George Gershwin
Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY
GOTTA DANCE! to be Presented Off-Broadway at Stage 42 (Mar 3, 2026)
Cabaret Roundup: March 2-8- Lillias White, Linda Eder & More (Mar 2, 2026)
Best Cabaret in March 2026: Elizabeth Gillies, Linda Eder, Todd Glass & More (Mar 1, 2026)
BIO
George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn on September 26, 1898, and began his musical training when he was 13. At 16 he quit high school to work as a "song plugger" for a music publisher, and soon he was writing songs himself. "Swanee," as introduced by Al Jolson, brought George his first real fame and led to his writing a succession of 22 musical comedies, most with his older brother, Ira. The Gershwins' shows include Lady Be Good, Oh, Kay!, Strike Up the Band, Girl Crazy, and the Pulitzer Prize winning Of Thee I Sing. From his early career George had ambitions to compose serious music, and his classical masterpieces include "Rhapsody In Blue," "Concerto In F," "An American In Paris" and "Second Rhapsody." In the late '20s George became fascinated by the DuBose Heyward novel Porgy, recognizing it as a perfect vehicle for opera using jazz and blues idioms. The folk opera Porgy and Bess had its Broadway premiere in October of 1935. In 1937 George was at the height of his career. While working on the score of The Goldwyn Follies in Hollywood, he collapsed, and on July 11, died of a brain tumor. He was not quite 39 years old.
Photos
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
Productions
Writing
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Composer
Movies
[ 1937 ] music by
[ 1938 ] music by
[ 1945 ] music
[ 1951 ] music by
[ 1957 ] songwriter
[ 1964 ] songs by
[ 2013 ] music
[ 2018 ] music and lyrics by
Awards and Nominations
George GershwinThe Gershwins' Porgy And Bess
winner
George Gershwin, Crazy For You
Videos
Video: Brittany Renee And Ryan Speedo Green Sing From PORGY AND BESS At The Metropolitan Opera
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-29 20:41:17
Coming Up at 54 Below: Exclusive Previews from Jenn Colella, Lillias White & More
by Joey Mervis - 2025-03-17 15:37:23
Video: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Performs 'Rhapsody in Blue' With Boston Symphony Orchestra
by Joshua Wright - 2024-09-25 10:49:31
Video: Cast and Creatives Talk NEXT TO NORMAL at Barrington Stage
by Stephi Wild - 2024-09-04 06:53:59
Video: Inside Rehearsals for Barrington Stage's NEXT TO NORMAL Starring Natalie Joy Johnson
by Joshua Wright - 2024-08-06 10:49:52
VIDEO: First Look At Hershey Felder in GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE At TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
by Joshua Wright - 2024-02-01 12:50:53
Video: Sean Hayes Reveals Why Starring in GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR is 'Therapeutic' to Him on CBS MORNINGS
by Michael Major - 2023-05-22 10:13:13
Video: Go Inside the GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR Opening Night Curtain Call!
by A.A. Cristi - 2023-04-25 22:47:36
Photos/Video: First Look at Sean Hayes and More in GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR Ahead of Tonight's Opening Night
by Show Highlights - 2023-04-24 10:44:52
Video: Watch Jennifer Holliday Preview Her 54 Below Return
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - 2023-02-07 11:14:25
Toni Tennille To Lead HELLO, DOLLY! at Yavapai College Performance Hall in Prescott, AZ
by Team BWW - 2022-08-26 11:50:29
VIDEO: Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein Perform 'Our Love is Here to Stay' by George Gershwin
by Stephi Wild - 2022-07-11 05:26:36
VIDEO: First Look at AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' Now Playing at Barrington Stage Company
by Stephi Wild - 2022-06-24 09:19:22
VIDEO: Inside Rehearsal For AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' at Barrington Stage Company
by Stephi Wild - 2022-06-14 10:52:58
Photo/Video: First Look at Sean Hayes, Ben Rappaport & More in GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2022-03-17 15:02:35
VIDEO: Works & Process Bubble Performance: Rhapsody In Blue For New York
by Alan Henry - 2021-07-13 12:31:24
VIDEO: Go Inside Rehearsals For Barrington Stage's WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?
