Laura Vega and Stefany Arroyo (Photo by Steve Moyer Public Relations)
Reviewed by Katy Kragel
Casa 0101 Theater
Through May 3
RECOMMENDED
Yasha Alaniz, Stefany Arroyo, Laura Vega, Amy Melendrez, Blanca Araceli (Photo by Steve Moyer Public Relations)
Thirty-eight years ago, Josefina López wrote Real Women Have Curves based on her own personal experiences working at her sister’s sewing factory in East Los Angeles. With this story taking on a life of its own with a screen adaptation in 2002 then later becoming a hit Broadway musical in 2025, it’s only fitting that the play made its way home to Casa 0101 Theater – the theater that López founded in 2000 in the heart of Boyle Heights.
It’s striking how poignant this play still is almost four decades later. Following five Latina women of all ages, the conversations around the struggles and fears of immigration in the United States through the lens of female friendship somehow are just as relevant and moving in 2026 as they were in the 1980s when this play takes place. Watching these women grapple with generational differences while sharing timeless female experiences give the story a refreshingly relatable tone throughout the entirety of this 101-minute production. With alternating English and Spanish performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy and take away from this play.
Under the direction of Corky Dominguez – who was also involved in the screen and musical adaptations of Real Women Have Curves – the attention to detail really stands out in this production. A seemingly fully functional set posing as an intimate sewing factory complete with four work stands, a mini kitchen, and a bathroom on the side (designed by César Retana-Holguín) perfectly sets the scene and gives the actors a realistic workspace to fully drop into the lives of these characters. A mix of practical lights within the set and traditional stage lighting (designed by Alejandro Parra) works beautifully to emphasize the intimate and realistic setting while we watch the ladies work.
With all the design elements for support, the true stars of this production are the fearless women carrying the soul of López’ story. Mining every single moment for comedy while still embracing the nuances of each of these characters, the five actors work seamlessly together and certainly have the audience laughing and crying along with them. Stefany Arroyo – who I had the pleasure of seeing shine on the USC stage last year when we were both students – brings a Gen Z energy to this story and carries the youthful spunk of Ana, the self-insert character of López. Contrasting brilliantly with Carmen (Blanca Aracelin) and Pancha (Laura Vega) who play the older women in the story, they both showcase moments of comedic genius that carry the heart of this show. Amy Melendrez brings a sweet charm to Rosali, and Yasha Alaniz tops it all off with an emotional groundedness as Estela.
Seeing these five women take the stage, I realize how few productions I have seen with an all-female cast, and even fewer, if any, with an all-Latina cast. Now, more than ever, tackling large-scale political issues is at the forefront of many productions. However, often, that can take a nihilistic, dark lens, and it is so special to see these five actresses bring all the joy that female friendship – and gossip – can bring to this heavy world. The production doesn’t shy away from the bravery and fear of the Latina experience in America, but it does highlight that that is not the full picture of the experience. Rather, it highlights the pure joy, laughter, and community that carries anyone through the darkest of times.
CASA 0101, 2102 E. First St., Boyle Heights. Opens Fri., March 27; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 7 pm; thru May www.casa0101.org Running Time: 100 minutes without intermission.
38 years ago, Josefina López wrote Real Women Have Curves based on her own personal experiences working at her sister’s sewing factory in East Los Angeles. With this story taking on a life of its own with a screen adaptation in 2002 then later becoming a hit Broadway musical in 2025, it’s only fitting that the play made its way home to Casa 0101 Theater – the theater that López founded in 2000 in the heart of Boyle Heights.
It’s striking how poignant this play still is almost four decades later. Following five Latina women of all ages, the conversations around the struggles and fears of immigration in the United States through the lens of female friendship somehow are just as relevant and moving in 2026 as they were in the 1980s when this play takes place. Watching these women grapple with generational differences while sharing timeless female experiences give the story a refreshingly relatable tone throughout the entirety of this 101 minute production. With alternating English and Spanish performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy and take away from this play.
Under the direction of Corky Dominguez – who was also involved in the screen and musical adaptations of Real Women Have Curves – the attention to detail really stands out in this production. A seemingly fully functional set posing as an intimate sewing factory complete with four work stands, a mini kitchen, and a bathroom on the side designed by César Retana-Holguín perfectly sets the scene and gives the actors a realistic workspace to fully drop into the lives of these characters. A mix of practical lights within the set and traditional stage lighting designed by Alejandro Parra works beautifully to emphasize the intimate and realistic setting while we watch the ladies work.
With all the design elements for support, the true stars of this production are the fearless women carrying the soul of López’ story. Mining every single moment for comedy while still embracing the nuances of each of these characters, the five actors work seamlessly together and certainly have the audience laughing and crying along with them. Stefany Arroyo – who I had the pleasure of seeing shine on the USC stage last year when we were both students – brings a Gen Z energy to this story and carries the youthful spunk of Ana, the self-insert character of López. Contrasting brilliantly with Carmen (Blanca Aracelin) and Pancha (Laura Vega) who play the older women in the story, they both showcase moments of comedic genius that carry the heart of this show. Amy Melendrez brings a sweet charm to Rosali, and Yasha Alaniz tops it all off with an emotional groundedness as Estela.
Seeing these five women take the stage, I realize how few productions I have seen with an all-female cast, and even fewer, if any, with an all-Latina cast. Now, more than ever, tackling large-scale political issues is at the forefront of many productions. However, often, that can take a nihilistic, dark lens, and it is so special to see these five actresses bring all the joy that female friendship – and gossip – can bring to this heavy world. The production doesn’t shy away from the bravery and fear of the Latina experience in America, but it does highlight that that is not the full picture of the experience. Rather, it highlights the pure joy, laughter, and community that carries anyone through the darkest of times.
