Born Laurie Schnall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 4, 1954, she was possessed of an incredible singing voice, powerful, yet subtle and nuanced. She took her mother's maiden name as her professional name (as many performers have done).

She appeared on Broadway in Cats as the longest-running singer in the role of the character Grizabella. She also played Fantine in Les Miserables (1990), and also played the role on tour.

She originated the role of "The Narrator" in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1982 for which she earned a Tony Award nomination Best Actress (Featured Role -Musical).

She died following a long battle with ovarian cancer on March 8, 1998, aged 43, in White Plains, New York.

She was survived by her mother, stepfather, siblings, and husband, Neil Mazzella.

• 1954 births
• 1998 deaths
• Cancer deaths
• Deaths from ovarian cancer
• Entertainers who died in their 40s
• Jewish-American singers
• People who use their mother's surname