ABIGAIL/1702 (Merrimack Rep)

“Tlaloc Rivas’ direction is en pointe…to set the proper tone to wring every possible scare, chill and bump in the night out of the piece.”
- OnBoston Stages
 
“Director Tlaloc Rivas masterfully creates suspense and uses all of the elements available to him to provide the audience with a scary ride.”
- Broadway World
PERIBAÑEZ (Quantum Theatre)

​“Peribañez plays with conventions in surprising ways…its ending is bound to catch you by surprise. All this tumult of action and moments of beauty and fear are directed with very sure hands by Megan Monaghan Rivas and Tlaloc Rivas.”
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WIT (Aurora Theatre Company)

​“Wit is a beautifully constructed piece of work, by turns fiercely intellectual and unapologetically emotional — and it’s altogether strikingly realized for Aurora by director Tlaloc Rivas and actress Mary Lynn Owen.”
- Atlanta Journal Constitution

“As directed by Tlaloc Rivas…Wit is sharply staged, especially the quick-fire hospital scenes where actors dash in and out…”
- ArtsATL
IN LOVE & WARCRAFT (Halcyon Theatre)

“Shekar’s script feels very much like a typical Hollywood romantic comedy…but director Tlaloc Rivas has formed it into something that feels unique. This show stands out in that it takes these tropes, mixes them with a heavy dose of geekery and then proceeds to evolve into an animal all its own.”
​- New City Stage
JOHANNA: FACING FORWARD (Cleveland Public Theatre)

“This resilient story sheds light on issues that are not commonly addressed …Writer/Director (Tlaloc) Rivas shows us that violence against women is ever present…raising awareness and reminding the audience that social change should happen before someone’s life is forever complicated or destroyed.”
 
“In adapting Johanna's remarkable tale of recovery and courage for the stage, Rivas said he worked hardest to channel his heroine's authentic voice, and he's done a gorgeous job of it.”
- Cleveland Plain-Dealer
THE NEW WORLD (Shakespeare St. Louis)

​“The New World” turns out to be a new kind of show. Hip and family-friendly, classical and contemporary, warm and goofy at once … (Director) Rivas rightly values authenticity over polish. If some actor doesn't know the lines, it's not a firing offense; let him or her carry a script. If there are neighborhood teens with good moves, put in a dance number. If the local arts center happens to offer a class in “Fairy Magik,” then include a parade of winged little girls. No, that's not in the “The Tempest.” But we're in a whole new world – and if you live in St. Louis, this show makes sure you know that it's yours.”
- St. Louis Post - Dispatch
LA LLORONA: A LOVE STORY (Amphibian Stage)

“If slow and steady wins the race, then La Llorona, a Love Story crosses the finish line in style… Tlaloc Rivas, has paced the show in such a thoughtful manner … that it all builds to its stunning close … when the show's devastating final image smashes through the brick wall that had been steadily layered.”
- TheatreJones
SUMMER & SMOKE (Big Sky Theater Company @ TheatreRow, NYC)

“Tlaloc Rivas’ realization of William’s play Summer and Smoke is incisive and moving … this revival is especially enlightening and edifying … giving us fresh insight into a play that brims with intelligence and raw emotion.”
- NYTheatre.com​

“I am happy (no, thrilled actually) to report that … director Tlaloc Rivas and cohorts have taken an incredibly engaging minimalistic approach … (and) this production of Summer and Smoke is an absolute standout.”
- Theatre Is Easy
 
“Tlaloc Rivas is directing a new production of the 1948 play at the Clurman, staging the original version … Rivas’s staging has some smart and fresh directing going on.”
- The Playgoer
THE DUMB WAITER (Ward 10, NYC)

​“With Tlaloc Rivas's well-directed revival of The Dumb Waiter …Rivas has expertly paced and blocked the arguments that ensue between the two (assassins) as they try to determine what they should do with this new delivery. The tension continues to build while they wait for that night's marching orders, and the audience begins to feel as unsettled as (they) do.”
ROCKET MAN (Venture Theatre)
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“A quietly elegant production…. Tlaloc Rivas’ astute direction is sensitive to the play’s underlying tone of pensive regret … a nicely imagined, poignant piece whose humanity and humor are strongly evident.”
​- Philadelphia Inquirer
 
“Rocket Man makes for a satisfying, thought-provoking evening, enhanced by fine performances with an offbeat story that mesmorizes … as directed by Tlaloc Rivas, (Rocket Man) is never predictable and totally exhilarating.”
- Catholic Standard & Times
EL PASO BLUE (Venture Theatre)
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“The ability and talent Tlaloc Rivas demonstrates as a director is a welcome addition to the (Philadelphia) theatre community … Rivas creates energetic scenes that move the production swiftly … an imaginative take on culture clash.”
- Philadelphia Inquirer
 
“El Paso Blue is a Tex-Mex, po-mo, tragi-comic revenge musical, a knockout of a show being given a terrific production … my eyebrows are still stuck in the amazement position. Tlaloc Rivas makes an auspicious debut … providing staging that is risky, intense, and hilarious. (Playwright) Solis and Rivas are powerfully quirky voices, well suited to each other’s talents, and I, for one, am eager to hear more from them both.”
- Philadelphia City Paper

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