Carmen Rivera

"Rivera’s script is both a classic “fish out of water” tale and a glimpse into the relations of a particular, quirky family...La Gringa is akin to a sitcom, but more “Black-ish” or “Roseanne” than “Full House” – a show that’s funny but substantial, with respect for its characters and their struggles...A solid production from beginning to end, La Gringa is heartwarming but not sappy..." — Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theatre Beat

Finalist in the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference

"Victoria Lupe Yoli was a poor kid from Cuba whose dad wanted her to be a teacher. But La Lupe could belt out a song like no one else. In Carmen Rivera's adept biodrama, we watch her rise from amateur contest winner to a six-year partnership with Tito Puente, sold-out performances in Carnegie Hall, and talk show stardom. There are 14 songs in all, but "La Lupe: My Life, My Destiny" is not a revue with a shoestring plot line. It's an inside look at fame and misfortune, the dramatic equivalent of a page turner. Rivera cleverly frames it with a Santería prophecy that the singer would enjoy more success than she ever dreamed before experiencing a terrible fall." — Glenda Frank, Backstage

"Whether or not you like salsa—lots of it, at top volume—will determine if Celia is for you. This combination concert and weepy remembrance of Cuban-born salsa queen Celia Cruz (1925–2003) isn’t much of a musical, but it is an effective delivery system for about 30 energetic, high-decibel numbers that feature a hardworking band. Framed by the retirement-home reminiscences of Cruz’s husband, Pedro Knight, the action shifts between Pedro regaling his male nurse with tales of Celia’s rise to fame in Cuba and America... Unfortunately, though, we always return to old wistful Pedro, the guy who lived lovingly but begrudgingly in the shadow of his famous wife." — David Cote, TimeOut New York

Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz (2007): Co-written by Rivera and her husband, Cándido Tirado, the musical is told through the voice of Celia Cruz's husband Pedro Knight. Celia takes the audience through the life and early beginnings of Celia Cruz through her music and has seen both off-Broadway national and international success in Chicago, Miami, and Puerto Rico. Celia received the HOLA Award in 2008.

In 2003, Rivera and husband Cándido Tirado founded Educational Play Productions, a production company that bring plays into New York Public Schools. They continue to serve as co-directors. Outside of her continued work as a playwright, Rivera is a Teacher Artist with the Manhattan Theatre Club, Arts Connections and Teachers and Writers.

La Lupe: My Life, My Destiny (2001): A musical that explores the life and stardom of Cuban-born singer Guadalupe Victoria Yoli — La Lupe. The musical featured performances in both English and Spanish and was awarded the ACE Award from the Association of Journalists and Writers for Best Production in 2001. The musical opened at the PRTT (Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre).

The screen adaptation of La Gringa was a finalist in the International Latino Film Festival/MTV Screenplay Competition in 2001.

La Gringa (1996): A play following a young woman in search of her identity. María Elena Garcia visits Puerto Rico in the hopes of reconnecting with her extended family and her homeland. Feeling like an American in Puerto Rico and like a Puerto Rican in America, Maria feels like she doesn't belong anywhere. The play is the longest running, off-broadway, Spanish-language play; it celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016 and continues to be in repertory at Repertorio Español. La Gringa was awarded the OBIE Award (Off-Broadway Theater Award) in 1996.

Rivera is also a member of the Dramatists Guild, the Theatre Communications Group, NALIP (the National Association of Latino Independent Producers) and Sigma Delta Pi (inducted June 1986).

Carmen Rivera (born October 1, 1964) is an American playwright, teacher, and producer. Working for over 20 years in the arts, she is best known for her play La Gringa (1996) and the musical Celia: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz (2007), which she co-wrote with playwright and husband Cándido Tirado.

Rivera's parents were both born in Puerto Rico and came to the United States when they were about 8 years old. Rivera was born in New York City on October 1, 1964. Her parents, who learned English upon coming to the United States, did not teach Rivera Spanish and she did not learn the language until college. It was fluency in the language that allowed her to access the stories within her Spanish-speaking family.