THEATRE Review: Real Women Have Curves

Send In the Crowds

Well that was not expected. Observing the marketing for Real Women Have Curves, you would expect a musical about the triumphs and tribulations of body positivity in modern America. What it ends up being is a somewhat light-hearted musical about immigration, sisterhood, and family legacy. Okay, not a huge shift from expectation, but enough to think “hm, I wonder if other people know about this?” The end product is the biggest crowd-pleasing musical of this Broadway season. A feel-good, if a bit too complicated, story of family, legacy, and home surrounded by such vibrant talent. The audience at the James Earl Jones Theater could not get enough, and I do not blame them.

Blending some of the best projections I have ever seen with wonderful music, this show deserves an audience. What the marketing should really should be focusing on is the chemistry with this cast. Led by Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba and newly-minted Tony nominee Justina Machado, this group of women show up and show us why they deserve to be on Broadway right now. How refreshing to see in a NEW musical.

These Real Women are working at a clothing factory, run by Estela García (Florencia Cuenca), when they get a call to produce 200 dresses for a prominent clothing brand in just 3 weeks. Estela and her mother Carmen (Machado) enlist the help of their sister/other daughter Ana (Córdoba). What they do not know is Ana’s own personal news: she was just accepted into Columbia University on a full scholarship. How can Ana help her family while also pursuing her dreams? What happens if her family is deported while she is in New York? Will those dresses be made?

The story is surrounded by very strong video design work by Hana S. Kim and costume design by Wilberth Gonzalez and Paloma Young. These production elements infuse a sense of wonder and culture that strengthens the strongest theme: home. Every other production aspect does a nice job enhancing the music as well. My biggest issue is there is so much going on. You can only do so much within a 2 hours and 30 minute musical. It is not a mortal sin, but I could not help but think the immigration themes were pushed to the side for the light-hearted elements. It certainly does not feel intentional, but the pieces at times feel better than the whole thing put together.

The crowd, however, seemed to be in total disagreement. Many moments of cheering, gasping, and crying could be audibly heard throughout the whole thing. It is hard not to fall in love with these characters! The show made us feel like a part of their family. When the curtain rose for company bows, the standing ovation was so full and well-deserved. There is always space for an imperfect show like this. I hope others will get the chance to feel the same.