious and sensitive subjects - mental illness and domestic violence - both of which she experienced and now shares in a unique and entertaining manner - theatrical performance. Sharing much of her dramatic past, Wambui Bahati mesmerizes audiences with her honest, compelling and comical renditions in which she portrays Mental Illness and Domestic Violence. This month she performs before varied audiences at a wide array of venues in her hometown of Greensboro, NC, Murfreesboro, TN, Toledo, OH, Tuscumbia, AL, and Port Huron, MI.

In conjunction with the Junior League of Greensboro, the Champion Coalition - a Guilford County, NC community collaboration that addresses the effects of domestic violence on youth - arranged a series of engagements for Bahati, which include appearances at a teen summit at Smith High School; before the Greensboro Rotary Club at the Greensboro Coliseum; during dinner for the homeless at a local shelter; a special performance for Guilford County, NC judges at the courthouse; and at Greensboro Childrens Museum. Bahati will also perform at Middle Tennessee State University. Throughout October, she is taping radio and television segments on domestic violence.

Earlier this month, Bahati answered a call to perform at the McMorran Entertainment Center in Port Huron, MI. Port Huron surprised her with a dozen billboards (pictured above) throughout the city that displayed her likeness and announced her engagement.

In "Balancing Act," Bahati shares her powerful story of launching a theatrical career only to have her success cut short by mental illness. At times hilariously funny despite its serious subject matter, Balancing Act presents an intelligent, informative portrayal of bipolar mood disorder. This show was held over for an extended run at New York's "Don't Tell Mama" cabaret theater.

In "I Am Domestic Violence," she takes on the powerful persona of Domestic Violence - a character who speaks proudly and arrogantly of destroying lives with very little resistance. While the play deals with a most disturbing subject, Ms. Bahati has developed a technique of informing, enlightening and engaging the audience in a way that is genuinely entertaining.

As an inspirational speaker, the highly sought-after talent enriches her presentations with insightful and dramatic illustrations, stories, songs and humor.

A riveting storyteller, Bahati easily brings to life fabulous fables, magical myths, timeless tales and lively legends - selected expressly for the specific audiences she addresses. Bahati possesses the uncanny ability to create customized shows and presentations based on a specific theme or topic.

ABOUT WAMBUI BAHATI:
Wambui Bahati, whose birth name was John-Ann Washington is an actress, singer, writer, inspirational speaker and universal storyteller. Although she has performed since childhood, Bahati began her formal theatrical studies at New York University School of the Arts and made her professional theatrical debut in Godspell at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. She went on to perform in the Broadway productions of Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Bahati's stock, regional and touring credits include featured roles in The Magic Show, Joseph Papp's rock version of Two Gentlemen of Verona, Little Ham, Nunsense, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, Gone With the Wind, The Wiz and most recently Crowns at the Guthrie Theater.

Bahati wrote, produced and stars in the one-woman musicals Balancing Act and I Am Domestic Violence. Both of these shows have received national acclaim for their uniqueness in providing outstanding entertainment while dealing with important issues in our communities.

Wambui - which means "Singer of Songs" in Swahili - lives in Harlem, New York City and is the mother of two daughters - Marie and Julie. She is currently completing her inspirational/self-help book titled "Loving Yourself Through the Madness."

BOOK MISS INSPIRATION:
Following the completion of stage performance and literary commitments, Wambui Bahati will again be available for engagements beginning December 2004. Please CLICK HERE: www.wambui.com/Bookingform.htm to invite "Miss Inspiration" to speak or perform at your special event.

At your leisure, please visit Wambui Bahati's web site. www.wambui.com

Wambui Bahati is available for telephone and in-person interviews.
Press kits will be mailed to media and booking agents upon request.
Please contact Toni Beckham | 408-499-3664 | Toni@PRetCetera.com

###