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Josè Rivera

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Josè Rivera BIO

Josè Rivera is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, Rivera has become one of the most influential Latino voices in American theater.
Rivera's Broadway debut was in 2003 with his play "References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot," which was directed by Michael John Garcés and starred Rosie Perez. The play explores the relationship between a young woman and her soldier husband, who is stationed in the desert. Rivera's poetic language and magical realism elements make for a captivating and thought-provoking story.
Rivera's other notable works include "Marisol," which won the Obie Award for Best Play in 1993, and "Cloud Tectonics," which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1996. Both plays feature Rivera's signature style of blending the real and the surreal, and explore themes of identity, spirituality, and love.
In addition to his work in theater, Rivera has also made a name for himself in Hollywood. He wrote the screenplay for the 2004 film "The Motorcycle Diaries," which chronicles the journey of a young Che Guevara across South America. The film, directed by Walter Salles and starring Gael García Bernal, received critical acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Rivera has also written for television, including the series "Eerie, Indiana" and "The House of Ramon Iglesia." He has also directed several films, including "The Visit," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000.
Despite his success in Hollywood, Rivera remains committed to the theater. In 2018, his play "The Untranslatable Secrets of Nikki Corona" premiered at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. The play follows a woman who is given the opportunity to communicate with her deceased husband through a mysterious machine. The play explores themes of grief, loss, and the power of love.
Rivera's most recent work is the play "The Last Book of Homer," which premiered at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in 2019. The play tells the story of a group of soldiers who discover a manuscript written by Homer during the Trojan War. The play explores themes of war, heroism, and the power of storytelling.

Josè Rivera Photos

Josè Rivera Awards and Nominations


winner
Obie Awards - 2001 - Playwriting

José Rivera, References To Salvador Dali Make Me Hot


winner
Obie Awards - 1993 - Playwriting

Jose Rivera, Marisol

Josè Rivera News


Review: José Rivera's YOUR NAME MEANS DREAM an Intensely Psychological Star Vehicle for Two Great Actors


Rivera's 'Your Name Means Dream' creates a spectacle of actors at the top of their game, with a script that gives both Anne O'Sullivan and Sara Koviak ample opportunity to shine—and to shine a light on the mysteries of the human heart and the human-generated machine.

Interview: Director Jose Zayas Shares the Magic of MARISOL at the University Of Houston


This weekend, the University of Houston will be starting their run of MARISOL, a play written by José Rivera. This magical production follows the story of a young woman named Marisol who has a guardian angel. I had the honor to speak with Jose Zayas, the director of the production, and it was a delight to learn about the beauty of this production.

Casting Announced For The RAC's SONNETS FOR AN OLD CENTURY


The Resident Acting Company, formed four years ago by the actors of the Obie Award winning Pearl Theater Company, has announced casting for a script in hand performance of José Rivera’s Sonnets For An Old Century on October 17th at The Players. 

REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT Comes to Custom Made Theatre Next Month


Custom Made Theatre Co. (Brian Katz, Executive Artistic Director) continues its 23rd season with the Bay Area Premiere of “References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot” by award-winning, Puerto Rican playwright, José Rivera. 

SUEÑO Comes to Trinity Rep in April


Trinity Repertory Company continues its 2021-22 Season with Sueño, Obie Award-winning playwright José Rivera's adaptation of Pedro Calderón de la Barca's Spanish Golden Age play, La vida es sueño (Life is a Dream). 

Access Theater To Host Free Virtual Q&A With José Rivera


Access Theater will host community Q&As throughout the year to highlight the intersection of film and theater, exploring the life cycle of projects and artists' creative processes.

FPCT Continues 2021-22 Season With MARCIELA DE LA LUZ LIGHTS THE WORLD By José Rivera


Fells Point Corner Theatre has announced that they will continue their 2021-2022 season of homecoming with Maricela de la Luz Lights the World by José Rivera. Directed by Daniel Douek, the show opens on November 19th and runs through December 12th.

19th Annual Black And Latino Playwrights Celebration To Host Tribute To José Rivera


Playwright José Rivera will be the subject of a career tribute during the 19th annual Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration, Aug. 30-Sept. 5 at Texas State University.

BWW Review: MARISOL from The Williams Project


There’s a pandemic raging across the world, the streets are filled with Nazis, thugs, and the mentally unstable out for blood, and big corporations want to take away your livelihood and cast you out for not being able to pay your bills. No, I’m not talking about the reports from last night’s 11 o’clock news but an all too familiar set of circumstances from a 1994 play, “Marisol” by José Rivera, currently being offered from The Williams Project. And while the circumstances of the play, as well as our own world, seem bleak, this outstanding production from the always amazing Williams Project can give us a little hope.

Noise Now Announces SONNETS FOR AN OLD CENTURY An Audio Odyssey 


Noise Now announces its first audio play: Oscar-nominated José Rivera's meditative series of stories Sonnets for an Old Century, directed by ANW Director of Cultural Programming Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx.

Red Bull Theater Announces Open Submissions for SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL 2021: RESTORATION


Red Bull Theater today announced that submissions will begin for their 11th annual festival of 10-minute plays of heightened language and classic themes. Six brand new plays, inspired by this year’s theme: “Restoration,” will be selected through an open submission process to premiere alongside commissions from C. A. Johnson and José Rivera.

