Josè Rivera

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.