Ira Gershwin

Also Credited As: Arthur Francis

Date of Death: August 17, 1983 (86)

Birth Place: New York, NY

Get Ira Gershwin Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Ira Gershwin BIO

Ira Gershwin, the first songwriter to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize, was born in New York City on December 6, 1896. In 1917 The Evening Sun published his first song ("You May Throw All The Rice You Desire But Please Friends, Throw No Shoes"). Four years later Ira enjoyed his first major stage success, Two Little Girls in Blue, written with another Broadway newcomer, Vincent Youmans. In 1924 Ira and his brother, George, created the smash hit Lady Be Good and went on to continue their remarkable collaboration through a dozen major stage scores, producing such standards as "Fascinating Rhythm," "The Man I Love," "S' Wonderful," "Embraceable You," "I Got Rhythm," "But Not For Me" and others far too numerous to mention. During his long career, Ira also enjoyed productive collaborations with such songwriters as Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Kurt Weill, Burton Lane and Jerome Kern, with whom he created his greatest song hit of any one year, "Long Ago And Far Away." Ira Gershwin died on August 17, 1983, in Beverly Hills, California.

Ira Gershwin Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
Music & Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Lyrics
 
[Paris, 2014]
Lyricist
 
[Broadway, 1936]
Director
Lyrics
Director
Lyrics

Writing

Lyricist
Music & Lyrics
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist

Ira Gershwin Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 1993 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Ira Gershwin, Crazy For You


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1932 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Ira Gershwin, Of Thee I Sing

Ira Gershwin Videos

Ira Gershwin News


Michael Feinstein In To Star In RAINBOW: THE NEW JUDY GARLAND MUSICAL  at the Mark Taper Forum

Experience the magic of Judy Garland's music anew with RAINBOW: THE NEW JUDY GARLAND MUSICAL, featuring Michael Feinstein at the Mark Taper Forum.

Lainie Kazan's Four Classic 60s Albums Available for the First Time in Almost 60 Years

Available for the first time in the nearly 60 years since they were introduced, the four 1960s vocal albums from Lainie Kazan are now streaming on all digital platforms.

CRAZY FOR YOU to be Presented at Nazareth University Arts Center

Experience the magic of George and Ira Gershwin's classic music in CRAZY FOR YOU at Nazareth University Arts Center in April. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Immersive A GAGA GUIDE TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE To Return This Spring

After a 7-month run last year, Spin Cycle will present the return of A GAGA GUIDE TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE. Learn more about the experience!

Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert MY FAVORITE THINGS Will Be Available to Stream in the US

My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be available to stream on-demand in North America from Sunday, March 24 through Sunday, March 31, 2024. We have all of the details on how you can watch from home!

Billy Porter And More To Celebrate Elton John And Bernie Taupin Receiving The Gershwin Prize In All-Star Tribute

Join the celebration as Elton John and Bernie Taupin receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. The lineup includes performances by Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Metallica, and Billy Porter.

George Gershwin's First Musical Rediscovered After Nearly A Century

George Gershwin's long-lost first musical has been unearthed by a Michigan researcher after almost a century.

Exclusive: Watch Montego Glover Sing Gershwin with the New York Pops

In this video, watch as Montego Glover joins the the New York Pops to perform music by the Gershwins.

MasterVoices Continues Season With the New York City Premiere of TO MY ARMS / RESTORE

MasterVoices continues its 2023-24 season on March 22-23 at NYU Skirball with the New York City Premiere of Varone’s To My Arms / Restore.

Review: The New York Pops Honored Gershwin with A CENTURY OF RHAPSODY IN BLUE at Carnegie

On Friday February 9, 2024, the New York Pops paid tribute to Gershwin’s music on the occasion of the near 100-year anniversary of “Rhapsody in Blue” (it officially hits 100 today, on February 12). Guest vocalist Montego Glover and the 78-piece New York Pops orchestra were a delight to watch.

Photos: Go Inside GERSHWIN: A CENTURY OF RHAPSODY IN BLUE with Montego Glover and The New York Pops

Check out photos from The New York Pops's celebration of the centennial of Gershwin’s masterpiece Rhapsody in Blue here!