by Alan Henry - 2021-06-11 14:12:21
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2026
Gotta Dance!—the first dance production to capture the original choreography of classic musicals including West Side Story, Singin’ in the Rain, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and others — all on one stage will be presented Off-Broadway.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 2, 2026
NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including a night celebrating the lyrics of Tin Pan Alley, comedian Todd Glass doing a new solo show, jazz, and more.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 1, 2026
See some of the biggest names performing at cabaret venues this month - at a range of budget points. Tickets to these shows are limited and they are likely to sell out, so make sure to check this list when you plan out your month!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 24, 2026
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara and HFP Live will present pianist/actor/playwright/producer present the Southern California premiere of Hershey Felder starring in a new play, The Piano & Me.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 23, 2026
British vocal ensemble Apollo•5 will present a series of concerts in Colorado, Virginia, New Mexico, and Hawaii, showcasing a diverse repertoire from classical to contemporary music.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 23, 2026
APOLLO•5 will launch a U.S. tour with performances at the University of Northern Colorado, the Southwestern American Choral Directors Association conference, and the Honolulu Chamber Music Series.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 23, 2026
Jason Graae will return to 54 Below in his new show It's a Graae Night For Singing! The recently Graae-headed Jason Graae explores his Graae-ness and his beloved, fascinating and divorced parents, along with their friends and acquaintances, and more.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 23, 2026
We have you covered with top picks this week for jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few highlights to consider this week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 20, 2026
Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Allison Bailey, Jordan Tyson and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 18, 2026
The Colorado Music Festival will mark its 50th anniversary with a season featuring world premieres and performances by renowned artists like Yuja Wang.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 17, 2026
Read a conversation with The Orchestra of St. Luke’s President and Executive Director James Roe about highlights of their 2026 season, how to support OSL, and how parents can get their kids involved in the Youth Orchestra of St. Luke's (YOSL).
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2026
Violinist Kristin Lee and GRAMMY-nominated ensemble Sandbox Percussion are joining forces this year to give the premiere performances of a new work composed for them by JUNO Award-winning composer Vivian Fung.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2026
Wolf Trap will present a diverse lineup of classical music and opera performances for its 2026 summer season, featuring renowned global artists and ensembles.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 10, 2026
Valentine's Day is almost upon us – but what's un-sexier than realizing you've been caught at the last minute with no plans to celebrate the special day? We rounded up seven of the best cabaret shows, concerts and comedy shows not yet sold out.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 9, 2026
MidAmerica Productions will present its 43rd concert season at Carnegie Hall, featuring 11 world premieres and a mix of sacred and secular music from March to June 2026.
by Stephen Sorokoff - Feb 6, 2026
In 1936, 12 year old Frankie Ross Wolpin sat next to her cousin George Gershwin on his piano bench in New York City while he played the piano. Last night (February 5th 2026) the 101 year old Frankie was seated next to Michael Feinstein on another piano bench as he played and sang Gershwin’s “Our Love Is Here To Stay”.
by Stephen Sorokoff - Feb 6, 2026
Read memories from George and Ira Gershwin's 101-year-old cousin as told at a private event last night featuring Michael Feinstein, and see photos from the event snapped by Stephen Sorokoff.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2026
Lorna Dallas, one of cabaret's most acclaimed and cherished artists and the recipient of a 2020 Bistro Award for “Consummate Cabaret Artistry,” returns to Chelsea Table + Stage.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2026
92NY Lyrics & Lyricists 2025/26 season will continues with Stardust: From Tin Pan Alley to Broadway led by triple Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall, celebrating the era and songbook of hits.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2026
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has unveiled its 56th season—a lineup of works to be presented July 2026 through April 2027. TheatreWorks Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli revealed the three plays, two musicals, and one play with music.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
George Gershwin has written 48 shows including Half-Past Eight (Composer), La, La, Lucille (Composer), La-La-Lucille! (Composer), Morris Gest's "Midnight Whirl" (Composer), George White's Scandals [1920] (Composer), Snapshots of 1921 (Composer), The Broadway Whirl (Composer), George White's Scandals [1921] (Composer), The French Doll (Composer), George White's Scandals [1922] (Composer), Our Nell (Composer), George White's Scandals [1923] (Composer), Sweet Little Devil (Composer), George White's Scandals [1924] (Composer), Primrose (Composer), Lady, Be Good (Composer), Tell Me More! (Composer), Tip-Toes (Composer), Song of the Flame (Composer), Oh, Kay! (Composer), Strike Up the Band (Composer), Funny Face (Composer), Rosalie (Composer), Treasure Girl (Composer), Show Girl (Composer), Girl Crazy (Composer), Of Thee I Sing (Composer), Pardon My English (Composer), Let 'Em Eat Cake (Composer), Porgy and Bess (Composer), All Points West (Composer), Who Cares? (Composer), Do It Again! (Composer), Mr. Words (Composer), My One and Only (Composer), Gertrude Stein and a Companion (Additional Music), Reaching for the Moon (Composer), Crazy for You (Composer), The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm (Composer/Lyricist), Jolson & Co. (Composer/Lyricist), American Rhapsody: A New Musical Revue (Composer), George Gershwin Alone (Composer/Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), Stairway to Paradise (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), The Gershwins' An American In Paris (Composer), Come Fly Away (Composer), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Composer), A Night With Janis Joplin (Composer).
George Gershwin has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for "The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess" and the American Express Award for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Crazy For You". These nominations highlight the recognition and acclaim that Gershwin's musical works have received in the industry.
George Gershwin has won the American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for "Crazy For You".
Videos