Marisol and Other Plays

Sometimes it is hard to get certain plays and I have been looking for Marisol everywhere. I was under the impression that there were six plays in this book so I actually got the wrong play book but that is okay because I did get Marisol. It is in good condition and I am happy with it.

Though Rivera's three plays included in this piece could very easily be described as extremely strange, they are most definitely worth reading, both for entertainment value and the thoughts behind the plays. Three plays included were; Marisol, Each Day Dies With Sleep, and Cloud Tectonics. I would encourage anyone interested in this genre of theatre or even anyone who just enjoys reading something that will really make you think to read these plays. Personally I found Each Day Dies With Sleep slightly disturbing but I believe that's part of the idea and I could definitely see where people would find Marisol to be quite disturbing as well, but if you keep an open mind and try to figure out what Rivera was getting at these plays are fun to read. I can't even imagine how amazing they must be live.

There's a quiet moment in "Cloud Tectonics" when Celestina, the lost pregnant innocent recites a love poem to the more worldly, slightly jaded male lead. She pours her love out to him in Spanish which, in true tragic fashion, he cannot understand. Each of these plays are about love, but not cliched. Its about sex, but not graphic. Its about art, but not pretension. He cries out to let us know New York, L.A., love, hope, and miracles exists outside of the facade of Hollywood and places dominated by collective commercial thought. Rivera seems angry with how race relations, interpersonal love, and culture in general is malformed by the intrusiveness of corporate agents. His anger never rants though and is carefully interwoven into the structure of the play. Having never seen one of his productions, I can only imagine his alternate worlds. Viva la imaginación, Jose.

Jose is one of the most brilliant playwrights of the 20th century. His ability for "magic realism" or whatever you would like to call it allows for some of the most honest, inspiring and beautiful writing I have ever experienced. I am so glad he writes for the stage....his plays are exactly what the theatre needs!

marisol tackles a lot of issues regarding the human spirit and its vulnerablity. it also touches on issues of religion and its place in our lives. i've never been a person to see or even read plays but i was absolutely and am still absolutely impressed with this play. it is beautifully written. and if you live near or in a big city its theme touches home.