The Storefront has announced plans for its newest production, Memories of Laurie: The Storefront sings Beechman. On Sundays, July 9 and 16th at 7pm, The Storefront will salute the late Broadway star Laurie Beechman. The concerts will take place at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located inside the West Bank Café, (407 West 42nd St. at 9th Avenue).
Memories of Laurie is the third in a series of successful tribute concerts presented by The Storefront. Past endeavors have included the critically-acclaimed
We Miss Nancy: The Storefront Sings LaMott and
Tales of Joni: The Storefront Sings Mitchell.
Memories of Laurie is directed by Phil Geoffrey Bond, with Musical Direction by
Ray Fellman.
Included in the cast of
Memories of Laurie is a stellar collection of theatre and cabaret performers, including:
Becca Ayers (Broadway's
Avenue Q),
Nick Cearley,
Donna Lynne Champlin (Broadway's
Sweeney Todd),
Brandon Cutrell, Sarajean Devenport,
Natalie Douglas,
Liz McCartney (Broadway's
Taboo),
Kate Pazakis,
Jennifer Rae Beck (Broadway's
Les Miserables),
Jana Robbins (Broadway's
Tale of the Allergist's Wife), Julie Reyburn,
Ric Ryder (Broadway's
Grease) & Gabrielle Stravelli. These performers will present music memorably recorded by the late singer, including selections from musicals such a
s Aspects of Love, The Wiz, Joseph… and
Peter Pan, as well as a wide array of popular music from acclaimed composers.
Raised in the Philadelphia area, Beechman made her Broadway debut in
Annie on 197. She appeared in the film version of the Broadway musical Hair in 1979 and was on the soundtrack album. In 1980, her band, Laurie and the Sighs, released a self-titled album on Atlantic Records and toured. She returned to Broadway in
The Pirates of Penzance in 1981, then got her first substantial role in a Broadway musical playing the part of the Narrator in
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which earned her a Tony nomination in 1982. In 1983, she was cast in the role of Grizabella in the first national touring production of
Cats, then moved to Broadway in the part, remaining with the show more than for five years.
She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1989, but managed to continue her career during periods of remission from the disease. In 1990, she took over the role of Fantine in the Broadway production of
Les Miserables, playing the part for six months. That November, she released her debut album, "Listen to My Heart," on DRG Records. In October 1992, she married Neil Mazzella, a theatrical set builder. She performed in cabaret and in concert, with occasional returns to Broadway and regional theater. She released her second album, "Time Between the Time," in 1993, and her third, "The
Andrew Lloyd Webber Album," on Varèse Sarabande, in 1995. Her fourth and final album, "No One Is Alone," a collection of inspirational songs from Broadway musicals, was released in 1996. She died of complications from ovarian cancer in 1998.
There is a $16 cover charge, as well as a $15 food and/or drink minimum. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909.
