In this inspiring and hilarious comedic presentation, 'Macho Men and the Women Who Love Them', Maria Costa honors traditional values in a modern world. Onstage, Costa explodes with brilliant acting as she portrays an array of outrageous and hilarious characters. Maria breaks down cultural barriers during her journey of self-discovery, as she seeks advice from friends and family and brings out a colorful array of characters.
The Independent Woman
“The very thing that’s gonna put me in the nuthouse is what I’m attracted to!!” muses Maria, the personification of a confident Latina woman in today’s world, as she narrates the story of her life in a tumultuous relationship with a traditional Latino man.
The Macho Man
“I want you to cook for me, clean for me, have all ten of my babies!” A true macho’s proclamation of love, Maria’s boyfriend portrays the mindset of most men in that ultimately, what men really want is to be nurtured and respected.
MEET THE FAMILY
PEDRITO- The Ultimate Macho
“Rule #1: Men don’t cry, men drink!” If Machismo had a face, it would be found in Pedro, Maria’s philandering, headstrong father who is not shy about expressing his opinions on topics such as women’s rights and homosexuality. In the wise words of Pedrito, “Lesbians are the ultimate machos.”
WYKISHA
“You like Macho Men, I like the Benjamins, HEY!!!” Hair isn’t all she knows. Wykisha , Maria’s outspoken and sassy hairstylist/therapist, leaves Maria with some pearls of wisdom as she encourages her to follow her heart and do what makes her happy.
The MOTHER
“She doesn’t cook for my son! And today, she made him wash his own clothes!” Maria’s El Salvadorian future mother-in-law fully embodies traditional values in her opinionated views about Maria’s twentieth-century ways.
REBECCA- The Cubanita
“If I go to college, I’m gonna major in Tina-Turner-ology and minor in Ike-ology, just to piss him off!” After 30 years of marriage to Maria’s father, Rebecca has found solace in her inner-diva through her deep appreciation of superstar Tina Turner. Taking on topics like domestic violence and self-respect, the humble but feisty Rebecca tries to instill Maria with the life lessons she has learned through her own mistakes.
LALO a.k.a LOLA
“You want to make a relationship work, three words: COMP-RI-MISE” Even with his own struggles as a transgender male in a macho world, Maria’s brother Lalo also known as Lola, is able to make sense of the questions plaguing Maria’s mind throughout the show.
TIA FIENSTIEN
“I’m Jewish by injection, but definitely not by erection!” After her bout with Machos, Maria Magdalena Juanita Conchita Feinstein reaches out to the Jewish community for consolation. Not wanting Maria to follow the steps of the other women in her family, as she puts it “ either pregnant or crazy or sometimes both” she urges her to put career first.
LUPITA- The Voodoo Priestess
“Wake up and smell the café con leche!!” Famous words of advice uttered by Maria’s very fertile chicken-sacrificing-Santera Aunt who left behind her dreams of being a Broadway dancer for the love of a Macho.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
But don’t just take it from us, listen to what others have been saying about this fiery Cuban bombshell: “This is a show for adults who are prepared to look at their relationships, particularly young Latinos who may be stuck in gender role playing but who are open-minded enough to loosen the handcuffs of machismo…Maria takes a strong look at the Madonna/whore syndrome. She’ll have you laughing at yourself and wondering how you got that way. Maria pegs the Latino mystique with loving accuracy, delivering hilarious characters that mambo, samba, rant, rave and par-ty!” -Latin Style Magazine
