Charlie Varon News

The Marsh San Francisco announces the return of Not a Genuine Black Man, the longest running solo show in San Francisco theater history by award-winning actor, playwright, and talk show host Brian Copeland. This funny, honest, and harrowing piece recounts the struggles Copeland faced growing up in what was declared one of the most racist suburbs in America.

A captivating tale of a harrowing recovery, the hit solo show My Stroke of Luck will return to The Marsh Berkeley for a 2019 run. Not everyone knows that the average person loses 1.9 million brain cells every minute a stroke goes untreated, but Diane Barnes did.

With its initial and extension runs now largely sold out, The Marsh San Francisco has added six additional Wednesday performances of Border People, the newest solo show by award-winning actor and playwright Dan Hoyle.

With its initial run virtually sold out just days after opening, The Marsh San Francisco announces that it has extended Border People, the newest solo show by award-winning actor and playwright Dan Hoyle, into April 2019. Based on Hoyle's conversations with immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and border crossers of all kinds, the show has been greeted with unanimous critical acclaim, earning the highest rating from the San Francisco Chronicle, noting "This is what it is to witness a master of his craft. Dan Hoyle is one of our theatrical gems," and praised the production as "

BORDER PEOPLE, written and performed by Dan Hoyle, is based on his conversations with people who straddle, confront or live in the liminal border spaces where they deal with rejection and acceptance, hope and fear.

The Marsh Berkeley has announced that due to popular demand it has scheduled an extended run of Lisa Rothman's hit show, Dragon in the Drop-Off Lane. This hilarious and cautionary tale describes what happens when Rothman's Oakland-raised kids venture into the fairytale world of Marin, where all the children seem to know how to sew, speak in a "Crystal Cave whisper," and decorate their (vegan) gingerbread men with stevia icing, carob chips, and unsweetened coconut flakes. Of course, no fairytale would be complete without a fairy godmother to help Rothman reckon with her parenting choices.

The Marsh San Francisco presents the World Premiere of Border People, the newest solo show by award-winning actor and playwright Dan Hoyle, based on his conversations with immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and border crossers of all kinds. Hoyle began work on the show after the election of Trump in November 2016; as the American immigration debate has grown more heated, Hoyle has worked with increased urgency to complete the work and bring it to the stage. Border People, directed and co-developed by Charlie Varon, will be presented January 11 - February 23, 2019 (press opening: January 25) with performances at 8:00pm Thursdays, 8:00pm Todays, and 5:00pm Saturdays at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. For tickets ($25-$35 sliding scale Thursdays and Todays; $30-$35 sliding scale Saturdays; $55 and $100 reserved) or more information, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Today, 1pm-4pm).

The Marsh San Francisco announces a one-night-only Marsh benefit performance of Not a Genuine Black Man, the longest running solo show in San Francisco theater history by award-winning actor, playwright, and talk show host Brian Copeland. This funny, honest, and harrowing piece recounts the struggles Copeland faced growing up in what was declared one of the most racist suburbs in America. "In the current political climate, empathy seems to be a lost commodity. By showing people the world through the eyes of a bullied and lonely little African-American boy, I hope they will develop compassion for the demonized 'other,'" says Copeland. The San Francisco Chronicle described the show as "relentlessly introspective and disarmingly honest, Copeland takes apart the false notion that black masculinity is some monolithic concept, in a way that has continued, unfortunately, to be relevant long after the show's 2004 premiere." Not a Genuine Black Man will play as a Marsh benefit performance for one-night-only at 8:00pm, Thursday, January 10, 2019 at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. For tickets ($30-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved) or more information, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Friday, 1pm-4pm).

The Marsh Berkeley has announced that due to popular demand it has scheduled an extended run of Lisa Rothman's hit show, Dragon in the Drop-Off Lane. This hilarious and cautionary tale describes what happens when Rothman's Oakland-raised kids venture into the fairytale world of Marin, where all the children seem to know how to sew, speak in a "Crystal Cave whisper," and decorate their (vegan) gingerbread men with stevia icing, carob chips, and unsweetened coconut flakes. Of course, no fairytale would be complete without a fairy godmother to help Rothman reckon with her parenting choices.

The Marsh San Francisco adds five free performances of Brian Copeland's The Waiting Period, due to ongoing support from a GoFundMe campaign and generous corporate contributions from Fremont Bank and OSIsoft in San Leandro. This deeply moving and surprisingly funny work outlines Copeland's own struggles with depression and suicidal thought, and is presented at no cost to remove all barriers for those who may be struggling with depression themselves. Featuring humorous, poignant, and riveting insights, the solo show written by Copeland and directed by David Ford, will take place January 6 & 20,  February 3, March 3 & 17, 2019 with performances at 5:30pm, Sundays at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia Street. General admission for this performance is free, although reservations are recommended. To reserve tickets or for more information, the public may visit the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Friday, 1pm-4pm).

The Marsh San Francisco announces the extension of Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?, Irma Herrera's hit solo show weaving history and comedic insights into stories about names, shedding light and throwing shade on societal prejudices and assumptions.

The Marsh San Francisco presents the World Premiere of Border People, the newest solo show by award-winning actor and playwright Dan Hoyle, based on his conversations with immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and border crossers of all kinds. Hoyle began work on the show after the election of Trump in November 2016; as the American immigration debate has grown more heated, Hoyle has worked with increased urgency to complete the work and bring it to the stage. Border People, directed and co-developed by Charlie Varon, will be presented January 11 - February 23, 2019 (press opening: January 25) with performances at 8:00pm Thursdays, 8:00pm Fridays, and 5:00pm Saturdays at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. For tickets ($25-$35 sliding scale Thursdays and Fridays; $30-$35 sliding scale Saturdays; $55 and $100 reserved) or more information, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Friday, 1pm-4pm).

