I was searching for Laurie to hear her beautiful voice and just found out about her death. I saw her in Joseph in 1982 when I was pregnant with my daughter. I fell in love - she was the best narrator as I have seen other people comment. She is the only performer I ever went to see in cabaret. The premise for the show was that she would sing songs from shows in which she had been, but not the songs she sang in them. A woman in the audience kept demanding that she sing Memory but she stuck to her guns. I was very proud of her as that woman seemed like a scary mother who was used to getting her own way. I have been listening to Memory over and over and crying. I wish I didn't know she's not out there, but then of course, she is. She will always be in my heart.

Laurie Changed my life when I was introduced to her music.

Laurie was my distant cousin and I saw her in each Broadway production but will never forget how wonderful she was to my 16 year old son when he went with his Confirmation class to NY and went to see CATS. She took him backstage and gave me a most unforgettable experience. Even now, so many years later he and I are still so touched by the lovely Laurie.

I went to see Cats during Laurie's run but, her understudy went on, I was so upset because, I have always thought she was amazingly talented with a magical beauty that touched everyone.Laurie will be greatly missed but, we must know that she sings in Heaven waiting for us someday when we will all be called home."Let her Memory live again"

i feel blessed that laurie's talent was shared with the world. i am grateful that i have been touched, and so moved by laurie's powerful and inviting voice!!! she had that genuine gift to reach people!!!

forever grateful for her contibutions, her gererosity and selflessness when it came to making a difference in the lives of others. the world is truly a better place since she graced us with her preasance!!! you have given of yourself, and i hope that while you were here you were aware of how much you were treasured by others. thank you for all you gave in the short time you were here!!! "there's one more angel in heaven" still missed but appreciate what we received when you were here!!! and continue to be touched by your angelic voice!!! thank you laurie!!!

Thinking of you always, listening to your glorious voice as often as I can ,and remembering you with love on your birthday. Your gifts to us are never diminished by time or events. Your star continues to shine. Love to you Claudia and Sue. Hope you're well. Thank you ,Faith for giving each of us an opportunity to express our love for Laurie.

My memories of Laurie are from elementary school in New Jersey. Every year the choir from each school in our township came together for a year end concert. Laurie was the soloist and was awesome!

When I was in NYC in the early eighties, I saw a wonderful performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", and was particularly taken with the young woman playing The Narrator. She was charming, vivacious and incredibly talented. Imagine my surprise when later that night I met this very talented person at the Westbank Cafe on West 42nd Street, and had the oppertunity to spend some time with her and other members of the cast of that wonderful and fun production. To those who never met her, she was simply a wonderful, genuine person with a wonderful laugh and tremendous humility. She never seemed to take her talent for granted, and was truly enjoying all that her sucess was bringing her. We seemed to hit it off, and spent the next few days becoming very good friends. I last saw her in Philadelphia at The Walnut Street Theater. She was there being her wonderful self, and it was so nice to see her totally happy. She touched my life, and I miss her. She would always say to me.... "you haven't written, you never call....." followed by that wonderful laugh. She was such a good soul, and when she was with you she had a way of making you feel so special to her. Talented in every way. RIP Laurie

I was in a band with Laurie called "contagious" back in the early to mid 70s. She was certainly headed for great things...we all knew it. She was so cool to work with; had the greatest voice and a personality to match.
I was the drummer in the band and was also an aspiring photographer. I took many pics of her "on the road" while rockin' our way across the country.I even have some of the old Kriegsman "8x10s" of the band.
I even took some "Studio" shots of her at her apt on 9th ave (?). If you look at the "head shot" page on this site, the one on the bottom right came from that session.
I'd love to find a way to post the some more shots of her.
We were great friends and I loved her a lot. (we did duke it out from time to time, but that's only natural while on the road).
I did get to see her on Broadway in Cats back in 91. I think she was just returing to the stage after a bout of C.
She was a true genious and a great inspiration in my life.
I miss her very much
She has always been an inspiration

The passage of time shall not dim the magic of her voice, the power of her message, and the beauty within her face and soul. In loving memory of Laurie, today and always she lives in our hearts.

I had the pleasure to fill in almost 30 years ago as a drummer when you fronted The Sighs. You blew me away in Cats and there's not a day that I don't think about you. I have to walk past the Wintergarden almost everyday for work. I miss you dearly.

Always in my heart Laurie.
From a loving fan.
Terry

Just given a recording of Laurie singing ----BEAUTIFUL! She has completed her mission here on earth and I Believe that beautiful voice is still bringing joy to all those who discover her such as I did. There are no mistakes in Gods' plan for us at least that is what I am trying to accept. My thanks to all who helped Laurie to develop and share her great gift. M> Burns

was In a band with Laurie in the mid70's ,she had what it takes,,,and yelled at me,,basically,to not waist my talent,,but talking to me then,was just a waist of time,,,we were much younger then....thanks for caring Laur may you reast in peace

What a wonderful voice and delivery. Listen to my Heart - Laurie totally makes it hers. I was researching the voice on my "Joseph" cd to find out more about her. What a disappointment to learn she was gone. Her voice has a unique, engaging quality that I am drawn to.

I've discovered Laurie's music just recently as I've searched for new interpretations of my favorite romantic ballads. What talent and what sensitivity to her material! I wish that I'd known of her sooner, and that she'd been able to live longer to produce more of her lovely tunes. Most of all, though, I wish she'd been able to live longer for her own sake and that of her family.

LAURIE WAS A GOOD FREIND OF MINE MANY YEARS AGO WHEN SHE WAS DOING SOME CABARET ON THE EASTSIDE AND I'M SO SORRY TO HEAR OF HER PASSING-IT'S TRULY A SHAME WHEN YOU LOSE TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU BOTH MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFES,THAT YOU CALL A FREIND-LAURIE WAS TRULY A DYNAMIC PERSON WITH ONE OF THE LARGEST HEARTS I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED,I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES WE SHARED AND THE SOUND OF HER VOICE ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE WAS SINGING HOME -- THANK YOU FOR KEEPING HER MUSIC AND THE MEMORIES OF HER ALIVE.

I saw her on the Donahue show singing Memory. The impact then and now of her voice from heaven,and her poise during her illness has inspired me.She lived more in her lifetime,then most people do in several lifetimes.I miss you, even though I did not know you. Peace.

I saw Laurie Beechman play Fantine on Broadway around 1990 I believe. I have never heard such a powerful voice. Today, I was thinking about that and looked her up again. I am trying to find out if there is a recording of her in Les Mis. If anyone knows, please fill me in!

Laurie was my grandma's cousin; and never met her. when i heard about her, i wanted to meat her sooo badly but i found out she died when i was 6. i love acting as much as she did and singing 2! i might not have met her but my lil cousin laurie who is now almost 4 is named after her. and someday i hope she realizes how much of a great person she was named after was! i wish i could have met u laurie! love u cuz!

The first time I heard Laurie was when someone whom I truely loved gave me a tape of her music to listen to. "Listen to my Heart" became and still is one of my favorite songs of all time. The magic of Laurie's voice has helped me through many difficult times in my life. I know she is singing with the angels and watching over all of us

I grew up listening to the original broadway recording of "Annie." My family raved about Laurie's beautiful voice-especially in NYC. That is one of my dad's favorite parts of the show. Thanks Laurie!

Being a singer myself, I have been listening to Laurie's music for the past 15 years. Her voice is with me...I often hear her singing "I'll be here with you" and "Shining Sea". Love those tunes. What a wonderful website dedicated to her. Thank you so much.

I just learned that Laurie Beechman died in the late nineties, and am sad about it. My passion is and has always been theater, though not my work. I saw Laurie Beechman in Annie in 1977 -- I was nineteen then. Who was this woman, singing with such power and soul while still a student at NYC (if I'm remembering correctly). Others were waiting after the show to get autographs from Annie, but I wanted to meet Laurie Beechman, whose voice and presence on stage flored me. THIS is what I hoped theater could be -- every time she sang, it cut through me. I never forgot that moment, and have followed her career for a while. I'm very sorry she has passed away so young, but glad there is a theater named for her.

When I was a child I saw Laurie Beechman in Joseph and Cats. Her performances then, move me still today. I can still recall vividly her voice, her movement, and how she turned great songs into extraordinary experiences. She was amazing.