Reece Weaver has gone from the Dallas Cowboys sidelines to a Broadway murder scene, making her debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago at New York City’s Ambassador Theatre.
The 25-year-old former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader took her first bow on September 7, with husband Will Allman, her parents and former America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders castmates Kelly Villares and Charly Barby there to watch the milestone. Weaver even worked a little Netflix history into the performance, introducing herself during the famous “Roxie” monologue as “Roxie Hart, America’s Sweetheart.”
Villares and Barby, along with fellow former DCC Ava Lahey, also marked the occasion from Dallas, appearing in their cheerleading uniforms for a video set to “Roxie”. It was a fitting send-off for Weaver, who retired from the Cowboys Cheerleaders after three seasons, with her decision featured in the third season finale of the Netflix series.
Broadway, however, requires Weaver to leave the wholesome cheerleader image at the theatre door. Roxie is an adulterous wannabe vaudeville star who murders her lover and then manipulates the media and public in her pursuit of fame. For Weaver, who is openly religious, that meant getting comfortable with some very different dialogue. “I have never cussed more in my life than these past four weeks,” she told The New York Times. There was one line she refused to cross, however, telling the paper she would not say Roxie’s use of “G.D.”
The transition has also forced Weaver to rethink years of dance training. She began dancing at three, attended performing arts schools and earned a dance degree from the University of Alabama. But DCC choreography demands large movements across a football field, while Broadway requires much smaller, more contained performances. She has also been working on developing a deeper singing voice and learning how to project vocally.
The Broadway opportunity arrived quickly. Weaver was approached about auditioning for Chicago in June while promoting America’s Sweethearts, shortly after leaving the Cowboys Cheerleaders. She and Allman had just bought a home in Tuscaloosa, where they met at the University of Alabama, when the chance to play Roxie appeared. Weaver has said performing on Broadway had always been a goal, describing herself as someone who was “born and raised as a dancer.”
Weaver will play Roxie through October 18, joining a long list of actresses who have taken on the role since Chicago first premiered in 1975. Gwen Verdon originated the part, while the character has since been played on Broadway by stars including Pamela Anderson, Brooke Shields, Brandy Norwood, Ashlee Simpson, Ariana Madix and Whitney Leavitt. Renée Zellweger played Roxie in the Oscar-winning 2002 film. The stage revival opened in 1996 and won six Tony Awards the following year, while the production is now Broadway’s longest-running American musical. Its Kander and Ebb score includes “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “Roxie” and “Razzle Dazzle.” For Weaver, it’s a long way from Thunderstruck — and considerably more interesting.
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Last modified: September 11, 2026
