Is “Real Women Have Curves” the empowering Broadway revival we’ve been waiting for?

Real Women Have Curves, the Broadway musical adaptation of the beloved 2002 film starring America Ferrera and George Lopez, made its debut in April 2025. The Broadway musical already boasts two Tony nominations—Best Original Score and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Justina Machado.

The musical, directed by Sergio Trujillo, tells the story of Ana Garcia, an eighteen-year-old from Los Angeleno, who dreams of attending Columbia University in New York City but has to help out in the family’s sewing shop. Ana ultimately has to decide if sacrificing her dream for her family is worth it.

The Broadway piece seems to tick all the boxes for a thought-provoking musical and sheds more light on the experiences of blue-collar immigrants in developed countries of the world. Critics consider the show an empowering musical that tackles issues like marginalization with humor while spreading messages of self-love, body positivity, and hard work.

The show also highlights the strengths of women through Ana Garcia’s story.

Sergio Trujillo, director of Real Women Have Curves on Broadway, describes the project as fulfilling for him

In an interview with ABC 7 New York, Sergio Trujillo, who made his directorial debut with the musical Real Women Have Curves, described the project as a payback for the sacrifices of all the incredible women in his life:

"I'm paying back to not only to my mother again, for the sacrifices that she has made. It is also for all of the incredible women whose shoulders I stand on."

Trujillo added that seeing audiences resonate with his work and give standing ovations mid-show was fulfilling for him:

"Nothing is more fulfilling than sitting in a theater and watching the audience give the women a standing ovation mid-show," Trujillo said. "It's a moment of empowering all women. Everyone in the audience stands up to celebrate the courage of those actors, but the courage of that moment, and that's what fills me with pride."

Trujillo, a son of immigrant parents, seemed to connect deeply with the lead character’s internal conflict—navigating the tension between personal ambition and familial obligation. The director asserted that Real Women Have Curves was his way of lifting his community and making sure that

“our voices are being heard loud and clear."

Real Women Have Curves runs for eight nights every week, from Tuesday at the James Earl Jones Theatre in New York City.

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