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Published on 08/14/1995 All articles from this issue

Morningstar performers find touring tough, but rewarding in Eastern Europe

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By Jennifer Bixler / Town Crier Staff Writer

With the "iron curtain" shed and the dawning of freedom, the Los Altos-based performing group Morningstar toured the Eastern European countries of New Czech Republic, Slavakia, Austria and Finland, on June 22 through July 6.

Twenty-eight teens performed eight shows of "Who Could Ask For Anything More?!" a medley of songs from "Coming to America" to "I Got Rhythm" to audiences of all sizes.

When performing in the New Czech Republic, Morningstar had to put up a $10,000 bond to guarantee that there would be no selling of their equipment, said Dagny Merrill, director of Morningstar.

"It was a three-day wait to get into Slavakia and it would be another $10,000 bond. We didn't want to put up another $10,000 and it was said that they wouldn't give it back," Merrill said. Morningstar decided not to perform in Slavakia.

"The bonds were a hold-over of the old Communist ways," Merrill said.

The performers gained a new-found appreciation for the freedoms America enjoys and takes for granted, Merrill said.

"(Troup members) also appreciated the oldness that they don't have here, 1,400-year-old buildings and castles, a great experience," Merrill said.

Morningstar is a singing and dancing non-profit education foundation that was founded by Merrill 17 years ago. More than 800 performers have been involved in the program.

"Morningstar is very positive and it saves a lot of kids that are lost," Merrill said. "It is an intense experience, with a strong influence of family."