REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES To Take Broadway By Storm

Few things excite me more than a surprise performance, particularly one on the streets of New York. On March 18 at 9:45 AM, Joy Huerta will stage an acoustic concert right outside the James Earl Jones Theatre. For anyone who’s followed her trailblazing music career with Jesse & Joy, you’ll know she isn’t shy about putting on a show—her voice has a remarkable way of filling a space, whether it’s a small venue or a stadium. This pop-up moment promises an intimate window into the heart of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES. She’ll not only be performing selections from the musical’s score (which she co-composed alongside Benjamin Velez) but will also delve into some of Jesse & Joy’s most beloved hits—maybe even a track like ¡Corre! or Ecos de Amor (though the exact set list remains a surprise).

Yet the concert is more than just a quick teaser; it’s a ticket to something else—literally. Between 10 AM and 6 PM that same day, you can snag $50 tickets for any performance of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES between April 1 and April 13. This offer is only valid on March 18, with a limit of two tickets per customer, subject to availability. In an era where big-name musicals can easily cost a small fortune, that’s a glorious deal. And if you’ve ever wanted the thrill of saying, “I was there before everyone else,” this is the time to pounce.

The New, the Fresh

The phrase “important Broadway debut” gets thrown around more often than it should, but in the case of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES, it rings true. For starters, it’s adapted from Josefina López’s 1993 play—one that bravely tackled themes of body image, self-discovery, and the pressures faced by first-generation immigrants long before these conversations were mainstream. The 2002 film adaptation, starring America Ferrera, brought these topics into sharper public focus, earning critical acclaim and championing Latinx voices in Hollywood.

Now, the story returns to the stage in musical form, following Ana Garcia, played by newcomer Tatianna Córdoba. Ana is a bright high school student torn between her family’s garment business and her own ambitions to attend college in New York City. Caught in the crossfire of generational expectations and her personal dream, Ana’s story resonates with anyone who’s ever felt that tug-of-war. At a time when representation matters more than ever, a production that explores Mexican-American identity with joy, wit, and robust authenticity is one you don’t want to let slip by.

Beyond the strong thematic core, the show’s pedigree is equally compelling. REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES will be directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, whose previous Tony-winning credits include major hits that revolutionised dance on Broadway. Combine that with a score by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez, plus a book penned by Lisa Loomer with Nell Benjamin, and you have the makings of something special. These are seasoned creators, but they’re taking a fresh approach. According to early reports, the music fuses the vibrant beats of Latin pop with a Broadway sensibility that’s bound to have audiences dancing in their seats.

Meet the Garcia Family (and then Some)

For fans of the hit TV series One Day at a Time, the arrival of Justina Machado as Carmen Garcia is another huge reason to mark your calendar. Carmen, Ana’s hardworking mother, envisions a traditional path for her daughter—a safe, settled future that keeps the family together. Machado’s comedic timing and emotional depth are well documented on television, so expect her to bring a blend of warmth and steel that’s sure to bring down the house.

The ensemble also boasts a collective of rising and established talents. Florencia Cuenca takes on the role of Estela, Shelby Acosta (1776) appears as Prima Flaca, Carla Jimenez plays Pancha, Aline Mayagoitia (SIX) steps in as Itzel, Mason Reeves (Frozen) features as Henry, Jennifer Sánchez (Elf) portrays Rosalí, Sandra Valls debuts as Prima Fulvia, and Mauricio Mendoza becomes Raúl Garcia. Notably, Cuenca, Jimenez, Mayagoitia, Reeves, and Valls are all making their Broadway debuts—an exciting testament to the production’s desire to showcase new voices. Every person listed has a vibrant background of regional theatre or television work. To see them congregate on a single stage, telling a resonant story about cultural heritage, is precisely what Broadway needs right now.

