Young thespian donates lovelocks

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — When Taylor Lamerand, age ten, called about auditioning for the lead in the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop’s production of “Oliver!,” she was told that if a girl were to be cast in one of the lead child roles, she would have to cut her hair. Taylor didn’t blink. She came to the audition—hair tucked under a cap—and between her engaging face and voice, her acting ability and her command of an English accent, Taylor landed the role hands down.

As the production date was getting closer, another variable entered the picture. Taylor decided that she wanted to donate her hair to “Locks for Love,” an organization that takes donated hair and makes wigs that are given, free of charge, to patients with cancer who have lost their hair as a result of their treatments. But in order to donate the hair, it had to be ten inches long. Taylor’s was shy by half an inch. And so she waited. Now, with the production close at hand, Taylor’s hair has grown to its ten-inch donation minimum, and she has gone in for the ceremonial shearing—leaving her with a pixie cut that will do Oliver proud.

One of the most poignant songs in the score of the show is “Where Is Love?” Taylor’s sweet and clear soprano voice cries out this musical question—but apparently, she’s had the answer all along.

“Oliver!” will be performed by the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop at the Rivoli Theatre in South Fallsburg on August 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14. The project was made possible in part with funding from the Sullivan County Arts & Heritage Grant funded by the Sullivan County Legislators.

For more information call 845/434-7232.