The Marsh San Francisco presents Irma Herrera's solo show Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?, a new work that weaves history and comedic insights into stories about names, shedding light and throwing shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. When giving her name its correct Spanish pronunciation, she often gets the "where are you from?" question. The assumption: that she is a foreigner. Irma's family has been in South Texas for generations, and the award-winning social justice activist, lawyer, and journalist thinks of herself as American as apple pie. Irma's notes from American history and laugh out-loud humor invite audience members to consider what it will take for everyone to get along. Post-show talkbacks, featuring experts in everything from civil liberties to laws related to baby naming, will be offered throughout the run.

The Marsh San Francisco presents Irma Herrera's solo show Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?, a new work that weaves history and comedic insights into stories about names, shedding light and throwing shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. When giving her name its correct Spanish pronunciation, she often gets the "where are you from?" question. The assumption: that she is a foreigner. Irma's family has been in South Texas for generations, and the award-winning social justice activist, lawyer, and journalist thinks of herself as American as apple pie. Irma's notes from American history and laugh out-loud humor invite audience members to consider what it will take for everyone to get along. Post-show talkbacks, featuring experts in everything from civil liberties to laws related to baby naming, will be offered throughout the run.

This November, the family-friendly Bay Area holiday favorite The Jewelry Box returns to The Marsh San Francisco. Performed by Brian Copeland, who has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as "among the Bay Area's most honest, thoughtful and eloquent storytellers," and directed by David Ford, this hilariously heartwarming story follows a young Brian as he 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 Department store - six-year-old Brian sets out to earn the required $11.97 by Christmas. Rife with references to 1970s Oakland,

This November, The Marsh San Francisco presents C.W. Nevius' The Oakland Raiders, True Crime & Coming of Age in SF. Thirty-eight years ago, Nevius came to San Francisco from a small newspaper in Colorado Springs, to work at the San Francisco Chronicle. Assigned to cover the Oakland Raiders, Nevius was taken along for the ride of his life to the Super Bowl. He was also involved in covering the story of a shocking sexual assault case at the University of San Francisco, featuring an All-American basketball player. Throughout these experiences, many lessons were learned, many from a crusty, chain-smoking editor from - of all places - Oklahoma. Directed by David Ford and written and performed by Nevius, The Oakland Raiders, True Crime & Coming of Age in SF will be presented November 16-December 15, 2018 (press opening: November 30) with performances 8:00pm Fridays and 8:30pm Saturdays at The Marsh San Francisco Studio, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. For tickets ($20-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved) or more information, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Friday, 1pm-4pm).

This holiday season, The Marsh Berkeley brings Lisa Rothman's Dragon in the Drop-Off Lane to the Marsh Discovery Series, which showcases work under development. After her kids dodge bullets at the local park, Rothman seeks respite by bringing them to a Winter Solstice Carnival in the ritzy town where she grew up. Holding the acorn pouch she purchased for $30, Lisa can't wait to use the acorns to pay for the pagan caroling, the gingerbread man decorating, and the puppet show. But now finds she's dodging a sanctimonious parent-volunteer in Lululemon yoga pants, a fire-breathing dragon, and - the most formidable opponent of all - her father. The stage is set for a heartfelt farce in which Lisa must reckon with what her parenting choices have cost her children. Dragon in the Drop-Off Lane will be presented November 29-December 22, 2018 with performances 7:30pm Thursdays and 5:00pm Saturdays at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. For tickets ($20-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved) or more information, the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call The Marsh Box office at 415-282-3055 (open Monday through Friday, 1pm-4pm).

The Marsh San Francisco presents Irma Herrera's solo show Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?, a new work that weaves history and comedic insights into stories about names, shedding light and throwing shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. When giving her name its correct Spanish pronunciation, she often gets the "where are you from?" question. The assumption: that she is a foreigner. Irma's family has been in South Texas for generations, and the award-winning social justice activist, lawyer, and journalist thinks of herself as American as apple pie. Irma's notes from American history and laugh out-loud humor invite audience members to consider what it will take for everyone to get along. Post-show talkbacks, featuring experts in everything from civil liberties to laws related to baby naming, will be offered throughout the run.

The Marsh San Francisco adds more free performances of Brian Copeland's The Waiting Period, due to ongoing support from a GoFundMe campaign and generous corporate contributions from Fremont Bank and OSIsoft in San Leandro. This deeply moving and surprisingly funny work outlines Copeland's own struggles with depression and suicidal thought, and is presented at no cost to remove all barriers for those who may be struggling with depression themselves.

The Marsh Berkeley announces Dan Hoyle's hit solo show Each and Every Thing has been extended due to popular demand. Focusing on finding true connection and community in the digital age, Each and Every Thing made its East Bay premiere with newly-added post-election material last month, and was an instant hit with audiences and critics alike. Developed with Charlie Varon and Maureen Towey, and directed by Charlie Varon, Each and Every Thing performs now through September 29, with performances, 8:00pm select Thursdays, 8:00pm Fridays, 8:30pm Saturdays, at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. For tickets ($25-$35 sliding scale, $55-$100 reserved), the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1-4pm, Monday through Friday.