Added: 5 years ago
From: zigfried64
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  • My God, this is amazing.

  • ...."Touch me.. it's so easy to leave me, all alone with the memory of my days in the sun...If you touch me, you'll understand what Happiness is..." With Laurie's interpretation of these words, her voice is reminiscent of decades of the greatest singing and/or acting voices of the theatrical stage. (For angelcat, Simi)

  • Laurie was wonderful in "Cats" on Broadway that I was lucky enough to see her in many years ago. She is truly missed and is musical theatre's tragic loss. She and the brilliant Elaine Paige were the greatest "Grizabellas" of them all and just wish I had been able to see Elaine in it as well. Thank so much for posting this. So beautiful...sheer poetry.

  • I never tire of this.

    Laurie really was a treasure.

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  • @ValtronW I have only seen US tours but she collapsed from what I recall..it could depend on the performer I guess.

  • Laurie will always be the real grizabella to me. <3 My all time favorite. perfect.

  • I can't get over how amazing her facial expressions are.

    She's just trying to smile and be happy again, but her pain has not fully left her. Just watch how she smiles, but still has that sad look in her eye. What a unique, yet effective, interpretation.

  • amazing, "if you touch me... you'll understand what happiness was' Best Memory version....

  • Amazing. Sadly. I never saw her live but my dad got to see her when she toured with Le miz and he and my step mom loved her performance.

  • MY name is David Pellegrene, Laurie is amazing.

    Betty Buckley

    Laurie Beechman

    EP

    Mara Gets,

  • Wow. 2nd only to Betty. Not even sure if I would but her second. A little different but man can this woman sing and act. R.I.P. Laurie Beechman.

  • She is certainly the most cat-like out of them all. I like that a lot.

  • In Boston when the show CATS was over, she crossed Tremont Street to a new and trendy Cabaret Club, built in the basement of the hotel across the street. This was a room constructed to hear her rare gifts and god given talent. Members of the Boston Pops would follow her. I was her sound engineer during her Boston runs in the 1980s. She was extremely professional and considerate and I can still hear the sound of her wonderful voice and phrasing.

  • This is best version of Laurie singing this song on yt. It makes a huge difference when your in character, the emotion and passion is much more elevated. Thank you Laurie.

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  • Wow that was beautiful thank you for sharing it with us. Couple of questions, is this a part 2 video? It looks as if they had sung a song before this. Also what year was this? Again thank you for sharing.

  • To me Laurie Beechman's version here is every bit as fantastic ("actingwise") as Elaine Paige's and she has the vocal power of Betty Buckley. This was/is incredible.

  • @mauladala Eh! Elaine Paige, so boring in this part.... Betty Buckley, awesome and brings a classy revere to the part.. but some reason Laurie's halting twitching movements, more remind me of some cats! I love both of their versions equally. Elaine Paige, though clearly no slouch, just does not compare to either of these women. Fine with a microphone but not the powerful vocals and expression these women have.

  • Nobody did it better than her. She gives me chills! Died to young.

  • isn't jemina supposed to sing a little? where is she? Did the actor forget to sing or was that on purpose?

  • They shortened the whole song and probably wrote that part out.

  • oh, okay. thanks for telling me. =]

  • They are on Donahue.. they cannot always replicate the live show

  • She puts so much into this song. She truly is an amazing actress.

  • @spudandchuckles what age did she die

  • @MultiDom99 44

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  • I saw Laurie on Broadway in "Cats" many years ago and had never been more impressed with any other performer at the time. "Memory" is one of my favorite songs and I now also love Elaine Page and Susan Boyle' s incredibly beautiful performances of it as well.

  • Laurie auditioned for this at the same time they were (or already had) considered Betty Buckley in 1982 (after she had just opened in Joseph...). Trevor Nunn thought her demeanor/look too "young" for the role. A year later, when the tour was opening, they chose Laurie and 5 months later she replaced Betty in the Bway cast and stayed for 4 years, returning again in 91, 92, and 97 for short runs. I think of Laurie everyday. I weeped like a baby when I heard she passed. Laurie-now and forever...

  • If I recall, Laurie played the role of Grizzabella on Broadway more times than any other performer.

  • Yes, I believe she did. I think Liz Callaway performed it from 93 to 97 consecutively and almost beat Laurie, but Laurie returned 3 times after her initial long run, thereby making her total performances more than any others. She was admired by many and rightly so!

  • @rlee1976 I second that, and call for more aggressive research to cure ovarian cancer--it took the life of the wonderful Laurie Hope Beechman in 1998.

  • That was awsome, thank you for posting it.

