THE LONGEST RUNNING SOLO SHOW IN SAN FRANCISCO THEATER HISTORY COMES TO SANTA ROSA FOR A SPECIAL LIMITED ENGAGEMENT FEBRUARY 1 AT 8PM

Brian Copeland’s Not A Genuine Black Man Shares a Hilarious, Poignant, and Personal Story of Racism and Racial Identity in America

Santa Rosa, Ca. (January 9, 2008) – Actor, comedian, writer, and talk show host Brian Copeland is coming to the stage at Santa Rosa’s Wells Fargo Center for the Arts for one night only to perform his acclaimed monologue Not A Genuine Black Man, February 1 at 8pm. This universal comedy about overcoming obstacles was a smash hit Off Broadway and San Francisco’s longest running solo show. Hilarious, poignant, and disarming, Copeland’s riveting performance shares a very personal story of racism and racial identity in America.

"In 1971, the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing called San Leandro, 'California's racist bastion of white supremacy'. CBS News and Newsweek covered the story. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights conducted hearings. And then, we moved to town,” begins Copeland’s story. He was eight years old when his family moved from Oakland to San Leandro, hoping for a better life. At the time, San Leandro was 99.4 percent white, known nationwide as a racist enclave. This reputation was confirmed almost immediately as Brian got his first look at the inside of a cop car, for being a black kid walking to the park with a baseball bat.

Brian grew up to be a successful comedian and radio talk show host on San Francisco’s KGO, but racism reemerged as an issue only in reverse when he received an anonymous letter: "As an African American, I am disgusted every time I hear your voice because YOU are not a genuine Black man!" That letter inspired Copeland to revisit his difficult childhood, resulting in his hit one-man show. Not A Genuine Black Man has had successful runs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, and inspired rave reviews.

“…a beautiful mix of wry humor and heartbreak, indignation and inspiration, a singular story of extreme isolation that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt out of place,” said the San Francisco Chronicle.

"Copeland's ability to captivate an audience rivals many a celebrated solo predecessor from Ruth Draper to Spalding Gray to Whoopi Goldberg...Copeland is a GENUINE discovery." - Los Angeles Times

"This is a wildly funny, agonizingly heart-wrenching presentation...a jewel of a show."
- Contra Costa Times

Not a Genuine Black Man is also the subject of an acclaimed memoir and is being developed by Rob Reiner as a feature film and a series for HBO. On Christmas Day 2007, Copeland made his feature film debut in Rob Reiner's new movie, The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Copeland plays the role of Freeman's son.

Copeland performed two sold out performances of Not A Genuine Black Man in the Wells Fargo Center for the Art’s intimate Carston Cabaret in 2006, prior to his successful run Off Broadway.  His upcoming performance will be held in the Arts Center’s 1600 seat main theater.

Tickets ($10, $25, $35) for Brian Copeland’s Not A Genuine Black Man, February 1 at 8pm are available at the Box Office located at 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa, by phone at 707-546-3600, and online at wellsfargocenterarts.org

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The non-profit Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is Sonoma County's premier arts organization presenting world-class performances, contemporary sculpture, festivals, and events to 500,000 residents and visitors each year. Together with its resident companies, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts provides more than 100 annual performances, serves to present intriguing contemporary art, and is one of California's largest providers of arts education programs for children. Located in the heart of the Wine Country, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts campus features spacious auditoriums, an intimate cabaret, and outdoor festival grounds with a big-top tent. Unlike many similar organizations, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is not aligned with any federal, state, or municipal entity-such as a city or university. The Center was created by and is supported by the community it serves, making it uniquely positioned as an independent, entrepreneurial-focused, non-profit arts organization. We serve to Enrich, Educate and Entertain - Connecting Our Community through the Arts.