As the new year began, I remember thinking,
'I feel great. Life is wonderful. Wouldn't it be great to be in
love?' Then in March 1992 a friend invited me to New York City for
Neil's birthday party. . . we'd been friends for 10 years. I hadn't
seen him for a while and at his party, we fell in love. It was an
enchanted courtship. We got married in October and (took a) honeymoon
in Paris. . .
-Laurie Beechman, People Magazine 1995
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Take your time browsing the 4 guestbook volumes which are filled with wonderful memories of Laurie Beechman and her work. Before you leave, please be sure to take a moment to sign and add your voice to this site.
May 1, 2007 2:27 PM
NANCY VANDERSLICE
from CHERRY HILL, NJ
nvanderslice@burnspontiacgmc.com
I WAS LOOKING THRU SOME OLD PHOTOS AND CAME ACROSS SOME FROM EITHER THE JUNIOR OR SENIOR PROM, WITH A SPECIAL ONE BEING THAT OF LAURIE AND HER DATE, SCOTT SULLIVAN! EVEN THEN SHE WAS UNIQUE WITH HER CHARTRUSE GREEN AND PURPLE GOWN. IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE THESE MEMORIES OF A FRIEND OR LOVE ONE. I LOST A STEPDAUGHTER TO CANCER, (SHE WAS ONLY 32), AND HAVE MANY SPECIAL PHOTOS TO REMIND US OF THE GOOD TIMES. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY LOST TREASURE OF LAURIE, WHICH ALSO LEAD ME TO REMENBER ANOTHER OF MY VIVID MEMORIES. LAURIE SINGING "CINNAMON GIRL".
April 21, 2007 3:53 PM
Debra
from New York City
It's been almost 10 years since she's been gone, but her voice still haunts me. I was lucky enough to see her on stage, and for many of the songs she sang hers is the definitive version. With no show written for her, it showed a special talent to follow legendary performers roles and make them her own. She is missed....
April 9, 2007 4:09 PM
Bonnie Greenetz
from
paintedrock@gmail.com
I recently spoke with Fern Alcoff (a classmate of Laurie's) and was reminded of my years of friendship with Laurie.
Her talent was extraordinary.
Thank you for this loving site.
Regards to her sisters and mother.
April 8, 2007 2:33 PM
Kevin Ribble
from Ringwood, NJ
kjamesr@optonline.net
I listen to "Jonathan Schwartz - The Sunday Show" on WNYC Public Radio most Sundays. Today he happened to play 'A House Is Not A Home' from Laurie's *Time Between the Time* recording. Her voice instantly pulled me into each and every word, her voice so full of love and heart, by the end of the song, tears were streaming down my face as she transfered her feelings to me. Overwhelmed is the word that comes to mind, I felt an overwhelming fullness of Life and Love. And I am a changed man. God Bless your Soul, Laurie Beechman! - Kevin -
April 7, 2007 10:17 AM
Arthur Sloan
from East Stroudsburg, PA , USA
asloanjr@verizon.net
In the early to mid 1980's I tended bar at Gallagher's Steak House, located in the theater district on 52nd St near Broadway in NYC. Laurie, who was, during a period of that time, appearing in "Cats" as Grizabella, would often visit us at the bar for a glass of wine after an evening performance. I was fortunate enough to get to know Laurie during these visits. She was a delight to talk to and we were always happy to see her. One evening she was accompanied by her mother and father, and conversing with her father I learned that Laurie had been trained to be an opera singer and that she had a choice of pursuing such a career but she chose Broadway. We can all be thankful for that. I attended the memorial service for Laurie at the Winter Garden Theater in 1998. I don't think there was a dry eye in the theater from the beginning, when we heard her beautiful voice over the theater's sound system, to the end when those on stage sang along with Jimmy Durante's recording of "I'll Be Seeing You". She liked Jimmy Durante. I liked Laurie. I cherish her memory and those days in the early 1980's.
