Real Women Have Curves: Justina Machado Shines on Broadway
Experience the runaway hit praised by Time Out New York as the year’s most relevant show!!
Image: Instagram
Still bringing that chingona energy to Broadway night after night, Justina Machado is commanding the stage in Real Women Have Curves: The Musical. Hailed by Time Out New York as “the most relevant musical of the year,” the production blends powerful storytelling with fresh faces and legacy talent.
Chingona Energy On Stage
Since opening at the James Earl Jones Theatre, the show has become a beacon for contemporary immigrant narratives. Machado, known for her Emmy-nominated turn on Jane the Virgin and memorable roles in Six Feet Under and ER, steps into the role of Carmen, a proud mother fighting to preserve her family’s unity while championing her daughter’s dreams. Her every gesture exudes confidence—chingona, as she playfully puts it—drawing the audience into a world both intimate and universal.
An Instagram post on January 31 captured Machado mid-performance, her expression fierce, costume vibrant, and the house lights dimmed behind her. The caption read: “Still bringing that chingona energy to Broadway night after night! See ‘the most relevant musical of the year’ (Time Out New York) before it’s too late.” Fans have taken notice, snapping photos and stories that flood social feeds with praise.
A Story That Resonates
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical, adapted from Josefina López’s 1992 play and the 2002 film, follows Ana, a first-generation American in East Los Angeles, who yearns for independence beyond her family’s expectations. Machado’s character, Carmen, embodies the heart of the narrative: a single mother balancing cultural traditions and modern ambitions. In an earlier Instagram share, she celebrated the show’s urgency: “It’s raw, it’s powerful, and it’s an experience you won’t forget. The urgency of today’s immigrant experience, ripped from the headlines, takes center stage.”
Critics agree. The New York Times lauded the production’s emotional depth, while BroadwayWorld has praised the cast’s ensemble work. Highlights include a scene in which Carmen delivers a monologue about body image, drawn from her own life. “It’s one of the things the show is trying to say: ‘This is your body. It’s beautiful no matter what,’” Machado told The New York Times. “That’s a challenge every night, but I’m proud of myself.”
Additionally, the musical’s original score, composed by Benjamin Vélez and Naomi Wagner, has been nominated for Best Original Score at the Tonys, showcasing its rich blend of Latin rhythms and contemporary pop.
Tony Recognition
Machado’s performance has earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical—her first Tony nod. At the 78th Tony Awards, she joined fellow nominees in an evening of celebration and camaraderie. An Instagram carousel from June shows her radiant in a custom Christian Siriano gown, gloves by C’est Jeanne, and jewelry from Alexis Bittar. Styled by Kyle Anthony Sosa and Jeauni Cassanova, with makeup by Jocelyn Biga and hair by Cassy, she posed alongside industry veterans, soaking in the moment. “I AM A TONY NOMINEE!!!!” she wrote, alongside photos of the Tony Awards Luncheon.
Beyond awards, Machado uses her platform to engage with audiences. In a recent backstage video, she greeted fans with a cheeky “¿De nada!” after a wave of applause. She also teased upcoming episodes of “Las Chismosas de Boyle Heights,” an in-show experience that brings offstage drama home, promising new trailers and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Broadway And Beyond
Justina Machado’s journey began in Chicago, where she studied theater before moving to television and film. Over two decades, she has built a versatile resume—earning Critics’ Choice and Imagen Awards nominations—and now returns to her theatrical roots. Real Women Have Curves marks her Broadway debut in a lead role, though she appeared in national tours and workshops prior. Directed by May Adrales, with choreography by Alex Sanchez and set design by Peter Nigrini, the production integrates multimedia projections with intimate dance sequences. The limited engagement is scheduled through late September, with potential extensions if demand holds.
Audiences have responded with standing ovations, and box office reports show sold-out weekends through the summer. With its blend of salsa-infused choreography, bilingual dialogue, and stories drawn from lived experience, the musical resonates far beyond New York.
As ticket sales soar, theaters are encouraging patrons to book in advance. Time Out New York’s recommendation is clear: “See it before it’s too late.” For those craving a night of heart, humor, and unfiltered honesty—anchored by a chingona lead—Real Women Have Curves remains must-see theater.
Machado continues to prove that relevance and representation can ignite Broadway. With her Tony nod and glowing reviews, her performance cements this show as one of the season’s standouts. Fans can catch her on stage most nights, where she brings that trademark energy—and a message that everyone deserves to claim their power.
Trivia
Read full bio of Poulami Nag
