Broadway has introduced a new production with the arrival of the musical adaptation of "Real Women Have Curves," a story that centers on the Latino immigrant experience. The show is directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, known for his work on "Jersey Boys" and "Memphis." According to ABC7NY, the project is personally meaningful to Trujillo. As the son of an immigrant who postponed his own ambitions, Trujillo stated that the production serves as both a tribute to his ancestors and a representation of the broader immigrant narrative present in current social discussions.
Diving into the production's music and lyrics, we find that Joy Huerta of the pop duo Jesse & Joy, alongside co-composer Benjamin Velez, brought to life the story's emotional currents set in the 1980s Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, as informed by The New York Times and Huerta, the team worked to adapt the play by Josefina López into a format that would captivate audiences through song, balancing relatable storytelling and the incorporation of themes like family loyalty, personal ambition, and the, often challenging, immigrant experience.
Trujillo expressed his dedication to the project, saying, "I'm paying back to not only to my mother again, for the sacrifices that she has made," a sentiment that highlights the importance of family and cultural heritage that flows throughout the musical, with his mother having worked as a seamstress, similar to the characters depicted onstage. As ABC7NY describes, Trujillo's pride in the production is evident as audiences at the James Earl Jones Theatre stand mid-show to applaud, embodying the empowerment portrayed by the women on stage and those represented from history.
The musical’s narrative includes a portrayal of body positivity and incorporates the Spanish language to reflect authenticity. Tatianna Córdoba, making her Broadway debut as the young protagonist Ana García, noted her connection to the character’s struggles and aspirations. This connection is highlighted in the show's treatment of illegal immigration, set during the summer of 1987 when a Reagan-era amnesty program was relevant to the characters' experiences, as noted by The New York Times. The adaptation combines individual stories with historical context to present these experiences in detail.
"Real Women Have Curves" aims to reflect authenticity and cultural significance, presenting stories related to identity, culture, and the pursuit of the American Dream. The musical features narratives that relate to various communities, with Trujillo stating that these stories will be communicated clearly on stage and beyond, as per reports by ABC7NY.