April 5, 2007 10:05 PM
Kathy
from Campbell, CA
cntstdya@aol.com
I've been a devoted fan of Laurie's since I read the People Magazine article in 1995 and was inspired to buy the Andrew Lloyd Webber Album. Then I bought the rest of them, and have loved listening to them all. I check this website now and then for news about the documentary that was made a couple of years ago. Does anyone know if it's available to buy or will be shown on public TV?
April 5, 2007 9:14 PM
Chad
from Baltimore, MD
ck2795@sbcglobal.net
I was fortunate enough to see Laurie in her return to "Cats". I had owned all of her CDs for several years and was shocked when I bought tickets to "Cats" on a whim and there she was...incredibly mesmerizing and truly an artist. She commanded the stage like no other. Her CDs cannot fill the void of her loss, but thank God we have them!
April 4, 2007 12:38 PM
Judy Goldenberg
from Los Angeles,California
Remembering the beauty of your heart and soul,which you continue to share through the legacy of your amazing voice.Thinking about you and yours on your special day. I'm always your faithful fan and devoted admirer. Love to you,Sue,Jack and always ,Claudia.
March 28, 2007 10:22 AM
Susan
from Bear, Delaware
scaryfive@aol.com
Laurie was adorable as a teenager. In a production of Bye Bye Birdie a little girl with a huge voice stood out far beyond the remainder of the cast. She was a beacon in a fog. It was only a high school play. I'm so proud you moved us all, Laurie. You were Claud's little sister. You made me laugh, cry and created exhilaration for countless listeners in your career. And now you twinkle in the heavens, always meant to be a star. Thank you for all the hugs, you are loved back a hundred score.
March 19, 2007 10:32 PM
Claudia Beechman Cohen
from Glenside, PA
chant2z@verizon.net
Jane and I were blessed. We miss you so. love your Claud
March 19, 2007 6:23 AM
robert chiddenton
from phila,pa usa
robc191366@verizon.net
I was a friend of Laurie's in high school. We both attended Haddon Twp High in westmont, N.J. I have many very fond memories of Laurie. We did a musical together in 1969 in high school. It was very obvious even back then that she was an extremely talented indivisual and I knew she would use her talent to become an accomplished actor and singer. She certainly has brought many happy hours of enjoyment into my life and I love listening to her cd's over and over again. I will NEVER forget her, she certainly touched my life in a way no one else could possibly do. Thank you Laurie for all the memories. Love You ROB CHIDDENTON
March 10, 2007 2:25 PM
Robert Seaman
from Jasper, GA
seamanr@tds.net
I have a question that has been bothering me for a long time. I originally heard "I Dreamed a Dream" on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Johnny sat there mesmorized byt the young woman who sang. She had just recently taken over the role of Fantine on braodway. I have never found that voice again, until now? Could it be that it was Laurie.
Sincerely,
Bob Seaman
March 9, 2007 3:21 PM
NANCY VANDERSLICE
from CHERRY HILL, NJ
nvanderslice@burnspontiacgmc.com
I listen to Laurie's music all the time for inspiration and memories. I know this must be a tough time for Jane, Claudia, Dolly and Neil, and I would like to let them know they are in my thoughts.
March 9, 2007 12:48 AM
Susan Celona
from
pinosh@aol.com
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tB4JrDNj3Tw
Thank you RAMSHEAD for all of the beautiful clips of Laurie on YOUTUBE. I encourage everyone to post your clips of Laurie for the world to see! Use the link above to view some of LAURIE. Thank you Jessie for sending it to me and DAD. Love ou Always!
March 8, 2007 9:42 PM
Eva
from NJ
God bless you Laurie.
March 8, 2007 10:16 AM
Jessica
from Yonkers, NY
lilsweete18@aol.com
i miss you laurie <3 so much.
