George Gershwin
Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY
Conductor James Gaffigan to Lead Chicago Symphony, NSO & San Francisco Symphony in Spring 2026 (Apr 15, 2026)
TheatreWorks and Hershey Felder Will Screen THE ASSEMBLY Documentary in May (Apr 14, 2026)
Party of One: Broadway’s Solo Show Takeover (Apr 12, 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.
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Productions
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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 - Apr 15, 2026
James Gaffigan will conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony this spring, with Jean-Yves Thibaudet among featured soloists.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2026
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Hershey Felder will screen the documentary THE ASSEMBLY on May 4 at Fox Theatre in Redwood City, followed by a live musical performance and Q&A with Felder and the film's stars.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Apr 12, 2026
Broadway has a long history of one-person shows, including many that have been added to the canon in this century. Seeing one actor powerfully create a whole world on stage can be an exceptional experience. Of course, one handers are hardly one-person projects; while there may only be one actor on stage, they are collaborating with an entire team of creatives, designers, and behind-the-scenes personnel to bring a show to life.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2026
The Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra and The Spirituals Project will perform American Spirit at the Lone Tree Arts Center, featuring works by Bernstein, Gershwin, Copland, and Florence Price.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 4, 2026
American Contemporary Ballet will present SPECTACULAR BALANCHINE! June 4-20 at Bank of America Plaza in Los Angeles, featuring works including Stars and Stripes and Who Cares?, performed with live music.
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Apr 2, 2026
GOTTA DANCE! is now playing at Stage 42 in New York City. Go inside opening night with new photos from the red carpet. Watch a new video of highlights from the show!
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 1, 2026
GOTTA DANCE! is now playing at Stage 42 in New York City. The production, presented by Riki Kane Larimer, features recreated choreography from classic Broadway and Hollywood musicals. Watch a video of highlights from the show!
by David McKibbin - Mar 30, 2026
Palm Beach Opera concluded its 2026 season with an intimate Cabaret featuring Grammy-award winning pianist, arranger and coach Craig Terry. This event was underwritten by The Sandy and Isanne Fisher Musical Theatre and Cabaret Fund.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 27, 2026
Violinist Edward W. Hardy performed a diverse set including works by Ariana Grande and Queen during his Subway Series at Grand Central Terminal. The event took place on March 14-15. Check out the video here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 23, 2026
On April 30th, pianist and composer Guy Mintus will return to Manhattan's Upper West Side for a special performance commemorating International Jazz Day at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2026
The Houston Symphony and Music Director Juraj Valčuha revealed details of the 2026−27 Season, Valčuha’s fifth as music director. Valčuha leads eight of the eighteen classical subscription programs in the season.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 11, 2026
Opera singer Amy Bouchard will make her debut at The Marsh San Francisco with the world premiere of Amadeus Never Gives Me the Blues, a new musical solo show tracing the genesis of her artistry.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2026
Muzzy Ridge Concerts will return for its sixth season of summer performances in July 2026. Muzzy Ridge Concerts expands this year from four to six performances over the month of July, offering three programs, each performed twice.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2026
The Stanford Jazz Workshop has announced the 54th annual Stanford Jazz Festival at Stanford University. This year's festival will feature a diverse lineup including jazz legends and contemporary artists across various genres.
by Andrew Poretz - Mar 6, 2026
Michael Feinstein channels the golden age of New York nightclubs in a swinging Standard Time concert highlighted by dazzling big-band arrangements led by Tedd Firth.
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.
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