Have Mercy for the Memory of Mercer

Stars, no matter how bright, don’t burn forever. Take the case of Johnny Mercer, a popular and well-regarded midcentury songwriter, lyricist and (occasional) singer. He penned more than 1,500 songs during the course of his career but faded from the collective pop-culture consciousness. In order to rectify this and brighten Mercer’s star, Quality Hill Playhouse (303 West 10th Street) presents Blues in the Night, a tribute to the man’s lyrics. Among the songs that singers take on: “One for My Baby,” “Autumn Leaves” and “Skylark.” The production runs through February 20. Tickets cost $24-$26; call
816-421-1700 or see qualityhillplayhouse.com for more information.— Danny Volin

Fri., Jan. 14, 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 15, 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 16, 3 & 8 p.m.; Mon., Jan. 17, 8 p.m.; Wed., Jan. 19, 8 p.m.; Thu., Jan. 20, 1 & 8 p.m.; Fri., Jan. 21, 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 22, 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 23, 3 & 8 p.m.; Mon., Jan. 24, 8 p.m.; Wed., Jan. 26, 8 p.m.; Thu., Jan. 27, 1 & 8 p.m.; Fri., Jan. 28, 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 29, 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 3 & 8 p.m.; Tue., Feb. 1, 8 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 2, 1 & 8 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 3, 8 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 4, 8 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 5, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 6, 3 p.m.; Tue., Feb. 8, 8 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 9, 1 & 8 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 10, 8 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 11, 8 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 12, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 13, 3 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 16, 1 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 17, 8 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 18, 8 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 19, 3 & 8 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 20, 3 p.m., 2011