As someone with several curvy dancer friends whose dreams of performing on big stages were crushed by teachers and casting directors claiming their bodies were “too big,” seeing Real Women Have Curves on Broadway was nothing short of healing. This show is an antidote to years of being told that plus-size bodies don’t belong in entertainment.
Oh—and it’s also hysterical, heartfelt, and hits every note you’d want from a Broadway musical.
Real Women Have Curves, which opened at the James Earl Jones Theater in April 2025, delivers it all: a cast that reflects real life, show-stopping music and dance, and a storyline full of heart, humor, and the immigrant experience. It’s a must-see moment for anyone who believes that plus-size people deserve to shine on stage.
A Broadway Show That Celebrates Real Bodies
I went with my husband, Chris, unsure what to expect. I was initially drawn to the “curves” in the title, given my work in the plus size fashion and lifestyle space, but what I experienced was so much more. This isn’t just a show about body positivity—it’s about female empowerment, community, sacrifice, and joy. And yes, it’s laugh-out-loud funny.
A Cast Full of Powerhouse Women—and Curves
The cast features both seasoned performers and rising stars making their Broadway debut, giving the production a raw, real, and resonant vibe.
Tatiana Cordoba plays Ana, the heart of the show. A proud Latina/Filipina from the Bay Area and a Boston Conservatory grad, Cordoba is making her Broadway debut. Her performance is vulnerable, fierce, and completely magnetic—proving that plus-size talent belongs center stage.
Justina Machado brings humor and intensity to the role of Carmen, Ana’s mother. You may recognize her from One Day at a Time, Six Feet Under, or the upcoming Netflix series Pulse. Fun fact: Justina originated the role of Ana in the 1993 world premiere of Real Women Have Curves in Chicago. Her full-circle moment adds an extra layer of richness to this revival.
And let’s talk about Carla Jimenez—funny, fabulous, and completely unforgettable. She brings the house down with a raucous, relatable number about menopause called Adios Andrés. This isn’t just a musical moment—it’s a cultural one.
That Iconic Lingerie Scene
There’s a scene where the women dance in their lingerie, wild and free, and let me tell you—it’s everything. Joyful. Liberating. Emotional. When the music swelled and the women owned the stage with confidence, the audience erupted. People rose to their feet, cheered, and some (including me) teared up.
Because for once, plus-size bodies were not the joke—they were the celebration.
A Size-Inclusive Experience On and Off the Stage
Let’s talk comfort: the seats at the James Earl Jones Theater are roomier than most on Broadway. That matters. At a recent show (Book of Mormon, for example), I spent the entire time holding my breath and crunching my knees. The physical discomfort was a stark reminder that Broadway often isn’t designed with plus size audiences in mind.
Real Women Have Curves is different. From the message to the seating, the whole experience says: you belong here.
This isn’t just a musical—it’s a movement. A reminder that plus size women, Latinas, immigrants, and underrepresented voices have every right to take up space—in entertainment, in fashion, in storytelling, in the spotlight.
When women support each other, especially in a world that tells us to compete and conform, magic happens.
I’ll keep the spoilers to a minimum because you absolutely need to see it for yourself. It’s currently set to run through October 25.
This show is more than a night out—it’s a statement. A celebration. A revolution in plus size entertainment.
Get your tickets now and experience a Broadway show that’s truly made for all of us.
