Jose Rivera Livres

Exploring the concept of fairy tales from a unique perspective, this collection features six short plays that blend magic realism with poignant themes. Each play delves into complex issues, such as identity, perception, and the impact of war. Characters grapple with personal challenges, from a girl cursed with flowers to a high school student facing the consequences of her choices. Rivera's writing is rich with metaphor and poetry, creating a compelling theatrical experience that resonates with adult audiences while retaining the essence of fairy tales.

Set in the Bolivian jungle, the narrative unfolds during the last two days of Che Guevara's life, capturing his poignant conversations with Julia Cortes, a village schoolteacher. As they discuss themes of revolution and personal failure, Che reflects on his own legacy, revealing vulnerabilities behind his revolutionary image. The play intertwines historical fact with intimate dialogue, exploring the complexities of political ideals and human connection. Through their interactions, it raises thought-provoking questions about struggle and the nature of heroism.

A surrealistic play that follows a young woman named Gabriela who has been separated from her husband, a military man. He has been off fighting in the Middle East, and returns feeling lonely and sexually frustrated. When he returns, Gabriela gives him an ultimatum. Features actors playing a coyote, a cat and a personified moon.

Published in 1924 and widely acknowledged as a major work of twentieth-century Latin American literature, José Eustasio Rivera's The Vortex follows the harrowing adventures of the young poet Arturo Cova and his lover Alicia as they flee Bogotá and head into the wild and woolly backcountry of Colombia. After being separated from Alicia, Arturo leaves the high plains for the jungle, where he witnesses firsthand the horrid conditions of those forced or tricked into tapping rubber trees. A story populated by con men, rubber barons, and the unrelenting landscape, The Vortex is both a denunciation of the sensational human-rights abuses that took place during the Amazonian rubber boom and one of the most famous renderings of the natural environment in Latin American literary history.

Written by Jose Rivera, Academy Award nominee for The Motorcycles Diaries, EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP is the story of a young woman's struggle to find an identity apart from the two men in her life, her father and her husband. This fantastical tragicomedy leaps from coast to coast and from one outrageous moment to the next. "Here is a production to restore our faith in live theater, and a play to restore our interest in new theater. Jose Rivera ... an American playwright born in Puerto Rico - wrote EACH DAY DIES WITH SLEEP ... it's real subject is the primitive human struggle between animal instincts and civilized order. The language - poetic, intense, heightened, rude, stunted, funny, by turns - is always vivid. I simply testify that it is months since I was so worked up by characters in a play as here ... Rivera's play brings fresh imaginative vitality to the London theater. Its conception of the human condition as a psychic battleground - lively, funny, erotic, tragic - has a rare force." -Alastair Macaulay, Financial Times "Surrealism, magic realism, expressionism, alternate-world realism - Rivera's tortured triangle of father, daughter and son-in-law writhes across the entire map of modern Hispanic literature, in a beautifully lofty English - unsettling, disturbing, rich with excitement and hope." -Michael Feingold, Village Voice"

The book captures the exhilarating experience of fear in a theatrical setting, emphasizing the thrill and excitement it brings to audiences. It explores how the suspense and tension of performances can evoke strong emotions, enhancing the enjoyment of live shows. Through vivid storytelling, it invites readers to embrace the adrenaline rush that comes with being scared, celebrating the unique atmosphere of the theater.

Set in Puerto Rico amid the statehood debate, a young woman navigates love while living with her 105-year-old great-grandmother, who grapples with her own past. The play intertwines themes of love, loss, and identity, highlighting the stark language barrier between the two women. José Rivera's work blends magical realism with political commentary, reflecting on Puerto Rican independence through rich imagery and poetic dialogue. This deeply human exploration resonates universally, challenging audiences to confront their own perspectives on self-determination.

Set in a war-torn future Los Angeles, a wealthy woman hosts an enigmatic feast to commemorate her parents' death, inviting two strangers with troubled pasts. As the night unfolds, hidden agendas come to light amidst rising tensions. The gathering reveals not only the characters' true natures but also hints at darker themes, suggesting that the meal may hold more sinister implications than it appears. The atmosphere is charged with mystery and foreboding, making for a gripping exploration of human fragility and ulterior motives.