She was the definitive Narrator. I saw her return to the role in the late '80's at the Walnut in Philadelphia opposite Sal Viviano as Joseph and I could not keep my eyes off her, which is really saying something since the production had the entire male cast of the show changing clothes right on stage from scene to scene...little proto-gay me should have been entirely focused there, but Beechman was fantastic and really had that star quality that made you know that, title of the show aside, SHE was the star.
I believe she was from the Philadelphia area and appeared there from time to time for a home town visit. I also saw in there as Fantine in the LES MISERABLES tour that played the Forrest Theatre, the very first time I saw that show. I'm unclear on whether or not she was otherwise in the tour or if she was just doing the Philadelphia engagement. I'm pretty sure this would have been around the time she was starting to get sick. Again, she was heart-breaking and that's BEFORE anyone in the public really knew that she was sick. |
