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 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

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Music & Lyrics
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Bookwriter
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Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
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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


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


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


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


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 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.

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 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.

Review: AUTUMN IN NEW YORK: VERNON DUKE'S BROADWAY Is a Crowd-Pleaser at Chelsea Table + Stage


At Chelsea Table + Stage, Klea Blackhurst 'Box Set' shows are continuing to draw crowds and bring smiles. Songs of Vernon Duke were on the bill in April, and May 5 will find her saluting Jerry Herman.

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.

Concord Theatricals Titles Now Available on BroadwayWorld Stage Mag With New Partnership


BroadwayWorld and Concord Theatricals announced today a new partnership extending BroadwayWorld’s Stage Mag online show program technology to their entire catalog of titles, including the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection, The Rodgers and Hammerstein collection, Samuel French titles, and the Tams-Witmark collection.

Review: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at CVRep


When a successful theatre company presents a period musical they pray for a hit. With good actors, a witty script, great music, excellent direction, and clever choreography that can transport an entire audience back in time; Coachella Valley Repertory has compiled such a hit.

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.

Noah Haidu Celebrates STANDARDS II At Brooklyn Conservatory Of Music In April


Pianist Noah Haidu will celebrate the release of Standards II, the follow-up to his acclaimed 2023 Standards, with an album release concert on Friday, April 19 at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

Klea Blackhurst to Present THE BOX SET Series at Chelsea Table + Stage


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.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, BEAUTIFUL, and More Set For Geva Theatre's 2024-25 Season


Geva Theatre has announced its 24/25 Season, kicking off this September. Learn more about the full lineup here!

BWW Q&A: Rob Fisher on SWEENEY TODD at Virginia Arts Festival


Virginia Arts Festival has cast one of Broadway’s leading lights in the role of a new, key position at the Festival: The Goode Family Artistic Advisor for Musical Theater and American Songbook.

Megan Sikora to Star as Ethel Merman in MERMAN Developmental Reading


The York Theatre Company will present a developmental reading of Merman. Learn more about the reading!

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.

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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