Chicago's Roxie Hart: Reece Weaver Extends Broadway Engagement
Reece Weaver has extended her run as Roxie Hart in Broadway's 'Chicago' for two additional weeks, now through November 1. The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, known from Netflix's 'America's Sweethearts,' made her Broadway debut in the role on September 7. She stars alongside Lissa deGuzman, Max von Essen, and NaTasha Yvette Williams.
Weaver's extension pushes her initial six-week commitment to roughly eight weeks on the Ambassador Theatre stage. Her casting drew attention partly because of her reality-television profile, with the Netflix docuseries following Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders during their demanding season. She trained at the University of Alabama before joining the NFL squad.
The production continues with its established creative team, including Tony-winning director Walter Bobbie and choreographer Ann Reinking. The current company pairs Weaver with Lissa deGuzman as Velma Kelly and Max von Essen as Billy Flynn, maintaining the revival's long-running presence on Broadway.
This casting choice reflects how Broadway increasingly draws performers from reality television and sports entertainment, potentially broadening audience demographics. Fans of "America's Sweethearts" may discover live theater through Weaver's visibility, while traditional theatergoers may gain exposure to crossover talent. The extension suggests strong ticket demand, which could encourage producers to consider similar nontraditional casting. However, the long-term impact on theater's artistic credibility remains uncertain, as commercial appeal and performance quality may not always align.