Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver has made her Broadway debut in the musical Chicago, playing the role of Roxie Hart, a character known for her involvement in a murder plot. Weaver officially began her role this week at New York's Ambassador Theatre. Sealy Sikes attended the opening night with her mother, Tammy Pack, who is a fan of the Netflix series America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which documents the cheerleaders' intense training and auditions. Sikes said she wasn't familiar with Weaver before the performance but was impressed by her stage presence. She noted that Weaver's performance started off "a little shaky" but added that, had she not known it was Weaver's first time on stage, she wouldn't have noticed. Weaver’s casting, known as "stunt casting," initially made Sikes nervous about her ability to transition from the football field to the stage. Sikes said Weaver’s strengths lie in acting and dancing, and while she is a capable singer, that may not be her strongest skill. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that Weaver performed well in the role. Stunt casting, which involves casting celebrities or public figures in theatrical roles, is often criticized for potentially taking roles away from professional actors. However, Sikes suggested it could be beneficial for long-running shows like Chicago, the longest-running Broadway production, by drawing in audiences. Weaver shared her excitement about being cast in Chicago on TikTok, calling it one of her "biggest dreams as a performer." Her post, which has been viewed over six million times, reflects the public's enthusiasm for her new role. Mickey-Jo Boucher, a theatre critic and content creator, said stunt casting is used to "interest ticket buyers," particularly for shows that may be "slowing down at the box office." However, he acknowledged that it is not always well-received, as it can potentially take opportunities away from established theatre actors and might affect the overall quality of the show. He emphasized that maintaining the show's quality remains the most important factor. Chicago's decision to cast Weaver is not the first time a Broadway production has chosen a celebrity. Earlier this year, rapper Megan Thee Stallion was cast as Zidler in Moulin Rouge!, becoming the first woman to play the role of the nightclub boss. Although she left the show early, her performance received strong reviews and helped boost interest in the production. Similarly, Six The Musical recently booked Grammy-winning singer Abigail Barlow and content creator Dylan Mulvaney for a run of shows in January. Boucher noted that when shows face challenges, they often turn to celebrity casting to keep other people employed and maintain audience interest. Weaver’s role has already drawn her fans to Broadway, with some, like Samantha Milo, waiting to meet her at the theatre's stage door on her debut night. Milo said she believes there is some stunt casting involved but that Weaver is a great addition regardless. She noted that Weaver has been dancing and performing her whole life and that this was a significant goal for her. Having Reece step into the role helps new fans who may never have considered seeing Chicago find a way to enjoy the show. The production will run for six weeks, concluding on 18 October.