Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver swaps boots for Broadway
BBC • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Reece Weaver, former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and star of Netflix's America's Sweethearts, made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago at New York's Ambassador Theatre.
- Despite initial criticism that her celebrity profile influenced her casting more than talent, audience reactions and reviews praised Weaver's acting and dancing, noting only minor early-stage nerves.
- The practice of stunt casting celebrities in Broadway shows like Chicago is seen as a strategy to boost ticket sales and maintain audience interest, though it raises concerns about opportunities for established theatre actors.
- Previous examples of stunt casting include rapper Megan Thee Stallion in Moulin Rouge! and Grammy-winner Abigail Barlow in Six The Musical, both of which increased public interest and attendance.
- Weaver expressed that performing on Broadway was a lifelong dream, and her role has already drawn fans to the theatre, highlighting the potential positive impact of celebrity casting on long-running shows.
