Raising a child alone is a struggle. Raising multiple children alone is an odyssey.
Written & Performed by Brian Copeland Sound/Lightboard Operator: TBA
March 20 – April 25, 2020 | San Francisco Fridays at 8pm | Saturdays at 5pm
Previews – March 20,21,27,28, April 3, 2020 Opening – April 4th, 2020
Show Description
In Brian Copeland’s highly anticipated new play, he examines the issue of single parenting through a very personal story.
In 1979, Brian’s mother died suddenly, leaving behind 5 children for his 57-year-old grandmother to raise alone. 22 years later, Brian finds himself in the same predicament when the end of a marriage leaves him alone with his three kids. Through laughter and tears, he compares and contrasts trials of single parenting in the 1970s and the dawn of the 21st century as he tries to answer the question…What does it truly mean to be a father?
Artist Biography
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.
Show Info
Tickets: $20 – $35 sliding scale | $55 & $100 Reserved Seating March 20 – April 25, 2020 | San Francisco Main Stage Fridays at 8pm | Saturdays at 5pm
2 hours | 1 Intermission | Ages 15+ Please do not bring infants to the show
For more information on the sliding scale ticketing policy, late seating and reserved seating please click here.
Buy Tix by phone: Monday – Friday 1 – 4pm, 415.282.3055 (Additional service fees apply)
Written & Performed by Brian Copeland Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 7:30pm 2 Hours | 1 intermission | Ages 15+ Tickets: $15
Show Description
In Brian Copeland’s highly anticipated new play, he examines the issue of single parenting through a very personal story.
In 1979, Brian’s mother died suddenly, leaving behind 5 children for his 57 year-old grandmother to raise alone. 22 years later, Brian finds himself in the same predicament when the end of a marriage leaves him alone with his three kids. Through laughter and tears, he compares and contrasts trials of single parenting in the 1970s and the dawn of the 21st century as he tries to answer the question…What does it truly mean to be a father.
Marsh Risings are One-Night-Only performances of rising talent at The Marsh. Marsh Rising presents works in progress that may be ready for an extended run. For information about putting on a Marsh Rising show, email David Hirata at david@themarsh.org
FREE Tickets! Donate $55/$100 for reserved seating
October 26 & 27 | San Francisco Saturday at 8:30pm | Sunday at 5pm
***“Because this is a free performance, some people reserve seats and later decide not to show up. When this happens, it takes away a seat from someone who is in despair and desperately needs to hear the message of this play. It is for that reason that we ask that you PLEASE DO NOT RESERVE ANY SEAT FOR THIS PLAY THAT YOU ARE NOT 100% CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL FILL.”
“After Robin Williams’s Suicide, Brian Copeland Revives His Show About Depression.” — Newsweek
“Until last night I never really realized I was suffering from depression and I needed to talk to someone. I called and made an appointment this morning to talk to a doctor…It was like a weight being lifted off my back… the show made a difference in my life …it was life changing.” — P.N from Los Positas College
“I learned a lot from tonight’s show. We have to support our family and friends. We have to take notice of anything different about that person…The show teaches us the ways that we can get help…” — P.K. from Las Positas College
“I think this show is a powerful testimony that even though you may be in a really dark place, you can still find hope in those times.” — L.H. from Los Positas College
“…tonight’s show was definitely an effective way to educate people about depression and mental health. ..since mental health issues are not discussed normally, it was very helpful to discuss and showcase it in order to educate people and help those who may be suffering from depression or another mental illness and didn’t know it…I’d definitely recommend anyone to watch his show and hear what he has to say.” — C.G. from Los Positas College
“…the show hit close to home for me …I wish I could have taken my parents.” — T.K. from Los Positas College
Show Description
This show is an unrelenting look at a ten-day period 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. Even in the midst of this tragedy, however, his wonderful sense of the comedy of life does not desert him (how much should he spend on the gun?), indeed serves him insidiously well as a buffer against the grim reality of his intention. 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. Interspersed with interviews with other sufferers, the play, like so many Marsh stories, also offers outsiders an insider’s view, thereby expanding our understanding and, hopefully, our humanity. 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.”
Artist Biography
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”.
It’s 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.
Show Info
Tickets: Free for General Admission | $55 & $100 Reserved Seating October 26 & 27| San Francisco Mainstage Saturday at 8:30pm | Sunday at 5pm 75 minutes | No Intermission | Recommended Ages 14+ | Please Do Not Bring Infants to the Show
For more information on the sliding scale ticketing policy, late seating and reserved seating please click here.:
To purchase tickets online, please click on a date below (please review price descriptions above):
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.
Artist Biography
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”. It’s 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 the Christmas play THE JEWELRY BOX, opening in November 2013.
Buy Tix Online: To purchase tickets online, please click on a date below (please review price descriptions above):
No upcoming events
AEC v1.0.4
Buy Tix by phone: Monday – Friday 1 – 4pm, 415.282.3055 (Additional service fees apply)
Click the date for tickets | San Francisco Select Sundays | Free Tickets
Because this is a free performance, some people reserve seats and later decide not to show up. When this happens, it takes away a seat from someone who is in despair and desperately needs to hear the message of this play. It is for that reason that we ask that you PLEASE DO NOT RESERVE ANY SEAT FOR THIS PLAY THAT YOU ARE NOT 100% CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL FILL.”
“After Robin Williams’s Suicide, Brian Copeland Revives His Show About Depression.” — Newsweek
“Until last night I never really realized I was suffering from depression and I needed to talk to someone. I called and made an appointment this morning to talk to a doctor…It was like a weight being lifted off my back… the show made a difference in my life …it was life changing.” — P.N from Los Positas College
“I learned a lot from tonight’s show. We have to support our family and friends. We have to take notice of anything different about that person…The show teaches us the ways that we can get help…” — P.K. from Las Positas College
“I think this show is a powerful testimony that even though you may be in a really dark place, you can still find hope in those times.” — L.H. from Los Positas College
“…tonight’s show was definitely an effective way to educate people about depression and mental health. ..since mental health issues are not discussed normally, it was very helpful to discuss and showcase it in order to educate people and help those who may be suffering from depression or another mental illness and didn’t know it…I’d definitely recommend anyone to watch his show and hear what he has to say.” — C.G. from Los Positas College
“…the show hit close to home for me …I wish I could have taken my parents.” — T.K. from Los Positas College
Show Description
This show is an unrelenting look at a ten-day period 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. Even in the midst of this tragedy, however, his wonderful sense of the comedy of life does not desert him (how much should he spend on the gun?), indeed serves him insidiously well as a buffer against the grim reality of his intention. 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. Interspersed with interviews with other sufferers, the play, like so many Marsh stories, also offers outsiders an insider’s view, thereby expanding our understanding and, hopefully, our humanity. 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.”
Artist Biography
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”.
It’s 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 the Christmas play THE JEWELRY BOX, opening in November 2013.
His first network special, NOW BRIAN COPELAND will air in NBC in January 2015.
Show Info
Tickets: Free for General Admission | $55 & $100 Reserved Seating Ongoing – See below for Dates | San Francisco Mainstage Select Sundays at 5:30pm 75 minutes | No Intermission | Recommended Ages 14+ | Please Do Not Bring Infants to the Show
THE JEWELRY BOX 
