‘Real Women Have Curves: The Musical’ Headed to Broadway

The groundbreaking Latina-led film adaptation of the play Real Women Have Curves (2002) gave America Ferrera a breakthrough role and has become a beloved work for its authentic portrayal of Latinas and our community. Mexican American playwright Josefina Lopez penned the 2000 play which went on to become a film directed by Colombian American director Patricia Cardoso, starring Lupe Ontiveros and Ferrera as mother and daughter, Carmen and Ana. The story was developed into a musical adaptation that made its critically acclaimed premiere last December at the American Repertory Theatre (ART) and is now Real Women Have Curves: The Musical is headed to Broadway in 2025. The story focuses heavily on the experiences of immigrants in the U.S., labor exploitation, marianismo, feminism and being first-generation Latina.

This musical adaptation, like its film and play counterparts, features Latinx talent on and off the screen. Set for choreography and direction is well-known theater director and choreographer, Colombian Sergio Trujillo—the first Latinx winner for Best Choreography in 2019 for his work on Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. Grammy Award-winning artist Joy Huerta of the Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy along with composer/lyricist Benjamin Velez will contribute music and lyrics to the production with book by Lisa Loomer, additional material by Nell Benjamin, and music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo.

“I am thrilled to be a part of bringing Real Women Have Curves: The Musical to Broadway. Songwriting for theater is a new undertaking for me, and it’s been a thrill to collaborate with Sergio, Bejamin, Lisa, Nell, and the rest of this extremely talented team. Ana’s story is such a powerful and universal one that already holds so much cultural relevance, and we look forward to bringing it to new audiences in this musical format,” Huerta said in a press release.

Set in the summer of 1987 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, the story follows 18-year-old Ana Garcia who works in a garment factory with her mother and sister as she navigates her desire to spread her wings and go after her dreams of college. While she longs for a future career in New York City, her complicated relationship with her mother and her family’s expectations clash with what she wants for herself and where she wants to go.

The American Repertory Theater cast for their initial run included the likes of Lucy Godínez as Ana and Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) as Carmen. The cast also featured the performances of Florencia Cuenca as Estela, Shelby Acosta as Prima Flaca, Carla Jimenez as Pancha, Janet Dacal, from the original Broadway cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights as Mrs. Spitz, and Satya Chávez as Izel.

Dates and cast for the Broadway production of the musical will be announced at a later date.