  • Really? which cat were you?

  • She was the best girzabella

    Ella fue definitivamente la mejor Grisselda de CATS

  • What a shame that she died so young. She really was a terrific performer. Thanks for posting this performance.

  • Laurie and Elaine in my opinion were the best Grizabellas in the history of cats :3

  • I saw Laurie when I was attending NYU. She was starring in ANNIE. You couldn't get tickets for like a year.  A big snow storm came and no one could get into New York, and because no one could get into the City, I was able to get a seat. Laurie stood out, her vocals were amazing, her spirit exuded off the stage into the audience. Sad she is gone. She was so sweet, after the performance, she threw snowballs with me into the street. I'll never forget that.

  • Really? Amazing story! She did here the best Cats performance ever!

  • who did she play?

  • whats even funnier is when the white cat jumps up when she does hit it. she musta thought "holy sh*t"

  • I don't like Andrew Lloyd Weber AT ALL, but this performances makes me forget who this song was written by. Laurie Beechman was such a gorgeous singer.

  • I'm not all "ZOMG! I'LL ONLY EVER WATCH ALW'S MUSICALS!" but i do enjoy cats and phantom of the opera

  • OK, I've changed my mind... Laurie is first as to who's the best, then Betty Buckly, then Elaine Paige....forget about the rest of them.

  • Elaine Paige was the original and best Grizabella and i don't think anyone will ever better her, but i think Laurie Beechman is as good as her! I was blown away by this performance. Susan Boyles' recent attemp on BGT is pathetic compared to this.

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  • Such a beautiful lady with an beautiful voice! She made such a lovely girl cat.

  • The most beautiful performance I have ever seen in my life.

  • Now that had feeling! It was so fun that she and "the other cats" would perform on the stage they had on the show itself.

  • I would do anything to get the chance to hug her after that performance... I wish I were one of those cats so that I could break character and just hug her...

  • This song and voice changed my life. I know that sounds melodramatic, but it's true. I was 11 when I saw Cats, and "Grizabella" for the first time. I cried it was so touching. The experience gave me an appreciation for the arts that I have never lost.

  • Whoa! I've never heard of her before, but she's fantastic!

  • it makes me so sad that she died because it makes this song true for her

  • I was fortunate enough to see Laurie Beechman in Cats at the Winter Garden theater. She had an amazing voice. To hear her live was incredible. What a beautiful person. I lost a loved one way too young to cancer also. I think of both of them when I hear this song.

  • Best grizabella ever

  • she has a very pretty voice =]

  • I saw this on TV in 1987 on the Donahue show. It haunted me by the sheer beauty of her singing, and her will to live.I'm glad I found this amazing video of her.Thanks for posting it! Angels sing on forever.You touched me forever.

  • i couldn't agree more...my first broadway show in new york was laurie beechman in cats in 1987, i saw this on t.v. as well in 1987. i also would like to thank the person for posting this. thanks for letting the memory live again.

    tom

    milwaukee, wi

  • What a tragedy that such a beautiful singer was taken so young. She had such a gift!

  • she is an incredible singer, but the costume isnt too great

  • makeup ok but do agree

  • That IS the costume from the original production. It is what it is. You're just not seeing under the lighting from the show. Maybe you could drop John Napier a line and let him know you don't like his work, LOL.

  • with a voice like that who cares about costumes?

  • few people can follow in the footsteps of betty buckley - ms. beechman could. two fabulous women, one beautiful role. bravo, betty, and laurie.

  • I've NEVER heard this version. Haunting and beautiful. I should say I am not a fan of Cats, but Laurie sings this unlike anyone else. She brought tears to my eyes. I only own one album (besides Annie and Joseph) and that was her last. I must go shopping...

    Thank you for sharing this moving piece. Ten years gone, but her voice and performances continue to inspire.

  • I like the white cat's reaction at 2:06.

  • best grizadmesldza ever.

  • Woah, I like the goth makeup.

  • Incredible.

  • im gonna cry......i love her

  • Wow, i think this is the best Grizabella ever! and i have seen cats many times mainly at the new London theatre and ive seen the broadway production with Linda Balgord.what a great vocal and and incredibly moving ponient emotional performance,imagine Laurie as grizablla in an audiorium with full orchestra! Im not surprised Laurie didnt want to leave cats because she has totally absorbed the role. im sad i never got to see it for myself live. R.I.P Laurie.

  • Gone but not forgotten: Laurie Hope Beechman--1953-1998.

  • Laurie was brilliant in the show. I am pleased to say I saw her in it. One of my favorite all time female broadway singers.

