It was 2016. Broadway was buzzing. The revival of She Loves Me at Studio 54 seemed like a literal dream. You had Laura Benanti, the quintessential musical theater darling, and Zachary Levi, the charming nerd-king from Chuck, falling in love over letters and vanilla ice cream. On stage, the chemistry was electric. Off stage? Well, that’s a different story.
Honestly, looking back at it now from 2026, the rift between these two is one of the most jarring "expectation vs. reality" scenarios in recent theater history. For years, fans thought they were the best of friends. They did the Today show together. They shared ice cream for the cameras. They even did the Tangled animated series together later on. But as it turns out, the vibes weren't just "not great"—they were actively uncomfortable for one of them.
The Dance Party That Wasn't
If you’ve ever worked in a high-pressure environment, you know that one person who tries to force "mandatory fun." According to Benanti, that person was Levi. During the run of She Loves Me, Levi apparently tried to organize nightly pre-show dance parties.
He wanted everyone to get hyped. Benanti? She just wanted to do her job.
👉 See also: Pat Lalama Journalist Age: Why Experience Still Rules the Newsroom
She recently opened up on That’s a Gay Ass Podcast, and she didn't hold back. She described him as "sucking up all the energy in the room." She even used the word "mansplain." Imagine being a Tony winner like Benanti and having a guy who is relatively new to the Broadway grind trying to explain your own part to you. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to crawl into a hole, or in her case, just stay in your dressing room.
The Breaking Point: Gavin Creel
The friction between Benanti and Levi might have remained a "theatre kid secret" if it weren't for the tragic passing of Gavin Creel in late 2024. Creel was the glue of the Broadway community—a genuinely beloved human who died of a rare cancer (metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma) at just 48.
The fallout happened because of how Levi chose to "honor" him.
✨ Don't miss: Why Sexy Pictures of Mariah Carey Are Actually a Masterclass in Branding
In an Instagram Live that went viral for all the wrong reasons, Levi implied that Creel’s death was linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, using the term "turbo cancer." He framed this within a larger political rant supporting Donald Trump. For Benanti, this wasn't just a difference of opinion; it was a betrayal of a man she actually cared about.
She was blunt: "F--k you forever."
Benanti clarified that Levi and Creel weren't even friends. To her, seeing Levi try to "squeeze out a single tear" for a political agenda was the final straw. It’s rare to see a Broadway star be this raw and public about a former co-star, but the grief over Creel clearly stripped away any desire for professional politeness.
🔗 Read more: Lindsay Lohan Leak: What Really Happened with the List and the Scams
A Massive Shift in Public Image
It’s wild to see how much Levi’s brand has shifted. He went from being the lovable Flynn Rider to becoming a lightning rod for controversy. Some fans on Reddit and social media have noted that his behavior seemed to change significantly after his divorce and certain mental health struggles he’s been open about in his book.
- The "Nice Guy" Facade: Many fans feel let down, feeling like the "Chuck Bartowski" persona was just that—a persona.
- The Faith-Based Pivot: Benanti herself predicted that Levi isn't "killing his career." Instead, he’s pivoting. The faith-based and conservative film market is a billion-dollar industry.
- The Broadway Bridge: While Levi hasn't been back to the boards recently, the bridge to the traditional Broadway community seems effectively burned.
Why This Matters for Fans
When we watch a show like She Loves Me, we want to believe the magic is real. We want Georg and Amalia to be soulmates in real life, or at least grab a drink after the show. The Benanti/Levi saga is a reminder that Broadway is a workplace. Sometimes your coworkers are great, and sometimes they're people you’re counting down the minutes to get away from.
If you’re looking to revisit their work, you can still watch the filmed version of She Loves Me on BroadwayHD. It’s a masterpiece of scenic design and performance. But now, when you see Benanti’s Amalia looking annoyed with Levi’s Georg in the first act? You might realize she wasn't just acting.
What to Do Next
If you’re a fan of the show and feeling a bit bummed out by the drama, the best way to move forward is to support the causes Gavin Creel actually cared about.
- Donate to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS: This was Gavin's heart and soul.
- Watch Benanti’s other work: Her performance in Gypsy or her recent comedy specials show she’s much more than just a "soprano."
- Separate the art from the artist: You can still love the 2016 revival for the beautiful production it was, while acknowledging that the people making it are human and, sometimes, complicatedly at odds.
Ultimately, the theater survives. People come and go, but the stories stay. Just maybe don't expect a 10-year reunion for the 2016 cast anytime soon.