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Ira Gershwin Headshot

Ira Gershwin

Also Credited As: Arthur Francis

Date of Death: August 17, 1983 (86)

Birth Place: New York, NY

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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.

Photos

Productions

Crazy For YouCrazy For You
 
[West End, 2023]
Music & Lyrics
An American in ParisAn American in Paris
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Music and Lyrics
Lady, Be Good!Lady, Be Good!
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Lyrics
An American in Paris
 
[Paris, 2014]
Lyricist
Ziegfeld Follies of 1936
 
[Broadway, 1936]
Director
Lyrics
Director
Lyrics

Writing

Lyricist
Music & Lyrics
Be Yourself
Lyricist
Do It Again!
Lyricist
Lyricist
The Firebrand of Florence
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Funny Face
Lyricist
Lyricist
George Gershwin Alone
Composer/Lyricist
The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Girl Crazy
Lyricist
Lady in the Dark
Lyricist
Lyricist
Let 'Em Eat Cake
Lyricist
Lyricist
Life Begins at 8:40
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
LoveMusik
Lyricist
Lyricist
Mr. Words
Lyricist
Oh, Kay!
Lyricist
Lyricist
Pardon My English
Lyricist
Lyricist
Park Avenue
Lyricist
Lyricist
Porgy and Bess
Lyricist
Lyricist
Primrose
Lyricist
Rosalie
Lyricist
Lyricist
Show Girl
Lyricist
Lyricist
Stairway to Paradise
Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Strike Up the Band
Lyricist
Lyricist
Tell Me More!
Lyricist
Lyricist
Tip-Toes
Lyricist
Lyricist
Treasure Girl
Lyricist
Lyricist
Ziegfeld Follies of 1936
Lyricist
Lyricist

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

Videos

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News


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Lorna Dallas Will Perform Encore of SNAPSHOTS at Chelsea Table + Stage
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2025

Lorna Dallas will return to Chelsea Table + Stage for an encore performance of her all-new show in ”Snapshots”, her latest collection of musical memories. The debut of the show this past fall was welcomed with glorious acclaim.
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RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR and More Set for Writers Theatre 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Writers Theatre has revealed its 2025/26 season. The five-play season is marked by four productions never seen before in Chicago and two add-on special engagements.  
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Charter Oak Cultural Center and Congregation Beth Israel Present A JEWISH JOURNEY THROUGH BROADWAY: Part 1
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 6, 2025

Charter Oak Cultural Center and Congregation Beth Israel has announced a one-night-only performance of A Jewish Journey Through Broadway: Part 1 (1920-1980). This cabaret-style concert will feature songs by Jewish giants of the musical theatre including songs by Sondheim, Bernstein, Gershwin, Kern, and more performed by an accomplished cast.
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Exploring Theater Events: Musicals, Plays, Operas, and More
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 4, 2025

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Review: Tony Award Winner Sutton Foster Returns to the OC at Irvine Barclay
by Michael Quintos - Mar 3, 2025

Fresh off her final set of performances in the L.A. transfer of the new Broadway revival of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, the two-time Tony Award winning stage and screen star recently returned to Orange County, CA for a one-night-only sold out concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre accompanied by music director Michael Rafter. Foster dazzled the audience with selections that ranged from traditional showtunes to classic pop hits and even a lullaby or two inspired by her daughter Emily.
CRAZY FOR YOU is Now Playing at Broadway Palm Photo
CRAZY FOR YOU is Now Playing at Broadway Palm
by Stephi Wild - Feb 27, 2025

Get ready to be swept off your feet as Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Crazy for You, running now through April 5, 2025.
ONE FOR MY BABY Comes to All Roads Theatre Company Photo
ONE FOR MY BABY Comes to All Roads Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Feb 18, 2025

All Roads Theatre Company’s 2025 Season will kick off with the World Premiere musical ONE FOR MY BABY next month. Learn more about the upcoming show and how to get tickets here!
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Ute Lemper Celebrates Kurt Weill's 125th Birthday with New Album
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2025

In honor of revolutionary composer Kurt Weill’s 125th birthday this year, acclaimed singer & actress Ute Lemper has announced her new album, Pirate Jenny.
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Review: PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES at Strathmore
by Mary Lincer - Feb 7, 2025

In the late 1960s (in her late 60s), cabaret étoile Mabel Mercer added the utterly goofy 'Wait 'til We're 65' (by Lerner & Lane) to her sets; when she was well past 50, Barbara Cook began including Harper & Zippel's wildly funny 'The Ingenue' to her shows, simultaneously sending up her rivals and ageism.
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SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Comes to Riverside Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 6, 2025

Riverside Theatre has announced the Golden Era film turned stage musical Singin’ in the Rain as the next production of the 2024-2025 season on the Stark Stage.
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Hershey Felder Will Bring RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR to South Coast Repertory
by Stephi Wild - Feb 5, 2025

South Coast Repertory and HFP LIVE will present pianist/actor/playwright/producer Hershey Felder, for a strictly limited engagement of Rachmaninoff and the Tsar.
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by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2025

Continuing the 28th Season theme of Sun, Moon, and Stars, American Classics will present 'Moonlight, Music, and Romance: Musical Lunar Delights' in February. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
MONTHLY QUIZ""Musical People Born in February Photo
MONTHLY QUIZ""Musical People Born in February
by Rob Lester - Feb 1, 2025

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Photos: TO LIFE FIVE At The Willow Theatre Photo
Photos: TO LIFE FIVE At The Willow Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 18, 2025

See photos from To Life 5: Jewish Broadway to Hollywood - Stories & Music Celebrating 561the Contributions of Jewish Composers and Entertainers to Broadway and the Great Hollywood Musicals. 
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Exclusive: Listen to 'Migratory V' From Ari Axelrod's Upcoming Album 'A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway'
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2025

Ari Axelrod will release his new album A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway on Friday, January 17. We have your exclusive first listen to the track 'Migratory V', written by Adam Guettel for Myths & Hymns.
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA’s Chamber Music Series Perform Love-Inspired P Photo
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA’s Chamber Music Series Perform Love-Inspired Program in February
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2025

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA’s 2024-2025 Chamber Music Series will continue with the VSO Chamber Ensemble: The Love of Music next month. Learn more here!
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19 Theater Books for Your Winter 2025 Reading List
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Spotlight: RHAPSODY & RHYTHM: THE GERSHWIN CONCERT EXPERIENCE at Herberger Theatre Center
by BWW Special Offer - Jan 10, 2025

Step into the world of George and Ira Gershwin with Rhapsody & Rhythm: The Gershwin Concert Experience, a dazzling tribute produced by Gershwin Entertainment. This unforgettable performance combines live music, storytelling, and exclusive home videos from the Gershwin family archives, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and works of America’s most iconic musical duo.
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Ari Axelrod to Release A PLACE FOR US: A CELEBRATION OF JEWISH BROADWAY Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 6, 2024

PS CLASSICS will release a new album from award-winning musical storyteller Ari Axelrod. A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway will be available on CD and digital formats. Learn more!
Review: STRIKE UP THE BAND! at Carnegie Hall Photo
Review: STRIKE UP THE BAND! at Carnegie Hall
by Joanna Barouch - Nov 12, 2024

Musical gems buried in a mind-numbing story
More News

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.

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