Best Grizabella in CATS?

[bigbelterbaby]

RANK these three interpreters of 'Memory' from CATS.

Laurie Beechman | Elaine Paige |Betty Buckley

for me it would be

(1)The Legendary and very missed Laurie Beechman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbS_60VbF7g

(2)The Divine Miss Betty Buckley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivIT0TQ4vRM

(3)The Enchanting and smooth Elaine Paige
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm5w7gHEtJI&feature=related

[DottieD'Luscia]

I saw both Betty and Laurie live, but I preferred Laurie. Grizabella is a role I'm really surprised that Andrea McArdle never played. She would have sounded amazing singing Memory.

[broadwaydevil]

I've always loved Elaine Paige but Grizabella is far from my favorite role and I'm not a huge CATS fan.

That being said:

1.) Betty Buckley
2.) Elaine Paige
3.) Laurie Beechman

[bryan2]

Betty Buckley nbr 1....
Andrea McArdle said she didnt think she sang it well herself..(not that Betty didnt sing it well LOL) just wanted to clear this up
I disagree i heard Andrea sing it on Merv Griffin years ago and
thats how I learned to love the song..and Andrea

[DottieD'Luscia]

I didn't realize Andrea McArdle felt that way.

[ChildrenwillListen]

Stephanie J. Block, even though she didn't do it on Broadway. And my old dance teacher played her too so yeah

[grandpianoalex]

Yep. Agreed. Stephanie J. Block blew me away.

[qolbinau]

Did Andrea McArdle really say that about Buckley? This woman is crazy!!!

[Skip2]

Only Laurie Beechman.

No one else.

[DottieD'Luscia]

qolbinau I took it that Andrea was referencing herself and not Betty.

[SondheimFan5]

Elaine Paige.

[ClapYo'Hands]

I've never heard anyone sing Memory as well as Elaine Paige.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Has Judi Dench ever recorded, or publicly performed, "Memory"? I'm very curious what her Grizabella was like.

[ClapYo'Hands]

The song didn't exist when she was in the show.

[BroadwayFan12]

1. Elaine Paige
2. Betty Buckley
3. Laurie Beechman

[South Fl Marc]

Laurie Beechman - she was the only reason I sat through that horrible show. If I didn't want to see her sing that song,I would have bolted after 15 minutes.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Little-known triva -- in Eliot's original draft, the character was Jizzabella the Grammar Cat, which had to be changed to sidestep the problems of such a character's associations with certain modern vernacular.

[Buck]

Didn't see her, and I know she's not one of the choices, but Gay Marshall on the French Cast Recording is amazing! Best show version of the song in my opinion.

[Mister Matt]

Liz Callaway is also one of the most celebrated Grizabellas of the Broadway run.

[bryan2]

read above

[JRybka]

For some reason I saw many version of this show. Broadway, Tours and such... Hands down the best will always be Laurie Beechman. She was such an amazing voice and talent that was taken way too soon.

I also did enjoy Liz Calloway, Kim Criswell and I remember seeing Lillias White.

[DottieD'Luscia]

I was dating someone in the cast at the time Lillias White was in the show. Oh the stories!

[OtherDaryl2]

I'm particularly fond of the Barry Manilow recording. Then the Streisand. Then the 12" Disco mix.

[Justin D]

as for the international recordings, the lady in the Hamburg one is quite touching, strong belt and very emotional, its also a live recording so that helped too (I cant remember her name though, Andrea something I believe)

[musicaltheatreman2]

DottieD'Luscia what stories??? how was lillias white's version of the song? is there a recording?

[morosco]

Watch the video below. Lillias White talks about doing CATS (at the 1 minute mark).

Scream out loud hilarious!
Ask a Star: Lillias White