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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver Trades Boots for Broadway as Roxie Hart
Six months after a shocking midseason exit from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad, Reece Weaver is trading her boots for jazz shoes — cast as Roxie Hart in Broadway's long-running "Chicago."
NEW YORK — Reece Weaver, the former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader whose abrupt exit from the squad shocked fans of Netflix's "America's Sweethearts," announced Tuesday that she's making her Broadway debut — as Roxie Hart in "Chicago."
Weaver revealed the news live on "CBS Mornings," breaking into a few of choreographer Bob Fosse's signature moves alongside co-host Gayle King. The 24-year-old will step into the long-running musical's leading role at the Ambassador Theatre for a six-week engagement running September 7 through October 18, according to Broadway.com.
From the sidelines to center stage
Weaver's departure from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders earlier this year was one of the more unexpected storylines to come out of the Netflix docuseries that has turned the squad's rookies and veterans alike into minor celebrities. Her exit went largely unexplained at the time, leaving fans of the show speculating for months, according to E! News.
"CHICAGO" — ON BROADWAY SINCE 1996.
"Chicago" has run continuously on Broadway since its 1996 revival, making it the longest-running American musical currently on the boards, and the Roxie Hart role has served as a launching pad for a long line of pop-culture crossovers, from Ashlee Simpson to Christie Brinkley. Weaver's casting continues that tradition, betting on the reach of reality-TV fame to draw new audiences into the theater.
Weaver has kept a relatively low profile since leaving the DCC roster, though she recently surfaced in a partnership with activewear brand Halara. Her Broadway run will overlap with the start of the Cowboys' regular season, adding an extra layer of attention as former teammates and NFL fans watch to see how the transition plays out.