From ‘America’s Sweethearts’ to Broadway: Reece Weaver Joins Chicago
Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver Makes Broadway Debut in Chicago
Who Is Reece Weaver?
Imagine practicing dance your whole life, cheering for a famous football team, and then one day stepping onto the biggest stage in theater—Broadway! That’s exactly what’s happening for Reece Weaver.
- Background: Reece is a professional dancer and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (DCC).
- TV Fame: You might recognize her from the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
- Education: She earned a degree in dance from the University of Alabama, where she was also on the dance team.
- Big News: Starting September 7, she will play Roxie Hart in the long-running musical Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City.
- Run Length: Her engagement is scheduled for six weeks, through October 18.
Exciting Milestone: This is Reece’s Broadway debut—her very first time performing on a Broadway stage!
What Is Chicago?
Chicago is a famous musical set in the 1920s. It’s full of jazz, sparkling costumes, and sharp, sassy dancing. Think of it like a glitzy, dramatic story about fame, crime, and showbiz—all told through song and dance.
Quick Facts About Chicago
- Opened on Broadway: November 14, 1996
- Current Home: Ambassador Theatre (since January 29, 2003)
- Global Reach: Performed in 36 countries
- Audience: Seen by 33 million people worldwide
- Record: Second-longest running show in Broadway history (only The Phantom of the Opera ran longer)
Meet the Current Cast
When Reece joins, she’ll perform alongside these talented stars:
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Roxie Hart (current) | Krysta Rodriguez |
| Velma Kelly | Sophie Carmen-Jones |
| Billy Flynn | Mark Ballas |
| Matron “Mama” Morton | Jacqueline B. Arnold |
| Amos Hart | Eddie Cooper |
| Mary Sunshine | J. Workman |
Note: Reece will take over the role of Roxie Hart from Krysta Rodriguez starting September 7.
The Ensemble (The Supporting Dancers & Singers)
A huge group of performers—called the ensemble—helps bring the show to life every night. Here are some of the current members:
- Tia Altinay
- Ronnie S. Bowman Jr.
- Austin Dunn
- John Michael Fiumara
- Danielle Marie Gonzalez
- Chelsea James
- Christopher Kelley
- James T. Lane
- Jenny Laroche
- Marty Lawson
- Joseph London
- Kristen Faith Oei
- Denny Paschall
- Mariah Reives
- Sean Samuels
- Samantha Sturm
- Jeff Sullivan
- Elizabeth Yanick
Who Created Chicago?
A musical this big takes a village! Here are the key creators:
| Job | Person |
|---|---|
| Book (Story & Dialogue) | Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse |
| Music | John Kander |
| Lyrics (Words to Songs) | Fred Ebb |
| Direction | Walter Bobbie |
| Choreography (Dance Moves) | Ann Reinking |
| Set Design | John Lee Beatty |
| Costume Design | William Ivey Long |
| Lighting Design | Ken Billington |
| Sound Design | Scott Lehrer |
| Casting | ARC |
| Producers | Barry & Fran Weissler |
Award Alert: The current production won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 1997, plus awards for acting, directing, lighting, and choreography.
A Quick History of the Show (In Simple Steps)
- 1996: Chicago starts as a special limited run at New York City Center (part of the Encores! series).
- November 1996: Moves to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway.
- February 1997: Transfers to the Shubert Theatre.
- January 2003: Closes at the Shubert after a long run.
- January 29, 2003: Reopens at the Ambassador Theatre—where it’s still playing today!
Why This Matters
- Representation: Reece’s journey from NFL cheerleader to Broadway star shows that hard work and passion can take you anywhere.
- Inspiration: Young dancers everywhere can see a path from college dance teams → professional cheerleading → Broadway.
- Legacy: Chicago is a piece of theater history—and Reece is now part of it.
Important Point: Reece isn’t just filling a role—she’s bringing her own unique energy, training, and story to one of theater’s most iconic characters.
Summary
- Reece Weaver, former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and America’s Sweethearts star, makes her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
- She begins September 7 at the Ambassador Theatre for a six-week run (through October 18).
- Chicago is the second-longest running Broadway show ever, seen by 33 million people in 36 countries.
- Reece joins a star-studded cast including Mark Ballas, Krysta Rodriguez, and Sophie Carmen-Jones.
- The show is a Tony Award-winning revival with legendary creative roots (Fosse, Kander, Ebb, Reinking).
FAQ
1. Who is Reece Weaver?
Reece is a professional dancer, University of Alabama dance graduate, and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. She appeared on Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
2. What role will she play?
She will play Roxie Hart, one of the two lead female roles in Chicago. Roxie is a wannabe vaudeville star who ends up in jail and manipulates the media to get famous.
3. When and where can I see her?
- Start Date: September 7
- End Date: October 18 (six-week engagement)
- Theatre: Ambassador Theatre, New York City
4. Is Chicago still popular?
Yes! It’s the second-longest running show in Broadway history, playing since 1996, seen by 33 million people in 36 countries.
5. Who else is in the cast?
Key cast members include Mark Ballas (Billy Flynn), Sophie Carmen-Jones (Velma Kelly), Krysta Rodriguez (current Roxie Hart), Jacqueline B. Arnold (Mama Morton), and Eddie Cooper (Amos Hart).
Ready to see a cheerleader turn into a Broadway star? Reece Weaver’s debut in Chicago is a must-watch moment for dance and theater fans alike!