I often attend theater performances at CASA0101 Theater in Boyle Heights. Josefina López founded it twenty-five years ago.
Real Women Have Curves is now on Broadway
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical opened on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre on April 27, 2025. Josefina López created the original play Real Women Have Curves in 1988. She co-authored the film, Real Women Have Curves, with George LaVoo. It became a 2002 Sundance Film Festival award-winning film.
Josefina López’s original play and her film are the source materials for the new Broadway musical. Lisa Loomer and Nell Benjamin wrote the book, with music and lyrics by Joy Huerta. Benjamin Velez directed with choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
The musical is based on the characters Josefina created. Lisa Loomer expanded it and added some new characters to the musical. It is an exciting success story for López and the Chicana community.
Tuesdays with Morrie
Tuesdays with Morrie was adapted from the New York Times Bestseller of the same name. It is an autobiographical account of a successful sports journalist and his college professor and mentor, who inspires him to continue his education. The play runs through May 11, 2025.
Vance Valencia stars as Morrie, an ailing university professor. Valencia expertly performed the role of Willy Loman at the theater in Death of a Salesman last year and is equally excellent in this. Gilbert Reynosa, a gifted musician and professional actor, plays Mitch, a sports journalist.
Mitch learns Morrie has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and reconnects with him. His career is at its pinnacle, covering sporting events. Initially, Mitch, who has a packed schedule, only planned a quick visit with Morrie. However, this becomes a weekly occurrence on Tuesdays, even though the two men live in different states.
Despite his debilitating illness, Morrie is an inspiring presence in Mitch’s life. They spend each Tuesday together ruminating about living life positively and meaningfully, despite obstacles and challenges.
At first, Mitch resists Morrie’s advice, but each visit presents new life lessons. They continue with their Tuesday meetings until Morrie’s death. The love and respect between the two men deepen. Each lesson is relatable to anyone who has dealt with balancing life with career, terminal illness, and death.
Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom adapted the play based on Albom’s book. Miguel Angel Delgado aptly directs.
Mitch Albom is an American novelist, journalist, and musician. He has sold 40 million books worldwide and received 13 Associated Press Sports Editors columnist awards as a sports journalist.
CASA0101, located in Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles, frequently presents plays based on the Chicano experience. For those unfamiliar with the struggles of the Chicano community, CASA0101 is an excellent performance space to learn more about the area’s history.
Every time I attend, I learn something new that isn’t taught in schools. This includes previous mass deportations that had profound effects on the community.
Given the horrendous and inhumane deportations taking place today, I recommend that all of you reading this review take the time to visit Boyle Heights and CASA0101 to educate yourself on L.A.’s rich cultural heritage.
What you may not know is that Boyle Heights was a heavily Jewish neighborhood up until the 1940s. Canter’s Deli originated there in the 1930s, until it moved to the Fairfax District.
The book, Tuesdays with Morrie, is based on two Jewish characters but is performed by two Latino actors. The story and the lessons learned will resonate with anyone going through life and will leave you enlightened.
Leave a Reply