LAURIE BEECHMAN & DEREK FOX
I met Laurie in the cafeteria of NYU's Weinstein dormitory in 1972. She was an adorable and vivacious acting student, I was studying design for the stage. We dated until Laurie quit school for a gig singing with a band. Still friends when she returned, I saw her sing at
voice. At this time I was beginning my own music career with a gig at Reno Sweeney's. Laurie came to support me, and liked the show enough to ask me to be her musical director. She left Annie and moved into my apartment, where we did nothing but music. We played Tramps and Les Mouches and Good Times and any gig we could find -- including a benefit for NYU hospital with Gilda Radner, and a benefit at Macy's with Andrea McCardle, where Laurie and Andrea had both unknowingly chosen to sing the same song -- "Home" from The Wiz. Laurie graciously let Andrea perform the song, while we franticly chose a last minute substitute. Even unrehearsed, Laurie blew them away.
Martin Charnin -- a generous supporter -- financed photos of Laurie and a demo we were doing, trying to get a recording contract. During this time Laurie was asked to audition for the lead role in the upcoming show "Evita." We rehearsed excessively. For the audition, Laurie wore her hair in a bun (hair piece -- her silky-soft hair was too short). She looked the part. We all know how that story ended, but it was an honor for her just to have been asked to audition (though she may not have appreciated that at the time).
Ultimately, an A&R man from Atlantic Records (Roger Probert) saw us perform at Tramps and signed her to a record deal with the resulting "Laurie and the Sighs" album. (I was a "Sigh.") Laurie and the band went to Todd Rundgren's studio in Bearsville (near Woodstock) to rehearse the album for a month before recording.
We all slept and worked in a barn-like studio loft. All we did was eat, play and rewrite! The resulting album was not a commercial or artistic success: Laurie's talent was barely scratched on this guitar-driven rock and roll production. Her powers were far greater than the limited range the material allowed. Fortunately, she is remembered for much more extraordinary vocals.
Like "Memory" from Cats. I get goose bumps just remembering it. I wasn't thrilled with all of the makeup covering her sweet face, but she was truly the Cat's meow. In her dressing room, after the show, she kvelled while informing me that this was Barbra Streisand's dressing room during Funny Girl. Laurie was now among the great female talents to have conquered the stage of the Winter Garden.
Yellowfinger's, an upper East side cabaret. I was blown away. I had never heard the amazing voice she possessed -- except while sitting up in bed at night singing show tunes -- where, of course, she didn't belt it out.
Laurie finally landed the gig she was destined for -- her now infamous roles in Annie. Laurie was such a big talent that Martin Charnin and Charles Strauss wrote "NYC" just to feature her
Anyone who knew Laurie remembers her charm, her overbite, her sexy figure, her unique voice, and her strength of character in the face of illness. She was determined to live every day to its fullest, and especially to appreciate the ones she felt good enough to enjoy.
Laurie is gone, but I can't -- and don't ever want to -- forget her and all of the beautiful memories