  • she doesnt seem to get into the emotions of the song as much as elaine paige, but she sure sang the heck out of that song. very lovely. =)

  • Out of all the grizabella's, Laurie was my all-time favorite. She was amazing as the narrator in Joseph as well. I was 12 when I first saw her. She's singing with the Angels now.

  • Stunning rendition, My favourite of all time has to be Chrissie Hammond, she was part of the 07 uk tour and was absolutely spectacular, some of the bigwigs apparently thought she was the best ever

  • my fav grizza's are Laurie, Betty Buckley & Elaine Page

  • wow

  • ..."BRAVO", Laurie, "BRAVO" !!! ...

    This rendition of you performing this timeless classic "MEMORY" on the Phil Donahue Show is absolutely "S T U N N I N G" !!! Have never seen any other performer be able to show the 'BODY LANGUAGE' + 'FACIAL EXPRESSIONS' that you were able to bring to the screen!!! And, WHAT A VOICE!!! You were definitely one of the special "CHOSEN ONES"!  God Bless Your Soul + R.I.P. You are a TREASURE + greatly MISSED!!!

  • Saw her perform in Cats on Broadway ..... it was wonderful!

  • Love Laurie Beechman! What a voice!  Miss her.

  • I am really into singing and broadway and this is one of the best singers i have ever listened to i really think she has amazing talent. She has strong voice.

  • Damn. All I can say is "Damn, she's good." I would do anything to be able to see her do this in the show, but unfortunately, she's moved on to the next work leaving us behind with only memories.

  • a truly talented performer who life was taken tragically short.

  • Laurie was and is a true Broadway legend with a voice like no other and the ability to raise your spirits while breaking your heart. Because she became so famous for her limitless belting range, she had a tendency to push all limits, belting, perhaps, farther than it sounds pleasant to. However, this clip beautifully demonstrates her beautiful mix, and a more vulnerable side than she often showed

  • I wholeheartedly agree. She had a great voice and was a wonderful interpreter of songs. I always find her singing very emotional and exciting to listen to. I met her once in 1997 and asked her to sign my cds of her. She was gracious and kind. I miss her!

  • Oh gosh, that performance gets me. Sheesh, I'm practically bawling. Some singers just _get_ this song and can really bring out the emotion in it so it has a profound affect on the listeners.  Thanks for posting this. >^.^<

  • What a wonderful performer

  • One of the greatest voices to ever live. That voice, that talent, that will to survive. Taken too soon!

  • Wow!

  • I still say these people shout the end too much...

  • I can see why you would say that, but this is the way the song was meant to be performed. It is even written in the sheet music to swell and climax at that point of the song.

  • Double WOW!

  • Laurie is fantastic but I'm not sure how she would compare with Betty Buckley. Buckley to me has the greatest "Touch Me" in Memory. But Beechman defiently owns that song.

  • She has totally absorbed the role, a great grizabella

  • I see that I am not the only person to understand that Laurie Beecham was one of the "Greatest" female vocalist to ever live, I stll weep watching her Videos and listening to her music, keep her Memory alive by sharing my post about how she passed away in '1998 with Ovarian caner, Thanks Miller~

  • I see that I am not the person to understand the Laurie Beecham was one of the "Greatest" female vocalist to ever live, I stll weep watching her Videos and listening to her music, keep her Memory alive by sharing my post about how she passed away in '1998 with Ovarian caner, Thank Miller~

  • goosebumps!!!

  • In 1988 Laurie was in Fl doing a new show, and she wasn't feeling 100% throughout the run. When she returned to Philly to do a run in Les Miz, she had a complete physical and they discovered she had ovarian cancer. IN the 9 years since her diagnosis, she recorded 4 albums, she did Les Miz both on broadway and in Philly, sang for Bill Clinton. She got married, continued to do her sold out concerts..all the while battling stage 3 ovarian cancer. She passed away on March 8, 1998.

  • Wow that's a lot of things she did while fighting ovarian cancer! She was a real fighter and she didn't "give in"

  • My Only Love..

    Maestro Miller, Stephen J Miller

  • Beautiful.

  • the high belt is great, but the way she handles/supports those low notes is amazing! So many singers tend to fall flat when they get down there.

  • I knew Laurie as a child and all through high school. I watch this video and I just cry. She was wonderful, talented, and funny. What a tragic loss.

  • I love her, she was the BEST

  • Originally shown on the Donhahue show, 1987. I miss seeing Laurie in this role. Wonderful! :-)

  • Wow, you posted the whole clip, did you get it from Canada? I have this whole thing, just not online. Saved me the trouble of posting...Thanks!

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