The Marsh Extends Brian Copeland's THE WAITING PERIOD

The Marsh announces that, due to popular demand, Brian Copeland's THE WAITING PERIOD adds a third extension through May 31. This riveting drama provides an unrelenting look at a key turning point in Copeland's life-the mandatory ten-day waiting period before he could lay his hands on the newly purchased gun with which he planned to take his own life. Featuring humorous, poignant, and compelling insights, THE WAITING PERIOD is written by Brian Copeland and directed by David Ford. Originally extended through April 19, the show will continue Sundays at 5:30pm through May 31 at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia Street. For tickets ($30-$35 general/ $60-$100 reserved), the public may visit www.themarsh.org or call 415-282-3055 Monday through Friday between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.

Says Copeland, "With the devastating loss of Robin Williams, I hope we can finally have a national dialogue about this largely misunderstood disease." Laced with surprisingly funny moments that serve as a buffer against the grim reality of his intentions, Copeland hopes this very personal, and ultimately redemptive, story will reach people who struggle with depression-often called the last stigmatized disease-as well as their families and loved ones. Selected performances of THE WAITING PERIOD will be dedicated to a family who has lost a loved one to suicide, and part of the proceeds will go to a charity of the family's choice. As critic Sam Hurwitt put it in The Idiolect: "It's a play I'd strongly recommend to anyone who is now or has ever been depressed or who knows someone in that situation. But honestly, it's such a strong piece that I'd recommend it just as heartily to anyone who's ever been human."

Brian Copeland has been in show business since he first stepped on the comedy stage at age 18. Soon, he was headlining clubs and concerts across the country and opening for such artists as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Ringo Starr, and Aretha Franklin, in venues from The Universal Amphitheater to Constitution Hall in Washington DC. Copeland then branched off into television, appearing on comedy programs on NBC, A&E and MTV. He spent five years as co-host of San Francisco FOX affiliate KTVU breakfast program Mornings on 2 and two years hosting San Francisco ABC affiliate KGO's Emmy Award winning afternoon talk show 7Live. In 1995, KGO Radio premiered "The Brian Copeland Show." With his unique blend of humor and riveting talk, the program remains the most listened to program in its time slot, reaching more than 100,000 listeners. His first network special, NOW BRIAN COPELAND, recently premiered on NBC.

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 other Bay Area favorites including Charlie Varon, Marilyn Pittman, Geoff Hoyle, and Cherry Terror.

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