by April Scheinoha
Editor
It’s a full circle moment for Debbie Turner and her granddaughter Fifer Steer. Fifer is playing Marta in the Thief River Falls Area Community Theater’s production of “The Sound of Music.” Debbie originated the role in the film of the same name.
“It just warmed my heart,” said Debbie. “I was so thrilled for her.”
TRFACT opened Wednesday, June 10 on the Northland Community and Technical College stage in Thief River Falls. Remaining performances are set for Monday, June 15 through Wednesday, June 17. Each performance starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at trfact.org, at the DigiKey East Entrance Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at the door prior to each performance.
Since at least mid-April, Fifer, her fellow thespians and the production team have been preparing for the show. “The Sound of Music” is the 7-year-old’s first acting role. However, she takes lessons in ballet, tap and jazz. Fifer also plays piano.
A family member suggested that Fifer’s exuberant personality would be a perfect fit for the show. It took some convincing, but the Euclid resident was soon auditioning for the musical with the blessing of her parents, Brooke and Jason.
Fifer has never been one to shy away from a challenge. When she was much younger, she went to a park for the first time and saw a slide that she wanted to try. Brooke recalled Fifer telling her, “Mom, I want to go head first.”
Fifer has approached everything head first ever since that time. “She always remembers God doesn’t give us the spirit of fear,” Brooke said.
Fifer auditioned for the role without anyone knowing her maternal grandma originated the role on screen. Shortly after auditioning for the part, Fifer asked her mom when practice started. When she learned she hadn’t been cast yet, she asked why they didn’t give her the role. Brooke had to explain that it took time to cast each part. She later received a phone call that Fifer had won the role of Marta.
Upon hearing the news, Fifer was excited. “I was jumping up and down,” she said.
Months later, Fifer’s excitement hasn’t dimmed. Her favorite parts of the musical are the marching scenes and when Maria returns to the family.
The curtain rose this week. Soon, the audience will include one special person – Debbie. While Fifer realizes her grandma was in the movie, she hasn’t quite grasped the magnitude of the situation. Watching her granddaughter’s performance may bring back some memories for Debbie.
Unlike Fifer, Debbie had experience acting prior to taking on the role of Marta. She began appearing in commercials at the age of 6 months. Her older sisters, Patty and Michele, already had an agent when she was born. The three of them and their younger brother, Kel, grew up in Arcadia, CA.
By the time “The Sound of Music” was cast, Debbie had appeared in commercials promoting Mattel toys and other products. Her sisters also acted. Patty appeared in four episodes of “Leave It to Beaver” as Linda Dennison, who was Beaver’s classmate and friend.
In late 1963, the girls’ agent learned about plans for “The Sound of Music.” Debbie and Michele were among 250 kids who interviewed for “The Sound of Music.” Kids ages 4 to 25 auditioned in Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. And, yes, Debbie said they referred to “kids” as someone up to the age of 25 years old. They sang and provided their photos. Then they waited.
Several months later, Debbie received a callback for a screen test featuring the bedroom scene and a potential actor up for the role of Liesl. It was Shelley Fabraes, who had previously appeared on “The Donna Reed Show.” While Shelley didn’t get the part of Liesl, some readers may also remember her from the 1980s-1990s TV show “Coach,” which was ironically set in Minnesota.
Debbie won the part of Marta. Pre-production started in spring 1964. That April, Debbie and her mom flew to Austria to shoot outdoor scenes for the film. They remained there for three months. Indoor scenes were shot in Los Angeles and took another four months.
Debbie has done some acting since that time. She eventually married Plymouth native Rick Larson, whom she met while skiing in Salt Lake City, UT. The couple married and eventually settled in Chanhassen. They have four daughters, including Brooke, and 11 grandchildren.
Debbie owns a floral design business and was among the volunteer floral designers who helped decorate the White House for Christmas in 2017. She hopes to do it again sometime.
Debbie occasionally participates in events related to “The Sound of Music” and she remains close to Angela Cartwright, who portrayed Brigitta. She also remains close to her roots by designing scarves inspired by the green and white curtains transformed by Maria in the film.