The Waiting Period

The Marsh San Francisco
1062 Valencia Street San Francisco

Brian Copeland's landmark play about depression comes to The Marsh, to be performed in rep with the 10th anniversary of Copeland's acclaimed play about race, Not a Genuine Black Man (also listed on Goldstar). Copeland, a multi-talented actor, playwright, author and talk-show host, has basked in the glow of both public and critical acclaim for nearly a decade. However, like many other well-known figures, he suffers from debilitating bouts of depression. This show gives an unrelenting look at a 10-day period in his life: the mandatory waiting period before he could lay his hands on a new gun with which he planned to commit suicide. Even in the throes of such tragic plans, though, his sense of humor does not desert him (how much would be appropriate to spend on the gun?), and in fact protects him from the grim reality of his intention. There is laughter in the darkness and Copeland finds it. Interspersed with interviews with other people suffering from depression, the play also offers outsiders an insider's view, thereby expanding the audience's understanding and, hopefully, humanity.