Bringing the Show to Life

A massive musical requires a powerhouse creative team, and REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES has assembled a lineup of award-winning talent behind the scenes. The scenic design comes from Arnulfo Maldonado, known for crafting sets that envelop the audience in the world of the play—think carefully chosen architectural details and layered backdrops that mirror the garment factory setting. Costume design is by Wilberth Gonzalez and Paloma Young, a pairing that sparks my curiosity. I’ve heard whispers of how the costumes blend contemporary street style with traditional Mexican motifs, capturing the tension between Ana’s modern aspirations and her family’s legacy.

The lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by John Shivers add further credibility, given their impressive track records. Katz, for instance, is the talent behind the lighting for multiple high-profile Broadway spectacles, layering colour and shadow to shape each scene’s emotional texture. Shivers, meanwhile, has honed his craft on multiple Tony-winning shows. His audio wizardry will be especially vital here, given the bilingual nature of the musical’s score and spoken dialogue.

Completing the overall vision is the video design by Hana S. Kim and hair, wig, and make-up design by Krystal Balleza. As musicals become more multimedia-oriented, designers like Kim are stepping up with bold, immersive visuals. Expect glimpses of New York City’s bustle, dreamlike projections that reflect Ana’s inner aspirations, and maybe even references to real garment factories. Behind the curtain, the orchestrations by Nadia DiGiallonardo, Joy Huerta, Rich Mercurio, and Benjamin Velez are set to blend Latin pop, hip-hop, and the full-bodied spectacle of the Broadway orchestra.

A Special Inside Scoop

Here’s a little nugget that isn’t obvious from the press release: the production team is abuzz with the idea of presenting live garment creation on stage during a key scene. While no one has confirmed exactly how it’ll manifest, I’ve heard from a stagehand at the James Earl Jones Theatre that there’ll be a sequence where the actors actually work fabric through machines, stitching real garments live as part of the choreography. If you think that’s unusual, you’re not alone—it’s quite a feat of coordination and technical skill, particularly if it’s done in time to the music. The idea is to let the audience feel the pulse of work happening in real time, bridging the gap between drama and day-to-day reality. Talk about immersive theatre!

Community and Representation

With so many members of the cast and creative team identifying as Latinx, this musical feels poised to champion authentic representation. That’s a particularly big deal on Broadway, where stories by and about marginalised communities have historically been few and far between. Data from recent Broadway seasons reveals an uptick in productions that foreground diverse casts and creative teams, but it’s still not the norm. REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES stands out as a celebration of Latinx culture—written, composed, designed, and performed by people who recognise the nuances of the story they’re telling.

This show might well herald a further shift, inspiring more producers to invest in stories that speak to broad swathes of the community. With a proven track record—its 2024 world premiere was met with glowing reviews—and a supportive fan base eagerly awaiting its Broadway run, it’s set to be a milestone in commercial theatre.

One Final Reason to See It

Let’s not forget the pure joy of musical theatre: the rousing ensemble numbers that make your heart sing, the ballads that leave you with a tear in your eye, the dance breaks that quicken your pulse. REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES promises all of this and more. If you’re a sucker for a feel-good story that’s both culturally specific and universally relatable, if you want to see a star-making turn from a newcomer like Tatianna Córdoba, or if you’ve adored Justina Machado for years, this is your show. And if you’re a fan of the Grammy-winning prowess of Joy Huerta, hearing her compositions in a Broadway context will be nothing short of revelatory.

REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES will officially open on April 27, but trust me, there’s a magic in being among the first to experience this debut from April 1 onwards. And if you’re fortunate enough to be in New York City on March 18, you can catch that special acoustic concert and score your $50 tickets while you’re there. There’s no better chance to fall in love with this musical from day one—because when people ask you months from now if you’ve seen the show that everyone’s talking about, you’ll be able to smile and say, “I was there before it was a phenomenon.”

So clear your calendar, grab your tickets, and brace yourself for an emotional rollercoaster infused with laughter, music, and a palpable sense of community. REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES is on the cusp of taking Broadway by storm, and from what I can tell, it deserves every bit of thunder it stirs. This is theatre at its most vibrant—personal, powerful, and packed with the kind of energy that makes live performance so unforgettable. Don’t miss it.