| Message: |
After reading the messages of Judi and Joyce,
I decided I would finally add some thoughts here. I have been reading the words of others
and haven't been able to put into words my feelings. Words are just not adequate to
describe what Steve meant to me. I echo the admiration of everyone else for his talents
and work. I, too, remember "growing up" with Steve, as Judi does. I remember his
mom's "dedication" to Jeopardy. There were countless times we would be in his
small living room rehearsing a duet-acting scene, a scene for class or a play, or planning
music videos before they were even conceived. I have two of those videos and will continue
to cherish the hours we spent together creating them each time I see them. I will always
feel so very fortunate to have been another one of his "leading ladies" and
co-actors in several of the plays mentioned by Joyce. What an honor to have not only been
his friend, but to have shared the stage with him.
I, too, was privileged to see him perform at the Majestic in NYC. The photos of the two of
us together again, as old friends, in his dressing room now hang in my theatre arts
classroom along side his Phantom photos. I use this to share his greatness with my
students.
I have gone through my old scrapbooks and reminisced about those days in the 60's and
70's. The speech/drama tournaments, the one-act play contests, working on the school
paper, the double-date to the prom, and the countless movies Steve and I would go to and
sit through several showings so Steve could memorize the lines! I sat through four
showings of "Funny Girl" with him. He loved the song, "I'm the Greatest
Star" in that movie. He loved Streisand then, although his opinion changed after
meeting her, he told me later.
I was so lucky. . . Well, WE were all so lucky to have been a small part of the wonderful
genius of Steven Neal Barton. Memories. . . .misty, water-colored memories. . . But it's
the laughter. . .I will remember, whenever I remember. . . the way you were. . . And in my
heart you will always be "The Greatest Star". I love you, Steve.
My heartfelt condolences to Tommy, Betty, Denny, Edward, and fans everywhere.
Marion LeBlanc |