CANDACE JOHNSON IS AN ADHDIVA!
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID (EVEN IF IT WANDERS)

Now playing at The Marsh Berkeley is Scat-ter Brain: The Music of ADHD, written and performed by Candace Johnson. This semi-autobiographical piece traces her journey of self-discovery before and after being diagnosed with inattentive-type ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) at age 40. A multi-talented singer, musician, and performance artist, Johnson has created a unique and funny musical that mixes song, dance, and education about this much-discussed but often misunderstood disorder.

From the start, she bursts onstage with high energy, treating the audience like her students. Over the next 90 minutes, she delivers a funny, frenetic show, juggling notes and rummaging through a messy purse while attempting to give a coherent “lesson” on performing a musical. Her scatterbrained delivery isn’t just an act—it’s her reality, and we come to see that this whirlwind energy is authentically her.

At times she’s like Lucy hawking “Vitameatavegamin” on I Love Lucy. A tour-de-force, Johnson plays the piano, belts out songs, and quite literally sings for her supper. Along the way, she introduces the important figures in her life—her therapist, her life coach, and her children—each trying in their own way to understand her ADHD. These characters become pieces of her very complicated puzzle. Through this journey, Johnson claims her voice not only as a woman, but also as a person of color and a neurodivergent artist.

Like many who have overcome stigma, Johnson has learned to embrace her identity—and her message is contagious. Her call for healing in marginalized communities is inspiring. While we laugh at her impeccable comic timing, we also celebrate her victories. Scat-ter Brain is a show not to be missed.

Scat-ter Brain: The Music of ADHD
The Marsh Berkeley Mainstage
Sat at 8 (dark on August 30)
ends on September 13, 2025
for tickets, visit The Marsh