Brian Copeland to Bring NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN & THE WAITING PERIOD Back to The Marsh

The Marsh presents the return of award-winning performer Brian Copeland in two of his acclaimed solo pieces: NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN returns to The Marsh for a 10th anniversary revival performed in rep with THE WAITING PERIOD, Copeland's acclaimed, unflinching look at depression. Says Copeland, "With the devastating loss of Robin Williams, I hope we can now finally start a national dialogue about this largely misunderstood disease." Performances of THE WAITING PERIOD will honor the families of those who have lost loved ones to depression. Both shows, featuring humorous, poignant, and riveting insights, are written by Brian Copeland and directed by David Ford. Performances will take place Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm and Saturdays at 5pm at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia Street. For tickets (individual shows: $30-$40, reserved: $60-$100), the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055.

NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN (Thursdays and Fridays, 8pm)

Based on Copeland's childhood, this funny, honest piece recounts the struggles he faced growing up in San Leandro in the 1970s, when it was known as one of the most racist suburbs in the country. Copeland and his family faced harassment and isolation in their efforts to carve out their identities in a racially hostile environment. This critically acclaimed exploration of race and identity is a unique blend of laughter, tears and social commentary and debuted at the Marsh 10 years ago, going on to become the longest running solo play in San Francisco theatrical history. Successful runs in Los Angeles and Off Broadway and a bestselling book adaptation followed. NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN has been performed in over 30 cities across America and now returns to The Marsh for a short 10th Anniversary Engagement.

THE WAITING PERIOD (Saturdays, 5pm)

This riveting drama provides an unrelenting look at a key turning point in Copeland's life-the mandatory ten-day waiting period before he could lay his hands on the newly purchased gun with which he planned to take his own life. Laced with surprisingly funny moments that serve as a buffer against the grim reality of his intentions, Copeland hopes this very personal, and ultimately redemptive, story will reach people who struggle with depression-often called the last stigmatized disease-as well as their families and loved ones. For the first time, each performance of THE WAITING PERIOD will be dedicated to a family who has lost a loved one to suicide, and part of the proceeds will go to a charity of the family's choice. As critic Sam Hurwitt put it in The Idiolect: "It's a play I'd strongly recommend to anyone who is now or has ever been depressed or who knows someone in that situation. But honestly, it's such a strong piece that I'd recommend it just as heartily to anyone who's ever been human."

Brian Copeland has been in show business since he first stepped on the comedy stage at age 18. Soon, he was headlining clubs and concerts across the country and opening for such artists as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Ringo Starr, and Aretha Franklin, in venues from The Universal Amphitheater to Constitution Hall in Washington DC. Copeland then branched off into television, appearing on comedy programs on NBC, A&E and MTV. He spent five years as co-host of San Francisco FOX affiliate KTVU breakfast program Mornings on 2 and two years hosting San Francisco ABC affiliate KGO's Emmy Award winning afternoon talk show 7Live. In 1995, KGO Radio premiered "The Brian Copeland Show." With his unique blend of humor and riveting talk, the program remains the most listened to program in its time slot, reaching more than 100,000 listeners.

David Ford is a director, collaborator, and Goldie Award-winning playwright who has worked on countless solo shows over his 25-year career in the business. Frequently working on projects at The Marsh, Ford has collaborated with many Bay Area favorites including Charlie Varon, Marilyn Pitman, Geoff Hoyle, and Cherry Terror.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus