The musical world mourns the loss of Chris Peluso. The Broadway star enchanted fans from all over the world in productions such as “Mamma Mia!” and “wicked”. He died on Tuesday at the age of just 40 (1983-2023), as his family confirmed to theater magazine Playbill on Thursday. According to Entertainment Weekly, the musical star passed away “suddenly and unexpectedly” after taking a year off to be treated for schizoaffective disorder. There is no information about the exact cause of death.
Peluso came into the international spotlight in 2004 in the role of the ballad singer in the musical “Assassins” and in Elton John’s musical “Lestat”. Most celebrated were his appearances as Sky in “Mamma Mia!” and Fiyero in “Wicked” – two musicals that sold out consistently on Broadway. Peluso also delighted the London audience in “Show Boat”, “Miss Saigon” and “The Woman in White”.
Linda Goodrich, interim chair of the musical theater department at Peluso’s former university, the University of Michigan, commented on his death in a heartbreaking post on social media: “It is with heartbreak and deep sadness that our musical theater family announces the passing of our former student, the lovely, charismatic and blessed with divine talent Chris Peluso. Our hearts go out to his family.” Peluso is survived by wife Jessica Gomes, a daughter and a son.
