In 1971, Fair Housing advocates considered San Leandro one of the most racist suburbs in America. CBS aired a special on the situation. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights conducted hearings. The next year, eight-year-old Brian Copeland and his African-American family moved in. In an evening of laughter, tears and sociology, Copeland’s acclaimed solo show Not a Genuine Black Man is a hilarious and insightful look at Bay Area history, and at the ways in which our upbringings make us who we are. Not a Genuine Black Man broke records as the longest-running solo show in San Francisco history, and is now the longest-running solo show in Bay Area history. It has brought Copeland critical acclaim as one of the city’s most talented and engaging solo performers. Now he brings the show to City Lights in a rare South Bay appearance. Up next: Director Rob Reiner is currently developing the show for television! “In a region where solo stage shows are performed with regularity, Black Man is the production to which all others must be judged. It’s that good, and that deeply ingrained in the theater scene.” –The Mercury News
SUBMIT UPDATES
City Lights Theater Company Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Running After Shadows (1/15/26-2/8/26)
Not A Genuine Black Man (1/25/26-1/25/26)
Dial M for Murder (3/12/26-4/12/26)
anthropology (5/14/26-6/7/26)
Ride the Cyclone (7/16/26-8/23/26)
City Lights Theater Company is at 529 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA.
Ren's Eleventh Annual Winter Wonderland (12/7/25-12/7/25)
Over the River and Through the Woods (11/20/25-12/21/25)
City Lights Presents: Spooky Lights Live! (10/12/25-10/12/25)
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (9/25/25-10/19/25)
An Evening with AJ Jaffari (8/3/25-8/3/25)
Head Over Heels (7/17/25-8/24/25)
Lights Up! 2025 at City Lights Theatre Company (6/14/25-6/14/25)
The Cake (5/15/25-6/8/25)
The Cake (5/15/25-6/8/25)
Videos
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Cinderella
Hillbarn Theatre (12/4 - 12/28) | |
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Ride the Cyclone
City Lights Theater Company (7/16 - 8/23) | |
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The 2026 New Years Eve Stand-Up Comedy Countdown Live at Broadway Studios!
Broadway studios (12/31 - 1/1) | |
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“Women Crossing/Liminality”
Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall, Bowes Center, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 200 Van Ness Avenue (4/17 - 4/17) | |
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An Evening with a Mentalist: Jay Alexander's Mind Tricks Live
San Francisco Magic Theater (w/Jay Alexander) at the Marrakech (1/2 - 1/4) | |
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The 33rd Annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy: Jewish Comedy on Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant
Imperial Palace Restaurant (12/24 - 12/26) | |
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You're A Good Man Charlie Brown
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center (12/12 - 12/21) | |
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Live At the Orinda 2025-2026 Concert Season
Orinda Theatre (10/5 - 5/10) | |
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