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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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 Photos

Ira Gershwin 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

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

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Ira Gershwin News


ELLA THE UNGOVERNABLE By David McDonald To Be Presented By Theater for the New City T Photo
ELLA THE UNGOVERNABLE By David McDonald To Be Presented By Theater for the New City This June

Experience the world premiere of ELLA THE UNGOVERNABLE by David McDonald at Theater for the New City from June 20 to July 7. This gripping drama explores themes of rebellion and resilience.
ELLA THE UNGOVERNABLE By David McDonald to be Presented at Theater for the New City Photo
ELLA THE UNGOVERNABLE By David McDonald to be Presented at Theater for the New City

ELLA THE UNGOVERNABLE by David McDonald will be presented at TNC this summer. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Singer/Actress Karen Akers Returns to Birdland Photo
Photos: Singer/Actress Karen Akers Returns to Birdland

Birdland was thrilled to once again present singer/actress Karen Akers at the iconic club on Monday, May 27.
Max Clayton, Sally Struthers, Angie Schworer & More to Star in CRAZY FOR YOU at Ogunq Photo
Max Clayton, Sally Struthers, Angie Schworer & More to Star in CRAZY FOR YOU at Ogunquit Playhouse

Ogunquit Playhouse has revealed the full cast for CRAZY FOR YOU. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
North American Tour of MYSTIC PIZZA to Launch in January 2025 Photo
North American Tour of MYSTIC PIZZA to Launch in January 2025

The highly-anticipated musical adaptation of the 1988 classic movie MYSTIC PIZZA, which recently completed a critically hailed run at LA Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this past January, will embark on a North American Tour in January 2025.
Review: PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES at Kennedy Center Photo
Review: PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES at Kennedy Center

The triple -threat talent of the charismatic performer Patti LuPone was on full display at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Friday evening---and, oh! What a night it was! A capacity crowd of what was obviously a devoted (and almost fanatical fan base) tuned out to see a glorious two hours of songs ---which were sung with sheer show -biz brio by the resonant mezzo-soprano of Ms. LuPone.
LADY, BE GOOD Comes to Teatro Massimo Opera House Palermo Photo
LADY, BE GOOD Comes to Teatro Massimo Opera House Palermo

A brand-new production of the Gershwin musical LADY, BE GOOD will premiere at the Teatro Massimo Opera House in Palermo, Italy on Tuesday 18 June.
Review: BENEFIT FOR HAMPTONS SUMMER SONGBOOK BY THE SEA at Triad Theater Photo
Review: BENEFIT FOR HAMPTONS SUMMER SONGBOOK BY THE SEA at Triad Theater

On Tuesday May 7th at 6 pm, Donna Rubin and Josh Gladstone presented a sampling platter of their upcoming Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea series, which boasts an impressive lineup of cabaret stars. The benefit, held in Manhattan, served both to provide an overture of sorts for the summer concert series and fundraising for LTV Studios
SOUTH PACIFIC & More Announced For Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's 55th Seas Photo
SOUTH PACIFIC & More Announced For Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's 55th Season

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston (RMT) will bring three timeless and timely classics to the stage for its 55th Season: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific (June 14- June 23, 2024),  All Shook Up, inspired by the music of Elvis Presley (July 12 - July 21, 2024), and An American in Paris (August 9 - August 18, 2024). 
Reagle Music Theatre Of Greater Boston Reveals 55th Season Photo
Reagle Music Theatre Of Greater Boston Reveals 55th Season

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will bring three timeless and timely classics to the stage for its 55th Season. Learn more about the lineup here!
South Coast Repertory Announces LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS And More For 2024-25 Season Photo
South Coast Repertory Announces LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS And More For 2024-25 Season

Discover the exciting lineup for SOUTH COAST REPERTORY's 2024-25 Season, featuring three world premieres: JOAN by Daniel Goldstein, THE STAIRCASE by Noa Gardner, and a surprise play yet to be announced.
Birdland Jazz Presents The Return Of Karen Akers In WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE This Month Photo
Birdland Jazz Presents The Return Of Karen Akers In WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE This Month

Acclaimed vocalist and actress, Karen Akers, returns to Birdland with her popular show, WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE, on May 27.
Mike Birbiglia's Titles, Including THE OLD MAN AND THE POOL, Acquired By Concord Thea Photo
Mike Birbiglia's Titles, Including THE OLD MAN AND THE POOL, Acquired By Concord Theatricals

Concord Theatricals has acquired the titles of Mike Birbiglia, with five of his stage works soon to be available for publishing and licensing worldwide.
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Casts of HELL'S KITCHEN, THE NOTEBOOK & More to Perform at New Dramatists Spring Luncheon

New Dramatists will host its Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute on Tuesday, May 14 at the New York Marriott Marquis. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.
El Ensamble Unforgettable Rendirá Homenaje A Tony Bennett En El Ciclo Jazz Y Algo M�¿� Photo
El Ensamble Unforgettable Rendirá Homenaje A Tony Bennett En El Ciclo Jazz Y Algo Más...

En el marco del programa Música Inbal en los museos, dentro del ciclo Jazz y algo más…, organizado por la Secretaría de Cultura federal y el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (Inbal), se llevará a cabo el concierto Unforgettable, Recordando a Tony Bennett, el domingo 28 de abril, a las 13:30 h, en el Museo José Luis Cuevas.
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Review: AUTUMN IN NEW YORK: VERNON DUKE'S BROADWAY Is a Crowd-Pleaser at Chelsea Table + Stage

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Klea Blackhurst to Return to Chelsea Table + Stage With ONE OF THE GIRLS

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.
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Concord Theatricals Titles Now Available on BroadwayWorld Stage Mag With New Partnership

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Review: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at CVRep

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Review: Patti LuPone Splendidly Sings of A LIFE IN NOTES

In the past few years, Patti LuPone has resigned from Actor’s Equity Association and suspended her legendary Broadway career, but as she proved with her Celebrity Series of Boston performance at Symphony Hall on April 2, the three-time Tony Award winner can still command a concert stage.
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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.

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