Thank you Laurie for all the joy you brought to so many people. You are missed by many!
Love Jen

In preparing a program for my 41st class reunion (10/12/01), I needed a song for a part in the program - "A Very Precious Love". I did a search and found Laurie's version from her first CD (I believe), and became a fan. After the reunion, I searched for other songs by Laurie, and found "That's All", a duet with Sam Harris. I visited 2 Best Buy stores and 1 Borders Bookstore to find her CDs, but no one had them. So last night I went back to the internet and did a search. It was then that I discovered the fact of Laurie's untimely death at the age of 44. Even 3 years after her death, she is still touching the hearts and lives of people who did not know of her, nor of her incredible career. I am truly glad to be a part of the Celebration of Laurie Beechman's life. I will never forget her! Thank you for keeping her memory alive for all new fans like me.
Some flames were not destined to burn long in this world, but not many will burn as brightly through all eternity, proving that Laurie lives on and on and on. What a gift! - Rosemary Gardner

Back in 1982 my 8th grade class took a bus to Broadway to see "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". When the curtain opened, chills ran through my soul as I saw this sprite little beauty jump out on the stage and start to sing. From that moment, it was just understood that this woman, Laurie Beechman, had the most amazing, most beautiful singing voice I had ever heard. Now, almost 20 years later, I still feel that no voice compares to hers. The world lost an amazing talent. Laurie, thank you for bringing joy to our lives.

I did not know she died. :-( I was just listening to my original broadway cast of Joseph and remembering when I saw her and Allen Fawcett on Broadway!! It was the most amazing well-done play I had ever seen (I saw quite a few) that Laurie's performance was so outstanding that it still gives me the "chills" as if I were still there watching the play. I remember leaving thinking this lady is phenomenally talented and wish I saw her in more (but I never did.) :-( Broadway lost a star (a rare one at that)!! I wish there was a video of that performance that I saw so many years ago!! :-( No one has ever done Joseph that same magnificent way since Allen and Laurie - NO ONE!!

I had the privilege to know Laurie's lovely mom, Dolly, and sister, Jane, when I was a teenager. Starting out in professional theatre, Laurie was kind and never patronizing as I haunted the backstage of JOSEPH and enjoyed her cabaret shows. An inspiration, a "family friend." To be robbed of her great talent is unfair enough. For her family to be robbed of their loving Laurie is worse. Great performer born into a great family. Although I haven't seen them in years, I do know that Beechman's have carried on their loving spirit that Laurie got to share with so many thousands of audience members. God Bless!

attractive

Rosalyn Rahn (now Kerins, of Chicago) was understudy to Laurie in Joseph on Broadway. I am Rosalyn's ex-husband and was acquainted with Laurie briefly as a remarkable and unusual acting and singing talent, in the sometimes tormenting and always deeply human world of theatre. Sing on, Laurie!

Laurie was a wonderful actress and a dear friend to myself and many, many others.

Do Not Weep;
Do not stand at my grave & weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you wake in the morning hush
I am the gentle uplifting rush.

Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.


This is a dedication to a true friend who reached out and touched the hearts of many.

You will always be a star.

R.I.P x x x

nice site

I met Laurie Beechman only once. We shared a late afternoon lunch together in New York City. Laurie had been childhood friends with a friend of mine, Janice Palma, who I had met when I lived on Maui back in the late ‘80’s. Janice and I were visiting New York City from Hawaii and we met Laurie for a late lunch. Introduced to me simply as ‘my friend Laurie’, during our lunch I learned off-handedly that Laurie was Grizabella in the Broadway production Cats. Obviously loving her life and her work, Laurie seemed at the same time humble about her achievements. Both Janice and Laurie smiled from ear to ear reminiscing of a childhood past and we all spent a giddy afternoon girl-talking. Some time later after returning to Hawaii, I received a small packet in the mail. It was a thoughtful note from Laurie with a tape of her album, Listen to My Heart. If I remember correctly she had just cut that album and it was soon to be released. She sent me the album along with a gracious note saying that she enjoyed meeting me. Her thoughtfulness impressed me. She was so busy yet had taken the time to drop me a note and stay in touch. Shortly thereafter, Janice called me and told me Laurie had suddenly been diagnosed with cancer although I wasn’t told exactly what type of cancer. Shocked by the news that Laurie had been stricken with cancer, we all hoped for the best. Later I learned that Laurie had made it through chemo and sometime after that I learned that Laurie was soon to be married. I was really happy for her. Soon after returning to Hawaii from New York I had gotten married myself, had twin daughters and got so busy with life that, until last night, I had lost track of Laurie. I was searching the internet on sites about ovarian cancer. This past Friday I learned that my sister who just turned 45 on Monday and is one year older than me, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Seeking to learn more, I turned to the internet. Half dazed from the news about my sister, I sat clicking through the search title bars looking for answers. I saw one title bar that said ‘Celebration of Life’ and clicked on it though I didn’t pay attention to whom it was a tribute. An odd feeling came over me when I realized I recognized the smiling woman on my computer screen. I was sorry to see that Laurie had died of complications of ovarian cancer but I was comforted in reading quotes from some of her interviews about ‘living with cancer’ and to see how vibrantly she had lived in spite of her incredible challenge with ovarian cancer. Her words comforted my heart greatly and her website gave me tremendous peace. She had accomplished so much in spite of the ovarian cancer. I learned another thing about Laurie last night, that her middle name was Hope. Our eight-year-old twin daughters’ middle names are Faith and Hope. Ironically enough, my daughters, Natalie Faith and June Hope, are budding little actresses in the Big Island Children’s Theater here in Hawaii. Just last month they did a show including a number from Annie. I shared Laurie’s website with them. They, too, are in awe of this remarkable woman. Thanks so much for sharing Laurie with us via her internet tribute. Many of us, with deep appreciation and great hope, continue to listen to her heart.

I will never forget the first time I heard Laurie Beechman. I was sixteen, legally blind, gay and completely lost. Until someone loaned me their tape of "Joseph". I had never heard anyone like her and what she sang, she sang for me, a dreamer. I knew that Laurie had been fighting Cancer but I always believed that she would be safe. I guess I blinked for too long and missed her goodbye. I am truly grateful to her for her music and very sorry that I didn't follow her more closely. Thank you, Laurie Beechman, for singing me a dream. Love, Clinton

I had the great priviledge of performing onstage with Ms. Beechman in Knoxville, TN when she was a guest artist for the Broadway Gala with Knoxville Opera Company. I was an Opera Apprentice at the time, and not a big "musical" fan. She CHANGED MY MIND. She was absolutely riveting onstage. Hers is a great loss to the musical community.

I first heard the "Annie" recording when I was in high school. That voice in "NYC" just blew me away.Who was it? I had to find out. I later went to Broadway to see Laurie in "JOSEPH" and also in "Pirates", what a voice and a presence on stage. I have never seen or heard anything like it. Listening to her when I was younger was one of the reasons I have ended up in Musical Theatre myself. I wish I would of had the opportunity to work with her. I am certain her talents are shining as bright as ever. A quote that stays with me is "we all dream alot some are lucky some are not, but if you think it want it dream it then its real you are what you feel". Your memory lives on, and more you still inspire.

I've been a big fan since I first heard Laurie on the Joseph soundtrack. I'm VERY sorry to hear of her passing.

The mystery of God's Will cranks its volume to 11.

When Napster was running, I had download fever. Somehow, "If We Only Have Love" was one of the songs I downloaded. Today after weeks of searching I found out who did it. I've got "Annie" and "Joseph...", so I've been listening to her all the time!Today I also find out that her voice is silenced.
In 1969 I lost a friend to ovarian cancer. The cancer did not kill her, but the radiation treatments did.
Thank you for letting me share.

