It has now been 25 years since Miss Beechman passed away after a brave battle with ovarian cancer. She was about 45 years old, and is still greatly missed.

I remember taking the subway from Brooklyn to the Alvin Theatre in Manhattan with my sister to see my first Broadway show, Annie. I was mesmerized by Andrea McArdle and the rest of the great cast and of course the magnificent songs. During “NYC”, when “A Star to Be” (Laurie Beechman) sang her part, I vividly remember being blown away by the incredible power and quality of her voice. It amazes me how impactful her voice was for that relatively small part! It really stood out in a big way for me What a tremendous talent! I continue to listen to the original cast recording on a regular basis. It never gets old. I completely understand what Andrea meant when she said “Barbara who?”.

Really nice tribute.. I wouldn't have known who Laurie Beechman was, had I not gone to some shows at her Theater... I had to look her up, and I vaguely remembered her voice for the Joseph cast album I had as a child. A lot of talent came from Philadelphia...

I knew Laurie in high school. She was amazing even then.

I didn't know I had the great fortune to see and hear Laurie perform her number in Annie until much later when I knew her name and read the credits when I looked back at the playbill I have kept all these years. How is it that sometimes we don't fully appreciate our experiences in the moment.

Beautiful tribute from Andrea McArdle.

If you're reading this? Ms.McArdle..I'm sorry for the loss of your friend and fellow performer.

What a beautiful tribute. My heart.. kind of hurts from this loss and her tender memory

When I was in college at NYU, you couldn’t get seats to Annie for a year. A snowstorm came and the city was shut down and that’s how I got to see Annie. Andrea was everything and everything was Laurie Beechman who let me join in-in snowball fights after the show with the cast. Laurie exuded such warmth abs heart and she was this huge bright life. I was crushed when I heard of her passing. This tribute by Andrea raised goosebumps from head to toe. One beautiful soul celebrating another. Andrea will be the only Annie to me. It was her role. Forever. To hear her live is something you can’t describe. She filled up that entire theater with such power. So much respect for her and so much love for Laurie and her gift. I always get goosebumps when ever I visit the Laurie Beechman Theater.

Laurie and Andrea are #1 and #1a as far as the greatest broadway singers ever.

Thank you, Andrea.

What a beautiful tribute. I sawLaurie Beechman in that original production of Annie, and she really was A Star to Be. There was something extra special about her. She had that magical theater charisma that is innate and irreplaceable. And that voice! :)

Great tribute from one beautiful singer to another.

I have always loved this song, from my favorite show. Next to Maybe, it's the track I most often play. I didn't get to see Annie with Laurie or Andrea in it (I was too young) but I was fortunate enough to see Laurie as Grizabella in the first national tour of Cats - and I will never, EVER forget that performance. Love to you Andrea - you are my musical hero. R.I.P. Laurie - may your star ever shine for us all to follow.

Fitting tribute, to a fellow Philadelphian and a great friend.

Andrea. You are awesome! Great tribute

Lovely and heartbreaking. Just beautiful.

I have been a fan of Broadway and musicals since I first saw "FUNNY GIRL" with Barbara Streisand at the Winter Garden Theater shortly after it opened. I caught the bug and went home as a member of my high school choir...and began doing shows. Then I moved on to Community Theaters and did more of them...on and off for almost 40 years. Sadly, and I mean VERY sadly, I knew nothing about Laurie Beechman until this year...thanks to KZfaq. And now, I cry every time I see her, because she was SOOOO talented and taken TOOOOO soon, and I missed out on all of her talents except for what is here on KZfaq. I hope she is resting in peace and knows how much she was and is loved and missed.

Laurie was from South Jersey.. she was an amazing talent.

UGH MA FEELS

I knew Laurie in high school in South Jersey. There was no doubt her talent would take her far. There’s a scar on my my nose from her dog Hamlet. Her mom Dolly doctored me and told me what coagulation meant. Silly but important.

Sobbing.

Which roll did Laurie play in the original production of Annie?