Running March 27–May 3, 2026
Since its 1988 World Premiere performance at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in 1990, Josefina López’s signature play Real Women Have Curves has become a cultural touchstone—evolving from a celebrated stage play into an award-winning 2002 film and a Tony-nominated Broadway musical in 2025. This this spring it returns to Los Angeles with a new production at CASA 0101’s Gloria Molina Theater, running March 27–May 3, 2026, with select performances presented in Spanish. ¡Que suave!
Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Real Women Have Curves tells of five curvy Latinas working in a tiny sewing factory who are trying to meet an impossible production deadline while hiding from immigration. Their determination, courage and juicy “chisme” (gossip) help them form a bond and discover their power.
Creator and playwright Josefina López still marvels at the lasting impact of her landmark work. “When I wrote the first words of Real Women Have Curves in March 1988, I felt divinely guided to share my story,” she said. “I never envisioned the lasting impact and topical relevance my words would have this many years later.” López began writing the play at 18, inspired by the humorous yet revealing experiences she recorded while working in her sister’s sewing factory in East Los Angeles. Channeling her frustrations with machismo, racism, Hollywood’s objectification of women, and her own experience as an undocumented young woman, she shaped a story that would connect deeply with audiences.
Looking back, López believes the play’s enduring appeal lies in its celebration of women’s lives and evolving identities. “It reflects the four stages of womankind, the challenges of transitioning to the next stage and embracing the natural and organic process of aging and coming into our own wisdom,” she said. Inspired by her mother, sister, and the women around her, López now sees the play as “a sacred dance of feminine energy and camaraderie” that helps liberate women from shame—especially about their bodies.
Real Women’s unique message of body positivity, strength in the face of oppression and the power of the immigrant dream has resonated so profoundly over the decades that it has had nearly 130 professional and regional productions.
Thi six week run at CASA 0101 stars Stefany Arroyo (Ana García), Yasha Alaniz (Estela García), Bianca Araceli (Carmen García,) Amy Melendrez (Rosalí), Laura Vega (Pancha) – and featuring, on stage for the first time, the original sewing machine that once belonged to Josefina López’s late mother, Catalina Perales López, who was the model for the character of Carmen García. So, this is a distinctive cast in a story that takes on new relevancy in these challenging times. Creatives behind the curtain boasts a talented team of creatives, including set designer César Rentana-Holguín, lighting designer Alejandro Parra, costume designer Tony Iniguez, and graphic designer Itzel Ocampo.
Heading this powerful artistic team is CASA’s longtime associate, director Corky Dominguez talked about working with Lopez, “I have had the great pleasure of collaborating with Josefina López on many of her original plays by taking what she has written on the page and breathing life into her characters and words by realizing them on the stage. He also find a deeper corrolation, given to what is happening in the world we are living in today, “The spot on poignancy of Josefina’s themes and plotline in Real Women Have Curves, laced with a heavy dose of humor, is undeniably pertinent, joyous and uplifting for our times. This will be the take away for audience members who come to see our production!”
As an ardent fan of Ms. Lopez’s writing, this journalist is personally overjoyed that Real Women is returning to Los Angeles, the place where this story was born and where it can play to a hometown audience who’s always responded to its enduring message. I’m also extremely excited to announce a very special upcoming event, titled, Curves in Concert taking place on March 20th at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, California. This very special, one-time only performance will reunite members of the original Broadway cast of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical as they sing selections from Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez’s Tony Nominated score. I caught the Broadway production and can highly recommend this special night directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Sergio Trujillo, who helmed the show in New York. The concert will be followed by a talk-back with Ms. Lopez.
FOR ALL SHOW INFO: www.casa0101.org
Real Women Have Curves
Gloria Molina Auditorium at CASA 0101 Theater
2102 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
ENGLISH PERFORMANCES: Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:00 pm. on March 27 – May 3, 2026; Sundays @ 2:00 pm on March 29 & April 5, 2026; Sundays @ 7:00 p.m. on April 12, 19, 26 & May 3, 2026. Playwright Josefina López will be doing a Talk Back after the Matinee performances on Sunday, March 29th and April 5th.
SPANISH PERFORMANCES: Sundays @ 2:00 p.m. on April 12, 19, 26 & May 3, 2026.