THE SCION Returns to The Marsh, 7/19-8/23

The Marsh announces the return of THE SCION, a tale of privilege, murder, and sausage performed by award-winning performer Brian Copeland (Not a Genuine Black Man, The Waiting Period, The Jewelry Box). Written by Brian Copeland, developed by Brian Copeland and David Ford, and directed by David Ford, THE SCION plays July 19-August 23, Saturdays at 5pm at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia Street. For tickets ($30-$35, $60-$100 reserved seats) the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

In his fourth solo show, called "riveting" by the San Francisco Chronicle and "gripping" by the Contra Costa Times, Copeland employs his razor sharp wit to explore the role of privilege and government regulation in modern society. Using the events surrounding the infamous Santos Linguisa Factory triple homicide as a case study, Copeland examines the uneasy relationship between the law, and those who grow up believing they are above it. Delivered with Copeland's signature style, THE SCION skillfully tiptoes the line between comedy and tragedy, adding a dash of humor to this riveting ripped-from-the-headlines subject matter. Copeland was most recently seen in his critically acclaimed one-man-shows The Jewelry Box and The Waiting Period, and broke the record for the longest-running solo show in San Francisco history with Not a Genuine Black Man, (which enjoyed a 10th Anniversary run at Berkeley Repertory Theatre last Spring.)

For his source material, Copeland draws on one of the most grisly events in East Bay history. In 2000, Stuart Alexander, scion of the Santos Linguisa Factory dynasty in San Leandro, infamously gunned down three meat inspectors as they attempted to enter the facility for an inspection. Alexander blamed his crimes on the inspectors, stating that he was "provoked." In his subsequent trial, it became clear that Alexander believed himself to be above the law. THE SCION is an incisive, witty, and tragically funny perspective of how the privileged and entitled react when stripped of their power, as well as an exploration of the role of government regulation in 21st century America.

Brian Copeland has been in show business since he first stepped on the comedy stage at the tender age of 18. Soon he was headlining clubs and concerts across the country and opening for such artists as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Ringo Starr, and the Queen of soul Aretha Franklin, in venues from The Universal Amphitheater to Constitution Hall in Washington DC. Soon, Copeland branched off into television, appearing on comedy programs on NBC, A&E and MTV. He spent five years as co-host of the San Francisco FOX affiliate KTVU breakfast program Mornings on 2 and two years hosting San Francisco ABC affiliate KGO's Emmy Award winning afternoon talker 7Live, and is a featured commentator on HLN TV's Dr. Drew On Call.

In 1995, KGO Radio Newstalk 810 premiered "The Brian Copeland Show," which is still going strong nine years later. Copeland branched out into theater in 2004 with his first solo play, Not A Genuine Black Man. This critically acclaimed exploration of race and identity led to the show becoming the longest running solo play in San Francisco theatrical history. Successful runs in Los Angeles and Off-Broadway and a bestselling book adaptation followed. Not A Genuine Black Man has been performed in over 30 cities across America.

Copeland's other theatrical work includes The Waiting Period, a solo play about his lifelong struggle with depression, and the Christmas play The Jewelry Box.

David Ford is a director, collaborator, and Goldie Award-winning playwright who has worked on countless solo shows over his 25-year career in the business. Frequently working on projects at The Marsh, Ford has collaborated with many Bay Area favorites including Charlie Varon, Marilyn Pitman, Geoff Hoyle, and Cherry Terror.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

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