Northeastern Illinois University’s Stage Center Theatre will launch Josefina López’s “Real Women Have Curves” on Dec 1.
Set in a tiny sewing factory in East L.A., “Real Women Have Curves” is the comedic story of five full-figured Mexican-American women who are racing to meet nearly impossible production deadlines in order to keep their tiny factory from going under. And while they work, hiding from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, they talk ... about their husbands and lovers, their children, and their dreams for the future.
After the Dec. 2 performance, the theater will host a discussion on Latinas in Chicago theater featuring three actresses who are part of UrbanTheater Company:
- Melissa DuPrey, Recently seen in "Good Friday" at Oracle Productions and "The Compass" at Steppenwolf
- Tamika L. Morales, Recently seen in "Fefu and Her Friends" at Halcyon Theatre
- Jasmin Cardenas, Recently seen in "Forgotten Future" at Collaboraction and "The Compass" at Steppenwolf
The discussion is sponsored by Que Ondee Sola.
"Real Women Have Curves" is told from the point of view of Ana, the youngest among them. Just graduated from high school, Ana dreams of getting out of the barrio and going off to college and becoming a famous writer. Although she needs the money, Ana doesn't like working at the factory and has little respect for her coworkers who make fun of her ambitions and what they consider her idealistic feminist philosophies. However, Ana keeps coming to her job and chronicling her experiences in a journal.
As the summer unfolds, Ana slowly gains an understanding and appreciation of the work and the women, eventually writing an essay that wins her a journalism fellowship that will take her to New York City. This play, a microcosm of the Latina immigrant experience, celebrates real women's bodies, the power of women, and the incredible bond that happens when women work together.
“Real Women Have Curves” runs Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 10 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at The Stage Center Theatre, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets are $10, $8, and $6 and are free to Northeastern students, faculty and staff with a Northeastern ID. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (773) 442-4630.
