"The Waiting Period"

One Man's Showdown With Depression: Brian Copeland's "The Waiting Period"

Even while living the life of a charismatic public figure, radio talk show host and actor-writer Brian Copeland ("Not a Genuine Black Man") struggles with debilitating bouts of depression. He's taken those struggles and channeled them into "The Waiting Period", a powerful solo show about the 10 days he spent waiting for the permit to get the gun he needed to kill himself. With intense honesty and unrelenting humor ("how much would be appropriate to spend on the gun?"), Copeland shares his insider's perspective on the deepest wells of depression. He interweaves his story with interviews of others suffering from depression, showcasing the universal nature of the experience. After a sold-out run in San Francisco, Copeland brings "The Waiting Period" to the Altarena Playhouse in Alameda.