Las mujeres de verdad tienen curvas by Josefina López
The year is 1987. The place, a small sewing factory in east L.A. The characters, five Mexican immigrants –Estela García, the owner of the factory; her mother, Carmen; her younger sister, Ana; and two co-workers, Pancha and Rosalí. President Reagan has just signed into law the Immigration Reform and Control Act which gave undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States prior to 1982 the opportunity to get legal residency. Everyone but Estela who committed two minor legal infractions has been given temporary residency cards. They all work under tremendous pressure to complete a big order in a few days. They fear immigration authorities will enter the factory and deport Estela. The five protagonists--funny, earthy, and endearing--sew, laugh, eat, gossip, argue, and slowly reveal their concerns about marriage, pregnancy, weight, exploitation, immigration, and self dignity. All five women, and most particularly Ana, who represents the voice of the author Josefina López, discover the strength women have when they join together. This play was subsequently developed into the 2002 award-winning movie, Real Women Have Curves, co-authored by Josefina López and George LaVoo, and starring America Ferrera and Lupe Ontiveros.
Nadia Torres of Telemundo with director and cast members
Interview of Cruzando Caminos cast and playwright Josefina López with Nadia Torres of Telemundo November 20, 2019.
Radio Wado Interview with Linda Gould Levine and Liliana Olivares, January 9, 2020
Linda Gould Levine interview with Amelia Díaz, Latinos, Cámara, Acción
Las mujeres de verdad tienen curvas, performed at Summit High School, Summit, NJ, October8, 2022.
Praise for Las mujeres de verdad tienen curvas
'"Una nota para darte las gracias por la fiesta de luz y alegría que nos hicieron vivir tú y todo el elenco de Las mujeres de verdad tienen curvas. Para mí fue una noche maravillosa: ver a mis antiguos alumnos y alumnas. Reímos a todo dar. Fue una producción magníficamente dirigida. Te felicito. La transgresión del lenguaje y las costumbres actualizan un producto literario de hace más de treinta años. Lo ponen al día. Es una obra atemporal. Las corrientes migratorias han existido siempre. El elenco que subió a las tablas, femenino todo, fue fabuloso. Nos hicieron reír a pesar del substrato de dolor que entraña el tema. La risa a la que nos mueve la producción artística sirve para exorcizar la brutalidad y el trato inhumano que se les aplica aun en el día de hoy a los y las inmigrantes a este país o a cualquier país del mundo. Después de haber estallado uno en risas, con un imperceptible sentido de culpabilidad se pregunta uno si es legítimo reírse por ver a las costureras escondiéndose desesperadamente de la migra. Pero el mismo texto salva el dilema: también corrieron a esconderse las que tenían documentos. Por eso me encantó muchísimo la producción del 10 de enero, porque nos hace purgar de demonios y resentimientos el alma empantanada del dolor acumulado, y a la par ver la injusticia social que subyace a la forma de expresión. Mil gracias, Linda y todo el elenco por los cientos y cientos de hora de trabajo. Llevan ustedes un consuelo a miles de personas que sufrimos el drama de la emigración directa o indirectamente. Y también, fuera ya del paroxismo de luz, colorido y alegría, nos llevan a indagar en una trágica realidad que vivimos hoy en día.” Professor Valentín Soto, Spanish and Latino Studies, Montclair State University
“For an amateur theater group, this performance was quite extraordinary! Nuanced performances with an authentic set and staging. You really felt you were in a California sweatshop with these gals sweating it out. Their excellent sense of timing and ensemble acting made this a very satisfying theater experience.” Gloria Waldman, Professor Emerita of Spanish, York College, CUNY
“What a beautiful show and gifted actresses! The dance party at the end was THE BEST! I was inspired and felt so alive. Las mujeres de verdad tienen curvas sparked something I was missing and I can’t express what it means to me—the ripple effects that this shift is already having. An infinity of gratitude for this experience!” Melissa Vélez, Program Assistant for Undergraduate Advising, Psychology Department, Montclair State University
“The play was great, terrific, successful in every way. Everyone was excellent! The cast seemed even more comfortable than after their first performance and they were great the first time. They really seemed to be talking to each other and enjoying each other and they seemed really annoyed at each other when appropriate. Terrific camaraderie. I was more sorry than ever to miss the jokes, not knowing Spanish, because there was so much laughter from the audience. Congratulations! Alice Freed, Professor Emeritus of Linguistics, Montclair State University
“Latina ladies night in Montclair with laugh out loud fun that touches the heart—Las mujeres de verdad tienen curvas.” Lucy Candal-Fernández, Associate Director, Office of Student Financial Aid, Montclair State University
“Your play was fabulous in every way! Your actors are great, and it seems like your company is truly a family.” Joanna Stuart, photographer, Ph.D. Latin American Studies
“Hace tiempo que no me divertía tanto; me gustó mucho tu puesta en escena y las actrices estuvieron estupendas. Fue por otro lado muy grato ver a estudiantes y caras familiares apoyando esta empresa. Te felicito.” Professor Rogelio Zapata, Spanish and Latino Studies Department, Montclair State University