Brian Copeland (award-winning actor, comedian, author, playwright, television and radio talk show host) debuted Not a Genuine Black Man (Genuine) in 2004. The play explores his childhood experiences as a member of one of the only African American families in the suburb of San Leandro, California. This tale of laughter, tears, and sociology went on to become the longest-running solo show in San Francisco theatrical history with over 800 performances. The play has since been performed in over 30 cities, including a critically acclaimed run Off-Broadway and is currently in television series development. In addition, Copeland published a best-selling book based on Genuine that is now required reading in several high schools and colleges across the country. 

This one man play offers a candid and funny response to those who question the racial authenticity of successful black men. After receiving a letter asserting that he is “not a genuine black man,” Copeland (comic, actor, radio, talk show host) tries to understand the qualifications needed to earn the classification: “I can’t swim. That’s black. But I can’t play basketball either.”

With agility, Copeland plays over 20 characters in the two-hour show including himself, himself as an 8-year-old, his mother, his sister, his grandmother, his son, his father, his landlord, 3 policemen, 2 lawyers, his father, a waitress, a pastor, a hate-letter writer, and several irate neighbors. He also fragments the narrative in time, flashing back and forth between his childhood and his current status as a successful performer, family man and business man. And he keeps it all together for the audience.

The show will be followed by a brief Q & A and book signing. VIP tickets include premium seating and book. Purchase Tickets here or call 916-667-8977 for more information or to purchase by check.