If You Don't Dance They Beat You

by José Quintero

Drama, Plays, Theatre, Literature, Reading, Learning

296 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1988

About the author

José Quintero ilustrador, caricaturista e historietista, nacido en 1971 en la ciudad de México, de formación autodidacta. Fue Fundador y colaborador de la revista “Gallito Cómics”. Experto en la ilustración editorial, ha publicado en muchas revistas a lo largo y ancho del mundo mundial. Su trabajo se caracteriza por una fuerte presencia de humor, cultura pop y crítica. Entre sus más brillantes creaciones destaca Buba, qué ha sido editada en varias ediciones.

Reviews

[Martin Denton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was privileged to see a couple of Jose Quintero's final shows, The Iceman Cometh (twice, in 1985, starring Jason Robards) and Long Day's Journey Into Night (1988, with Robards and Colleen Dewhurst). Both are indelibly etched in my memory. So it was wonderful to learn more about this remarkable director.

His memoir is mostly focused on the creative process. The chapters devoted to his work with favorite actors like Geraldine Page, Dewhurst, and George C. Scott are fascinating, fun, and revelatory. The chapter delineating casting of his famous first Iceman revival is full of delightful surprises. The long (50 page) chapter about the development of the original production of Long Day's Journey is a treasure trove for actors and students of O'Neill, but a little bit grueling at the same time.

Quintero also talks about his friendship with Carlotta Monterey O'Neill (the playwright's widow) at great length. But other personal relationships--notably the one with his long time partner Nick (to whom the book is dedicated, but he's not mentioned anywhere inside it)--are missing. Quintero is coy about his sexuality and his romantic and personal life, except for some information about his family in Panama, from whom he appears to mostly have been estranged as an adult.

All in all, an excellent book for lovers of theater in general and Eugene O'Neill in particular; but not as satisfying as it could have been.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating autobiography of one of the leading directors in American Theatre. Chapter on LONG DAYS JOURNEY somewhat disjointed but an interesting look at the creation of a classic production.