Out Front Theatre Company Presents 'Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays'


Out Front Theatre Company presents Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays by Mo Gaffney, Jordan Harrison, Moisés Kaufman, Neil LaBute, Wendy MacLeod, José Rivera, Paul Rudnick, and Doug Wright, conceived by Brian Shnipper.

Photo Flash: Teatro Público de Cleveland & Cleveland Public Theatre's MARISOL


Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) and Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC) present Marisol, by José Rivera, translated by Aurora Lauzardo and Waldemar Burgos, and directed by Julia Rosa Sosa. The play will be performed in Spanish with English subtitles and will run March 5 – 21 in CPT's historic Gordon Square Theatre.

SUENO Comes to UHM's Earle Ernst Lab Theatre


The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Department of Theatre & Dance and Kennedy Theatre are proud to present Sueño, translated and adapted by contemporary Puerto Rican playwright and screenwriter José Rivera from Life is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca. Sueño, a metaphysical comedy-drama, is directed by MFA Directing candidate Robert Sanchez and will be performed Wednesday, March 25 through Saturday, March 28 at 7:30pm with a 2:00pm matinee on Sunday, March 29, 2020, in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre at Kennedy Theatre. Tickets are $8-$18. The performance includes harsh language and adult situations and is not recommended for children.

Photo Flash: Cleveland Public Theatre and Teatro Público de Cleveland Present MARISOL


Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) and Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC) are proud to present Marisol, by José Rivera, translated by Aurora Lauzardo and Waldemar Burgos, and directed by Julia Rosa Sosa. The play will be performed in Spanish with English subtitles and will run March 5 – 21 in CPT's historic Gordon Square Theatre.

Teatro Público De Cleveland & Cleveland Public Theatre Present MARISOL By José Rivera


Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) and Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC) are proud to present Marisol, by José Rivera, translated by Aurora Lauzardo and Waldemar Burgos, and directed by Julia Rosa Sosa. The play will be performed in Spanish with English subtitles and will run March 5 a?" 21 in CPT's historic Gordon Square Theatre.

Cleveland Public Theatre and Teatro Público de Cleveland Will Present MARISOL by José Rivera


Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) and Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC) have announced updated plans for the 2019/2020 Season Spanish Language production. CPT and TPC will present Marisol, by José Rivera, translated by Aurora Lauzardo y Waldemar Burgos, and directed by Julia Rosa Sosa. The play will be performed in Spanish with English subtitles and will run March 5 a?" 21 in CPT's historic Gordon Square Theatre.

HB Studio Presents Free Readings Of Jose Rivera's MARICELA DE LA LUZ LIGHTS UP THE WORLD


José Rivera's wild and fanciful holiday play Maricela De La Luz Lights the World, directed by David Deblinger, co-founder of the Labyrinth Theater Company and HB faculty member, follows the adventures of Maricela and her brother Riccardo as they save the world from weather catastrophe.  

BWW Review: MARISOL Explores an Unlikely Apocalypse at Mary Moody Northen Theatre in Austin, TX.


Never one to color inside the lines, St. Edward's University teams up with local award winning Director Liz Fisher for their staged production of MARISOL. Written and premiering in the early 90's, playwright José Rivera blurs the lines between Manhattan and the prophesied war of the heavens in the new millenia. Introducing the idea that a celestial being can die, God has grown old and senile, and the war to save the world ensues as threatening plagues begin to cross the Greater New York area. Spotlighting The Bronx, and its increase in crime resulting in a seriously unsafe place to live, we meet Marisol (played by Abbygail Cortinas) dodging, quite narrowly, an attack on the subway while travelling home from work. Barely managing to make it home, Marisol is visited by her guardian angel, (played by Sierra Sterling) to reveal the cause of the chaos currently infecting the world. Confusion overtakes Marisol as she wakes up after this encounter, pondering its legitimacy as she enters her Manhattan office, greeted by her best friend, June (played Taylor Hildbrand). Sharing their fear of the disappearance of the moon and everything tasting too salty to eat, they decide to travel to June's apartment in Brooklyn for reprieve and safety. While there, she is harassed by June's manic brother Lenny (played by Andrew Mueller), and yet another element of danger is introduced through his rather strange obsession with Marisol. Tensions run high as Lenny is kicked out and Marisol decides to live with June, but not before she must travel all the way back to her outlandishly dangerous neighborhood in The Bronx for her things. Buckle up for a bumpy and extremely emotional ride while Marisol, Lenny, and June each find themselves in precarious situations as the city begins to crumble on their journey to reunion.

BMCC Theatre Presents José Rivera's MARISOL


Marisol Perez, a young Puerto Rican woman, is a copy editor for a Manhattan publisher. She finds herself on the streets, homeless, where her many encounters include a woman beaten for exceeding her credit limit and a homeless burn victim in a wheelchair looking for his lost skin. Marisol is directed by Alkis Papoutsis plays November 20th - 24th at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center (Theatre II).

Josè Rivera FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Josè Rivera written?

Josè Rivera has written 7 shows including Each Day Dies with Sleep (Playwright), Marisol (Playwright), Cloud Tectonics (Playwright), Sueno (Playwright), References to Salvador Dali Makes Me Hot (Playwright), School of the Americas (Playwright), Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays (Playwright).

What awards has Josè Rivera been nominated for?

Josè Rivera has been nominated for Playwriting at the Obie Awards for "References To Salvador Dali Make Me Hot" and "Marisol."

What awards has Josè Rivera won?

Josè Rivera has won Playwriting Obie Awards for "References To Salvador Dali Make Me Hot" and "Marisol."

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