Real Women Have Curves - Previews- Page 4

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 1:55pm

thatdarnzach said: "None, sightlines are (shockingly - for this season) excellent across the board."

I had to laugh at this comment because it's so accurate. There have many shows this season where unless you are dead center, people are having sight and sound issues all over the theater. This particular show plays to the entire theater and I love seeing how everyone is loving it. Such a special show and completely affordable for the season. 

Updated On: 4/11/25 at 01:55 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 2:16pm

I didn't have the highest expectations going into this. A few of the early boosters in this thread are people whose tastes...don't always align with mine, and I've been slightly underwhelmed by most of the hyped openers this season. I thought MAYBE HAPPY ENDING was fine, but whatever made people so passionate about it eluded me. I really enjoyed OPERATION MINCEMEAT, which had some incredible highs even if I don't think the whole entirely came together and I didn't quite love it. BOOP was fun and certainly joyful, but dumb and poorly written. Meanwhile the early videos they released of this were not inspiring.

I loved it. 

This show is also joy, but joy with substance (vs Boop's sugary, cotton candy, substance-free version of joy; not necessarily anything wrong with that). The show manages to develop nearly a dozen characters with distinct personalities who feel like real people. The songs are terrific and well-integrated into a well-developed storyline (After so many bad books this season...here's one that's actually good!). There were a few instances early on where I thought it was obvious where the story was going...and then it didn't, subverting expectations in the best way. It touches on serious subjects and real issues, has dramatic and heartbreaking moments...but retains its humor and, yes, joy, for a truly full experience.

I'm usually annoyed when audience members are too reactive at random moments, but there was one moment here (a confrontation in the factory where the main character unexpectedly steps forward) that made me burst into applause. I was the only one at first (though a few others soon followed around the audience) because it was randomly in the middle of the scene (fuller applause ensued at the actual end of the scene.) So embarrassing, but I couldn't help it. I was that invested, and it was that good.

The only reason I think this show might be undervalued compared to the other openers is that it may be too "traditional" in style and structure (if not in subject) than some of the flashier or artsier options. But it accomplishes everything so well that it reminded me of the pleasures of a traditional musical. If this show isn't nominated for Best Musical, especially over Boop, Smash, or Just in Time, then the Tonys aren't worth a thing.

I wish the producers were being smarter about the pricing (especially the lottery pricing). This is a show that deserves to find an audience and appears to need all the help it can get.

TLDR: Go. It's terrific.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 2:23pm

RUkiddingme said: "raddersons said: "The duet with the boyfriend was great fun,."

Yeah all the women are great - but the boyfriend - Mason Reeves as Henry is the best performed/ written nerdy young man since Justin Cooley stole his scenes in Kimberly Akimbo!

 

Interesting that you'd mention that.  I've seen the show 2x so far and going back next week.  My one criticism was that, whether it was intentional or not, the actor who played Henry used the EXACT same vocal inflections and mannerisms as Justin Cooley in KIMBERLY.  

Also, was the bitchy customer meant to look and sound exactly like a certain Broadway diva we all know and love??

Updated On: 4/11/25 at 02:23 PM

[Ricey2]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 3:07pm

Saw this on Thursday and walked out absolutely in love. I am amazed at how great this was. It really did shoot to my top pick for best new musical. I need to see it again.

[CJRochester]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 7:03pm

It's great to hear these positive reports. Does anyone have a discount code that works after the preview period? The codes I've seen are only good during previews. I'm looking for early June. 

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 9:58pm

CJRochester said: "It's great to hear these positive reports. Does anyone have a discount code that works after the preview period? The codes I've seen are only good during previews. I'm looking for early June."

Use code CURVES

[Miss10036]

Posted: 4/12/25 at 1:08am

Agree with the positive reports.  What it is is a sturdy show with good bones that's just all-around solid.  It's one of those productions where you can tell that the creatives are all on the same page about how to best serve the story.  Wonderful and interesting women to root for, moving and timely storylines, buoyant music, and cohesive design elements.  I loved the floral aesthetic, projections, and sets and costumes, and I hope it slides into one of those bubble slots in the best musical musical race.  It would be a shame it if gets lost in the flurry of spring openings.  I've been thinking about how despite its similarly slow start, MHE had the benefit of feeling like the only game in town with the lack of new musicals in the fall, which is something RWHC doesn't have.  I hope this doesn't fly far enough under the radar that people realize too late that they've slept on it, because it's really good.  The title number is certainly one of the biggest bursts of joy this season, and given how unsettled the featured actress field is, I'd be happy to see Justina Machado or Florencia Cuenca get some recognition.  If I'd knock it for two things, it's that the lyrics and dialogue can sometimes get very on-the-nose, with lot of characters directly proclaiming how they feel, and that the second act can use some tightening.  There's one song that could be cut, but I also enjoyed it a lot and it got one of the better reactions when I went.  I don't think I feel quite as effusively as others—personally, I thought it was terrific though not transcendent—but it's so likable and I'd easily recommend it to anyone.  You can't go wrong with RWHC.

Digital rush when I went last weekend was very easy to get and the seats seemed to be in the first few rows orchestra center.  I wish it wasn't more expensive ($59) than other shows' rush options, but I also get that they've gotta start making money and it's the same price as TDF anyway.  Well worth it.