Ordway's 'The Words and Music of Johnny Mercer' Set for 4/13-15

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts presents its final event in inaugural 2011-2012 season of the popular Broadway Songbook Series, "The Words and Music of Johnny Mercer," April 13-15 in the Ordway's McKnight Theatre. This three-event series, made possible with the support of executive producers David and Mary Choate, highlights the lives, histories, and stories of musical theater legends. The Broadway Songbook Series has been so successful that the Ordway has added an additional matinee performance to this program on Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m.

The new series brings fresh insight, energy and joy to beloved songs, making every show a warm, humorous and moving portrait of musical theater legends. Conceived and directed by the Ordway's Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Producing Artistic Director, James A. Rocco, each Broadway Songbook program features a dynamic mix of composer life stories, discussion of what made their work so extraordinary, and performances by an ensemble of renowned artists from the Twin Cities musical theater, jazz and cabaret scenes.

"The Words and Music of Johnny Mercer" focuses on the wit and swingin' songs by Mercer, as well as stories about how Mercer became a part of America's cultural legacy. Known for his southern charm and the sophistication of his lyrics, Mercer had hits that spanned four decades. Mercer was also well-known for his lyrical writing for movies and Broadway shows. Mercer won four Academy Awards for his songwriting and he was nominated 19 times throughout his career. In addition, Mercer helped found Capitol Records and was the founding president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. By the end of his career, he had written lyrics for more than 1,500 songs. His hits include: "Moon River," "Goody Goody," "I'm An Old Cowhand," "Jeepers Creepers," "Blues in The Night," "That Old Black Magic," "Come Rain Or Come Shine" and "The Days of Wine and Roses." 

"The Words and Music of Johnny Mercer" has a terrific lineup of singers featuring Joel Liestman, Kersten Rodau, Tonia Hughes, Julius Collins and Cameron Wright, all led by the award-winning musical director Raymond Berg. 

With the success of the 2011-2012 Broadway Songbook Series, the Ordway announced in February it would continue with a 2012-2013 season of its Broadway Songbook Series. The Ordway will produce "The Words and Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein & Hart," September 21-30, 2012; "The Words and Music of Stephen Sondheim," January 18-27, 2013; and "The Words and Music of Cole Porter," April 19-28, 2013. Subscriptions are available now, single tickets will go on sale this summer.