March 8, 2007 9:58 AM
Susan and Jack Celona
from Now Blakeslee, Pa formerly NY
pinosh@aol.com
Here we are again wow nine years later and the sadness is still there, stonger than ever. I will always remeber the last words I spoke to you, they were: I love you Laurie... Our days here on earth are too short but your zest for life will live on in us....I love you Laurie!
March 8, 2007 9:43 AM
Catherine Brown
from Alexandria, Va.
catlaw@peoplepc.com
I just wanted to send my admiration. I knew Laurie during High School at Haddon Township, N.J. She was in my brother Paul's home room and I think they were pals. I am very proud to have known her.
Sincerely,
Catherine Brown HTHS-1970
February 26, 2007 9:40 PM
Maestro Stephen J Miller
from Flat Rock Michigan
maestromiller@sbcglobal.net
http://cdbaby.com/cd/millerachigomez
Laurie was my only Love for many years as an opera tenor and understanding the talent that she had as well as how she gave God the credit too..
Her voice still moves me to tears and energy that is still very with us all who loved her.
God Bless All Of Laurie's family, it must have been really tough loosing her, I know I cried on and off for weeks when it hit the news, I never even knew she was sick, she was tough and never showed fear or illness to her audience, she sang with the same power with cancer as she did without it, not even stage 3 ovarian cancer could quite her angelic voice and nor does death, she will always be in Heaven singing away and enjoying her eternal voice of freedom and without any more disease.
Take care,
Stephen John Miller
February 25, 2007 2:53 PM
Bob Carlson
from
I first saw Laurie in "Annie" on Broadway. I said to my friend, "who is that person?" She so stood out. We looked for her name in the Playbill. We knew we'd never forget her. We followed her career, seeing her in nightclubs, "Cats" and "Joseph" (even though we lived in California). I bought her hard-to-find solo albums (before on-line purchasing was possible). When I learned of her illness, I was upset but inspired by her fight. Her spread in People was inspirational. Her positive attitude undoubetdly kept her alive longer than we could've hoped; allowing her to touch countless others. I still listen to Laurie's music and always think of that day back in 1977 when I saw her in "Annie."
February 21, 2007 9:48 AM
NANCY VANDERSLICE
from CHERRY HILL, NJ
nvanderslice@burnspontiacgmc.com
THERE IS NOT A SINGLE TIME THAT I DO NOT SHED TEARS WILL LISTENING TO " YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE". I CONSTANTLY QUESTION WHY SUCH A VOICE WAS SILENCED SO SOON.
January 25, 2007 11:00 PM
Ethan Fein
from New York, NY United States
ethanfein@gmail.com
I used to do Chanukah with Laurie at "Cats," but my friend, Mark Perchanok, the oboe player in the orchestra, was the only one I knew who knew the prayers, and he came up with us and said them. The first time Laurie noticed me was one night when a conductor was taking the show at an amazingly slow tempo. At the end of intermission, Laurie leaned over my chair (because that was the only access to the conductor's podium) and looked at the conductor and said, "Will we be having Harold Pinter FOR THE SECOND ACT, AS WELL?" I fell off my chair, and she looked at me in surprise, not thinking she would get such a big laugh.
January 25, 2007 9:50 AM
Elaine
from UK
elainequinn1@hotmail.com
http://www.alanya-site.com
A great tribute for a great artist.
January 25, 2007 8:53 AM
Deirdre McHugh
from Rosemont, PA USA
deirdremch@aol.com
Thanks Laurie, for all your help with Caroline.
January 14, 2007 2:45 AM
Lora
from Oklahoma
Lora.HGP@cox.net
The very first broadway musical I ever saw was "Cats" in December of 1985. I was 14 years old! I will never forget that experience because of the character "Grizabella". I was so captivated by the performance and moved to tears when she sang "Memory"! I have never been that captivated nor moved by a performance since!!! It breaks my heart to know that Laurie is no longer with us and I will never get to see a performance like that again in my life time but THANK YOU LAURIE for that one moment in time and the beautiful MEMORY!!!!
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