Justina Machado and Janet Dacal Join the Cast of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical

American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University announced the full cast and creative team for Real Women Have Curves: The Musical, based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the 2002 film. The show runs December 6-January 21, 2024, at A.R.T. in Cambridge.

The musical features an original score by Grammy Award-winning recording artist Joy Huerta (from Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy) and Fred Ebb Award winner Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec) and a book by Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Lisa Loomer (The Waiting Room). Tony winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud) directs and choreographs.

Real Women Have Curves takes place in the summer of 1987 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. After 18 years under the roof of her immigrant parents, Ana is ready to live her dreams of college and a career in New York City, but her family’s expectations would keep her home working at their garment factory.

The cast features Lucy Godínez as Ana, Shelby Acosta as Prima Flaca, Satya Chávez as Izel, Florencia Cuenca as Estela, Janet Dacal (In The Heights) as Mrs. Spitz,  Sandra Valls as Prima Fulvia, Carla Jimenez (The Mick) as Pancha, Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) as Carmen, Edward Padilla as Raúl, Sage as Henry, and Jennifer Sánchez as Rosalí. The ensemble includes Shadia Fairuz, Elisa Galindez, Michael Keyloun, Christopher M. Ramirez, and Arusi Santi. The offstage swings are Amy Lizardo, Kayla Quiroz, and Gus Stuckey.

The creative team includes music supervisor Nadia DiGiallonardo, music director Roberto Sinha, scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado, costume designers Wilberth Gonzalez and Paloma Young, lighting designer Natasha Katz, sound designer Walter Trarbach, projection designer Hana Kim, associate director Emi Lirman, associate choreographer Liz Ramos, and associate music director Alex Crosby.