Brian Copeland’s
The Jewelry Box: A Genuine Christmas Story
Back for 2 Nights Only!
In Person at the San Francisco Mainstage & Berkeley Mainstage
Written and Performed by Brian Copeland
Directed by David Ford
BERKELEY MAINSTAGE
December 15
Friday at 7pm
Click for Berkeley Tickets
SAN FRANCISCO MAINSTAGE
December 23
Saturday at 5pm
Click for San Francisco Tickets
Show Information
Tickets: $25 – $35 General Seating sliding scale | $50 & $100 Reserved Seating
70 minutes | No Intermission | Ages 12+
Please do not bring infants to the show
Online ticket sales close 2 hours before each performance,
and additional tickets may be available for purchase at the door.
Masks are REQUIRED at this show.
Show Reviews
“glitters with bright comedy, sharply observed local color and deftly drawn characters as well as genuine warmth.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“Smashing! This is a brave show, a funny show, and one that lives in your mind throughout the year.” — Stark Insider
“a gift in itself” — San Francisco Chronicle
About the Show
In this hilariously heartwarming story, a prequel to Copeland’s hit solo show Not a Genuine Black Man, a young Brian heads to the “mean streets” of Oakland to buy his mom a Christmas present. When he finds the perfect gift – a jewelry box in the White Front store – six-year-old Brian sets out to earn the required $11.97 by Christmas Eve. THE JEWELRY BOX follows Brian’s adventures as he scours the “help wanted” ads, applies for jobs, and collects bottles, inching his way toward the perfect Christmas gift.
About the Performer
Brian Copeland has been in show business since he first stepped on the comedy stage at the tender age of 18. Soon he was headlining clubs and concerts across the country and opening for such artists as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Ringo Starr, and the Queen of soul Aretha Franklin, in venues from The Universal Amphitheater to Constitution Hall in Washington DC. Soon, Copeland 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 talker 7Live. In 1995, ABC affiliate KGO Radio premiered “The Brian Copeland Show”. Its unique mix of talk and entertainment soon made it the most listened to program in its time slot. Copeland branched out into theater in 2004 with his first solo play, NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN. This critically acclaimed exploration of race and identity created an audience pleasing blend of laughter, tears and sociology that led to the show becoming the longest running solo play in San Francisco theatrical history. Successful runs in Los Angeles and Off Broadway and a bestselling book adaptation followed. GENUINE has been performed in over 30 cities across America. Copeland’s other theatrical work includes THE WAITING PERIOD, a solo play about his lifelong struggle with depression and Grandma & Me, which premiered in 2022 at The Marsh.
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.