Lee Pelty

Lee Pelty (died 29 November 2009) was an American musical theatre actor, best known for his performances in numerous productions of Fiddler on the Roof," "Man of La Mancha," "1776," and more. Because of audience demand, Pelty most frequently appeared to sold-out crowds at the Old Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Chicago. Beginning in the late 1950's, Pelty was honored by the city and its theatrical community as the most outstanding musical talent in the entire Chicagoland area that included six states in the midwest.

Born in Colon City, Panama as Isaac Lee Peltynovich (Pelty), he attended Purdue University as a member of the class of 1957. In addition to his studies, Pelty sang with the Purdue University Varsity Mens Glee Club directed by an imaginative showman named Al Stewart. Pelty's impressive successes with the Glee Club were the springboard for his professional musical career. The Purdue Glee Club was internationally known as one of the best all-male college singing groups in the world and Pelty was its leading soloist and star attraction. At about 6'4" and slender, he was an imposing talent with a magnificent voice. In each concert, he appeared as a striking figure in the group's traditional concert attire of white tie and tails. 56 men, all students at Purdue and strictly amateur singers, were selected from hundreds of the best applicants each semester and became the "traveling/touring" Varsity Men's Glee Club. Pelty was its most outstanding talent. He had a powerful, melodious 2nd tenor voice with which, as a soloist with an amazing repertoire of classic songs from the 1920's through the 1950's, entertained thousands of fans in hundreds of concerts. In each concert, Pelty always was asked to sing his very personal "Al Jolson Songbook." Tears filled the eyes of the audiences when they heard Al Jolson's voice and phrasing seemingly being channeled through Pelty standing center-stage, alone, in a small spotlight. It was as though Jolson had returned when the audiences heard, "Mammy," "Swanee," and "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby."

One summer, the Glee Club sang in the Hollywood Bowl, The Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel, and Oklahoma's "Under The Stars." Pelty was the main attraction everyone came to hear. In another year, the Glee Club sang for President Eisenhower's Inauguration in Washington, DC. Pelty captivated the audience with his talent. In his singing career, Isaac Peltynovich (Lee Pelty) was, indeed, a star that burned brightly.

Beginning in 1971, he appeared as Tevye in four separate productions of Fiddler on the Roof. The first of these earned him The Joseph Jefferson Award. Over the course of his career, he performed the role of Tevye over 2,000 times

Death

Lee Pelty died at his Lincoln Park home on November 29, 2009, aged 74, after a battle with lung cancer.

References

Ron Michaels