Review: CRAZY FOR YOU at Artistry

What did our critic think of CRAZY FOR YOU at Artistry?

Review: THE LINEUP Brings Variety and a Vivacious Volcanic Hostess at Birdland

'Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day' rhymed Ira Gershwin in 'The Man I Love.' Tuesdays bring multiple performers, Mosher & mayhem to Birdland, but that's not news. It's been a regular feature for a while now. A little bit of everything and a lot of zing from the hostess comes along on Tuesdays and Birdland.

Interview: Hershey Felder of HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE & HERSHEY FELDER'S GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK SING-ALONG at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

BroadwayWorld chats with virtuoso actor/pianist/filmmaker Hershey Felder about his return to TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in his popular 'George Gershwin Alone' & 'Great American Songbook Sing-Along' shows February 7th thru 12th.

VIDEO: First Look At Hershey Felder in GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE At TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

Get a first look at Hershey Felder as he illuminates the life and music of George Gershwin, the legendary tunesmith whose work shaped a distinctly American style of music with such iconic works such as “A Rhapsody in Blue,” “I Got Rhythm,” “’S Wonderful,” and many more.

CHAMPION, HIGHWAY PATROL & More Lead Chicago's February 2024 Top Picks

Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. February 2024's top picks include Lyric Opera's Champion, Cinderella, Goodman's Highway Patrol and more.

MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING World Premiere & More Set for Ogunquit Playhouse 2024 Season

Ogunquit Playhouse has unveiled their 92nd season. See full programming, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Elton John and Bernie Taupin to Receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Elton John and Bernie Taupin, one of the great songwriting duos of all time, will be the 2024 recipients of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

World Premiere of Tina Howe's Final Play WHERE WOMEN GO to be Presented at at HERE Mainstage in February

The Tent Theater Company, in association with Concord Theatricals, will present the premiere production of Tina Howe’s final play, Where Women Go, running February 9-25 at HERE Mainstage.

Ira Gershwin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Ira Gershwin written?

Ira Gershwin has written 48 shows including Two Little Girls in Blue (Lyricist), For Goodness Sake (Lyricist), George White's Scandals [1922] (Lyricist), Be Yourself (Lyricist), Primrose (Lyricist), Lady, Be Good (Lyricist), Tell Me More! (Lyricist), Tip-Toes (Lyricist), Oh, Kay! (Lyricist), Strike Up the Band (Lyricist), Funny Face (Lyricist), Rosalie (Lyricist), Treasure Girl (Lyricist), Show Girl (Lyricist), Girl Crazy (Lyricist), Sweet and Low (Lyricist), Shoot the Works! (Lyricist), Of Thee I Sing (Lyricist), Pardon My English (Lyricist), Let 'Em Eat Cake (Lyricist), Life Begins at 8:40 (Lyricist), Porgy and Bess (Lyricist), Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 (Lyricist), All Points West (Lyricist), Lady in the Dark (Lyricist), The Firebrand of Florence (Lyricist), Park Avenue (Lyricist), Do It Again! (Lyricist), Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (Lyricist), Mr. Words (Lyricist), A Kurt Weill Cabaret (Lyricist), My One and Only (Lyricist), Gertrude Stein and a Companion (Additional Music), Reaching for the Moon (Lyricist), Crazy for You (Lyricist), The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm (Composer/Lyricist), George Gershwin Alone (Composer/Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Lyricist), Never Gonna Dance (Lyricist), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), LoveMusik (Lyricist), Stairway to Paradise (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), The Gershwins' An American In Paris (Lyricist), Come Fly Away (Lyricist), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Lyricist), A Night With Janis Joplin (Lyricist), A Star is Born (Music & Lyrics).

What awards has Ira Gershwin been nominated for?

Ira Gershwin has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include the American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for "Crazy For You" and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for "Of Thee I Sing". These nominations highlight the recognition and acclaim that Ira Gershwin's work has received in the Broadway industry.

What awards has Ira Gershwin won?

Ira Gershwin has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable achievements include receiving the American Express Award for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Crazy For You." He also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Of Thee I Sing." These awards recognize his talent and contribution to the Broadway industry.

Get Ira Gershwin Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos