In 1971, The National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing called San Leandro, California a ‘racist bastion of white supremacy’. Newsweek magazine came to town. CBS aired a one hour television documentary. The US Commission on Civil Rights conducted a hearing. And then, we moved to town. So begins Brian Copeland’s solo play Not a Genuine Black Man. In this evening of laughter, tears and sociology, Copeland takes us through his upbringing as one of the only African Americans in a town that doesn’t want his family there. It is an exploration of how our surroundings make us who we are that has become the longest running solo show in San Francisco theatrical history. The play has been performed in over 50 US cities to date including a prestigious run off Broadway. It is also the basis of a bestselling memoir that is required reading in several schools and colleges across the country. BRIAN COPELAND is an actor, playwright, author, standup comic, television and radio talk show host. As a standup comic he has toured with and been the opening act for such artists as Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Ringo Starr, Gladys Knight and Lionel Ritchie. He has written and performed four critically acclaimed solo plays including The Waiting Period (2015 THEATER BAY AREA AWARD “Best Solo Play”), The Scion (KQED “Best New San Francisco Play 2014”), the Bay Area Christmas Classic The Jewelry Box, and the acclaimed Not a Genuine Black Man, the longest running solo play in Bay Area theatrical history. Show Duration: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission. Due to mature language and scenes of domestic violence, this show is not recommended for children under the age of 14.
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In 1971, The National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing called San Leandro, California a ‘racist bastion of white supremacy’. Newsweek magazine came to town. CBS aired a one hour television documentary. The US Commission on Civil Rights conducted a hearing. And then, we moved to town. So begins Brian Copeland’s solo play Not a Genuine Black Man. In this evening of laughter, tears and sociology, Copeland takes us through his upbringing as one of the only African Americans in a town that doesn’t want his family there. It is an exploration of how our surroundings make us who we are that has become the longest running solo show in San Francisco theatrical history. The play has been performed in over 50 US cities to date including a prestigious run off Broadway. It is also the basis of a bestselling memoir that is required reading in several schools and colleges across the country. BRIAN COPELAND is an actor, playwright, author, standup comic, television and radio talk show host. As a standup comic he has toured with and been the opening act for such artists as Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Ringo Starr, Gladys Knight and Lionel Ritchie. He has written and performed four critically acclaimed solo plays including The Waiting Period (2015 THEATER BAY AREA AWARD “Best Solo Play”), The Scion (KQED “Best New San Francisco Play 2014”), the Bay Area Christmas Classic The Jewelry Box, and the acclaimed Not a Genuine Black Man, the longest running solo play in Bay Area theatrical history. Show Duration: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission. Due to mature language and scenes of domestic violence, this show is not recommended for children under the age of 14.
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2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
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