Real Women Have Curves, The Musical
I was fourteen years old when Real Women Have Curves, written by Josefina López, was released as a film on HBO. It was one of the few times I truly felt seen during my teen years. For me, it reinforced the idea that an acting career wasn’t exclusively reserved for thin girls. The film told a beautiful story about a bright and determined teenager navigating family expectations, limited circumstances, and big dreams for the future. The musical adaptation brings that story to life on stage in a fresh and engaging way.
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical (book by Lisa Loomer and Nell Benjamin, based on the play by Josefina López and the screenplay by López and George LaVoo) is currently playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre, with previews beginning on April 1, 2025, and opening night on April 27, 2025.
The show opens with a glimpse into life as a Mexican family in East Los Angeles. Ana’s mother, played by Justina Machado, owns a factory where friends and family sew dresses for customers. Her older sister, Estela (Florencia Cuenca), is a designer trying to keep the business afloat. Ana, played by Tatiana Cordoba in her Broadway debut, is a Mexican-American teenager juggling a journalism internship, a budding romance, and an acceptance letter to Columbia University, all while helping her family make ends meet.
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While the plot feels familiar in many ways, the real surprise is its deeper emphasis on immigration. That focus feels especially timely, at a moment when Broadway continues to revive classic works often steeped in racist, minstrel, or otherwise outdated narratives. In contrast, this production feels urgent, personal, and long overdue.
Still, I found myself wondering: when these themes are wrapped in upbeat musical numbers, does it make the story more accessible or simply more palatable for Broadway? At times, it seemed like the show softened the edges of a very real, ongoing crisis to fit the mold of a feel-good musical. On the other hand, for many people living through this reality, humor is a survival tool. Laughing to keep from crying is not just a coping mechanism—it’s cultural. In that sense, the musical may be hitting exactly the right note.
Set in 1987, the story unfolds as Ana prepares to leave for college while her family, especially her mother, faces a pivotal crossroads. They must choose whether to support Ana’s right to shape her own future, or cling to the generational pattern of living in survival mode. Much of the action takes place in the factory, which is also the most visually and emotionally dynamic part of the production. The set, designed by Arnulfo Maldonado, features detailed sewing stations that come alive with movement and color. These scenes, in particular, enhance the choreography and costume design, and stand out as some of the production’s strongest moments.
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The music and lyrics by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez are fun, vibrant, and deeply felt. The title number is a pivotal moment of self-acceptance and body positivity, as the women shed societal expectations and embrace their natural forms. It’s one of the most powerful scenes in the show—blending humor, emotion, and defiance. It’s funny, emotional, and powerfully executed by all the women on stage. It serves as a strong reminder of how important it is to have stories like this on Broadway—stories that are both diverse and authentic. While the show leaves you questioning how we choose to package serious narratives for mass appeal, it is ultimately a vibrant, feel-good night at the theater.
Florencia Cuenca as Estela and the cast of Real Women Have Curves
Other standout songs include "Flying Away," Ana’s yearning solo about leaving home and dreaming bigger; "Make It Work," a high-energy ensemble piece that brings rhythm and urgency to the factory floor; and "Siempre Mi Gente," a more reflective ballad that honors community, culture, and legacy. These songs, paired with strong vocal performances and purposeful staging, help turn the musical into a vibrant portrait of resilience, love, and joy.
(Real Women Have Curves: The Musical has received critical acclaim and is nominated for two Tony Awards this year - one for Best Original Score (Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez) and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Justina Machado)
Tickets available through Broadway.com and TodayTix. Merchandise can be found at the Playbill Store. For more information, visit the official website: realwomenhavecurvesbroadway.com
