As a young girl in Mexico City, performing since the age of three, singer-actor-writer-director Florencia Cuenca always loved the shows there and on Broadway, in addition to the music of her own cultural heritage and American pop hits, which she listened to on the radio and watched on YouTube videos of concerts at 54 Below. When she and her husband Jaime Lozano (also a supremely talented and acclaimed musical multi-hyphenate from Monterrey, Mexico) were married on November 7, 2015, they planned a month-long honeymoon in NYC beginning on December 7, but a few days before their return flight to Mexico on January 7, 2016, they decided to stay, and made New York their second home and residence.
Cuenca has often noted that, “as a brown curvy immigrant with an accent,” she didn’t yet have many options to be a leading lady in a Broadway show, so the couple worked hard to create opportunities for “all the people who look and sound different.” Their skill and dedication paid off, and, following innumerable sold-out concerts of their original shows A Never-Ending Line, Songs by an Immigrant, Broadway en Spanglish, Desaparecidas, and Mi Ofrenda, Mis Canciones, at such acclaimed venues as Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, The Kraine, and 54 Below, she has now been cast in her first role on Broadway, in the upcoming musical Real Women Have Curves, with previews beginning on April 1, at the James Earl Jones Theatre.
Based on the eponymous play by Josefina López and the screenplay of the HBO film adaptation by López and George LaVoo, the new musical version, with a book by Lisa Loomer with Nell Benjamin, music and lyrics by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez, and directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, is set in East LA in the summer of 1987, and follows the story of the García family, their struggling garment business, the ambitions, expectations, and dynamics of two generations of women, and the courage needed to follow their dreams.
Florencia graciously made time to answer my questions about the show, her role, and achieving her own dream of starring on Broadway.
What was your reaction when you got word that you were cast in your first Broadway show, and why is this so important for all immigrant women in the theater community?
Florencia: When people used to ask me, “What is your dream role?,” I would always say: “Originate a lead role on Broadway.” It has always been my dream. I feel extremely blessed to be a curvy Mexican immigrant originating the role of a curvy Mexican immigrant. I’ve seen amazing first, second, and third generation Latine performers on stage but I rarely have seen a Latine immigrant on stage. I feel so proud to represent my community.
Can you tell us a little about the story and who you portray?
Real Women Have Curves is based on the 1990 play by Josefina López, and the 2002 HBO hit film. This film was the one that put the amazing America Ferrera – someone who has been a great inspiration for me – on the map. The show is a story about family, love, dreams, female empowerment, and body positivity. I play Estela, who owns the García’s sewing factory but is undocumented; because of that, it has been very challenging to follow her dreams. She came to the States when she was a kid with her family, she had to learn English, and she also had to start working very young to help her family.
What do you find most relatable about your character?
I completely see myself in this character. She is a Mexican curvy immigrant. Obviously, she has an accent. Like me. Someone who loves her family and loves community. Someone who has big dreams but thinks those are impossible to achieve and thinks she is already very late for that. But like myself, she is a hard worker, always helping her family and community, putting others first, before herself.
How would you describe the musical stylings?
I love the music by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez. Joy Huerta is a very famous and important pop music artist in Mexico, from a pop duet named Jesse & Joy. I grew up listening to their music, singing their songs out loud everywhere – hahaha; I can’t believe I am going to sing her songs now on a Broadway stage! The songs are fun and catchy. I love the fusion of pop with some Mexican elements. I think audiences are really going to enjoy this sound. It is different from everything on Broadway before but very enjoyable to listen to, and, of course, to sing.
What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
I strongly believe in the power of REPRESENTATION. When I was a kid, I couldn’t see people that looked like myself. Even when I was dreaming of Broadway, I thought it was impossible. Of course, there were some Latine artists who have been my inspiration – Rita Moreno, Chita Rivera, Bianca Marroquín, Sara Ramírez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mandy Gonzalez, Eden Espinosa, to name a few, but our journey has been very different, with me growing up in Mexico. Almost ten years ago I moved to NYC and now that this dream is coming true, I want those little Mexican or Latine girls to know that it is possible. Those girls may be in some Latin-American countries where they are only going to be able to see videos. I was that kid in Mexico, watching Broadway performances on YouTube; I didn’t have the money to come to see shows. But I made it. I can’t believe it but I made it. I want those girls to know that it is possible. Our stories are important, our dreams are important, we are important and deserve the big stage. Keep dreaming and doing everything in your hands to get closer to those dreams.
Many thanks, Florencia, for giving our readers a sneak peek at Real Women Have Curves and your character, and congratulations on living your American Dream! I look forward to seeing you on the Broadway stage in April.
Real Women Have Curves plays Tuesday, April 1-Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the James Earl Jones Theatre, 138 West 48th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $74-279, including fees), go online.
