Garry Marshall Theatre presents "REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES"

The fear of the undocumented in America is primary in this coming of age comedy and season opener at Garry Marshall Theatre of "REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES."

Ana (Julianna Stephanie Ojeda) and Estella (Sherry Mandujano)

Set in present day, this all Latina woman production features Sherry Mandujano as Estela, owner of her own sewing factory in downtown LA, who is in constant fear of being discovered as undocumented and deported by ICE. She works to exhaustion in 99 degree sweat shop conditions with her mother, Carmen (Blanca Araceli), Claudia Duran as Rosali, Jackie Garcia as Pancha, and Julianna Stephanie Ojeda as Ana, Estella’s younger sister, who is saving money for college and dreams of becoming a writer. Carmen, Ana, Rosali and Pancha are all legally in the US, and working with Estela who is deep in debt and just trying to keep her doors open.

 Estella (Sherry Mandujano), Carmen (Blanca Araceli), Ana (Julianna Stephanie Ojeda), Pancha (Jackie Garcia), and Rosali (Claudia Duran)

These women are first generation in the US, living in East L.A., with their cultural heritage in every aspect of their lives. Women of every ethnicity, of every age, strive for respect and self-acceptance, and we relate to this story. After long hours working in sweltering conditions, Ana can’t take the heat any longer and strips down to her underwear, with all the other women following her in a fantastic scene of women realizing their beauty whatever shape or size. This is a play of women realizing their power, and the confidence they feel in a society that judges everything we do, and everything we are.

Rosali (Claudia Duran), Carmen (Blanca Araceli), Estella (Sherry Mandujano), and Pancha (Jackie Garcia) 

All the actors are real and wonderful in their roles, and we get a vivid sense of how emotional and powerless they feel at times. Through friendship, and by supporting each other, these women succeed and gain self-acceptance.

"REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES" was a Sundance award-winning film in the late 80s. This production features script updates so very relevant to 2018 that tackle issues that women face daily, and of course immigration. Josefina Lopez has written a script that goes to the heart of her own life experience. Wonderful direction by Mary Jo Duprey, with a beautiful set design.

Garry Marshall Theatre has a winner in this first play of their second season. Come and enjoy. It is fun, poignant, heartwarming, and a MUST see.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

Cast: Blanca Araceli, Claudia Duran, Jackie Garcia, Sherry Mandujano, Juliana Stephanie Ojeda

Understudies: Marlene Luna, Ariella Fiore

Directed by: Mary Jo Duprey

Scenic Design: Tanya Orellana

Lighting Design: Karyn D. Lawrence

Sound Design: Corinne Carrillo

Costume Design: Jessica Champagne-Hansen

Properties Design: Sydney F Russell

Dramaturgy: Katherine Nigh

Production Stage Manager: Giselle N. Vega

Casting Director: Jami Rudofsky

Garry Marshall Theatre

4252 W Riverside Dr

Burbank, CA 91505

Box Office: (818) 955-8101

Website: GarryMarshallTheatre.org 

Facebook: facebook.com/GarryMarshallTheatre 

Twitter: @GMTheatre.org

Instagram: @garrymarshalltheatre

Tickets: $52 - $65

Previews: October 10 and 11, 2018

Opening: October 12, 2018

Runs through: November 18, 2018

Thursday – Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm

Select Performances on: Wednesday, October 17th at 8pm; Saturday, October 27th at 2pm;

Sunday, November 4th at 7:30pm; and Wednesday, November 7th at 8pm