Throughout the past couple of years I have written several papers on ovarian cancer- many of which talk about Laurie. I am hoping to compile a few of them into one, concentrating more on Laurie's life, not her death. This fall, Roswell park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York is going to be holding a major conference on ovarian cancer awareness, in which I was honored to be asked to be a speaker. I hope that anyone out there that has a story to share about Laurie will e-mail me, as I would love to hear more about her life as an actress, sister, friend, wife...not her death and dying. Thanks. Also...thank you to Claudia for your e-mails, I hope we stay in contact. Claudia (Laurie's sister)is an awesome singer as well- everyone be sure to check out her website and CD!!! Talent MUST have run in that family! And...to Laurie- Thank you for giving us so many years. You were awesome. Your life inspires me daily!

I only learned of Laurie from
reading about Nancy Lamott, a
cabaret performer, who is now
deceased. I never realized
that I knew Laurie--don't
recall ever hearing her sing.
However, I was rummaging through some old soundtracks
the other night and realized
that the lovely voice I had
listened to over the past few
years (on a concept soundtrack
album for "Lunch" had Laurie on it. She sings a wonderful
song entitled "I Never Danced
With You." Has anyone heard
this. I'm anxious to hear
more of her voice. How? Where?

What a shock to discover that such a beautiful talent is gone. I was searching the internet and hoping to find that she had released more music. Now to know that there will be no more powerful songs from her, I just want to cry!! I first discovered Laurie on the Rosie O'Donnell show when I was home sick one day. Needless to say it was love at first note. I don't remember the date but I do remember Rosie mentioning that Laurie had been ill and that was the inspiration for the CD. I bought her CD that week, No One Is Alone and it became and instant favorite. Listening to the entire CD only solidified my adoration and appreciation for her. Every song on the CD has touched me in various ways at different times. It is a powerful performance and now a lasting legacy of a an awesome talent. She had the voice of a an angle and was most definitely a true Diva.

I have not had the pleasure of listening to Miss Laurie but I do know that God gives people like her a voice to share with the world.
I have started a Christan web page and I would like all to visit and sign the guestbook.
I want to eventually do a page on Les Mis'.
I am a bilateral amputee and spend a lot of time on the computer and the best musical I have heard in my 54 years is that.
May God continue to Bless this site on keeping the memory of Miss Laurie alive

Tonight I sang "listen to my Heart" at a cancer benefit, and I just wanted to say "thank You Laurie"! I know that you were there with me, I could feel your presence on stage with me tonight, and I sang it for you Laurie. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I miss you Laurie, we all miss you. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me, but most of all, thank you for being my friend. Luv ya always.
Matthew-Jason

When I was younger about 12 years ago or so, I saw a Donahue show about Broadway. To this day I remember Laurie singing Memory as Grizabella.
Recently I was surfing ebay and I saw a couple of her CD's listed. I instantly recognized her name and remembered her incredible voice. I bought the 2 CD's and have been incredibly moved. I intend to find the 2 I don't have.
Thank you Laurie for sharing your talent and gift. You have been a blessing in this world and brought so much to so many. The angels are lucky. God bless.

Laurie: Tony Tanner, who directed you in "Joseph", has just cast me in a benefit performance he is doing this summer. We spoke of you yesterday during my interview and he raved about your talent. Everytime I hear people talking about you and your kindness and your gifts, it alwys puts a smile in my heart - but it also makes me realize how much your are missed, my friend. I know you are watching over all of us - and please know that your love and kindness continue to touch us all - you are the inspiration that gets me through the tough times - and the good times, too! :-) Keep Smiling!

She is missed. I often hear songs and think of how she might have done them.

As I have mentioned before, Laurie's music has helped me through so much over the years. Recently my uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her album was given to him by me (No One is Alone) because it is so inspiring. My life is going through many changes as well, and once again her music is becomming a source of hope and inspiration for me. Even though she may be gone, she continues to be a constant source of comfort to many. I would love to find more of Laurie's rare CD's and albums, but have had no luck as of yet. I hope to someday meet Claudia and her family, and still aspire to write something on her life and legacy. (not on her death, she would not have wanted that). She is in a better place, and I pray for her sole every night. Rest in peace.

I saw Laurie in Joseph, I saw her do cabaret in NYC and I have the album Laurie and the Sighs. I still get chills when I listen to the album.