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Ira Gershwin Headshot

Ira Gershwin

Also Credited As: Arthur Francis

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


CINDERELLA'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS is Coming to The Long Beach Shakespeare Company Photo
CINDERELLA'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS is Coming to The Long Beach Shakespeare Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 19, 2025

This holiday season, the Long Beach Shakespeare Company welcomes audiences into a festive, heartfelt re-imagining of the beloved fairytale with Cinderella's Magical Christmas, written and directed by Terry Hill and produced by Holly Leveque.
Review: JULIET EWING: SIMPLY 'S WONDERFUL - THE MAGIC OF GERSHWIN at Chelsea Table + Photo
Review: JULIET EWING: SIMPLY 'S WONDERFUL - THE MAGIC OF GERSHWIN at Chelsea Table + Stage
by Andrew Poretz - Nov 11, 2025

Juliet Ewing's sold-out CD release show at Chelsea Table + Stage delivered an exciting 75 minutes of some of Gershwin's greatest music, with some interesting choices.
Penn State Centre Stage's CRAZY FOR YOU Now on Stage at the Playhouse Theatre Photo
Penn State Centre Stage's CRAZY FOR YOU Now on Stage at the Playhouse Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 27, 2025

Penn State Centre Stage, in the College of Arts and Architecture, is presenting “Crazy for You”— music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, book by Ken Ludwig — directed by Christine O'Grady. Learn more!
Review: PORGY AND BESS at Houston Grand Opera Photo
Review: PORGY AND BESS at Houston Grand Opera
by Armando Urdiales - Oct 25, 2025

As Houston performing arts ventures grow for the 2025-26 season, Houston Grand Opera surpasses them all with a thrilling 50th anniversary production of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Starring powerhouse performers Angel Blue and Michael Sumuel in the title roles, this theatrical staging further cements HGO's monolithic presence not only in Houston but in the world of opera at large.
Listen: Phillip Officer's YOU FASCINATE ME SO Out Now Photo
Listen: Phillip Officer's YOU FASCINATE ME SO Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2025

xCENTER STAGE RECORDS has released You Fascinate Me So: Phillip Officer Salutes Mabel Mercer in streaming and digital formats. Listen here!
Exclusive: First Listen to Phillip Officer's Opening Medley From Upcoming Album Photo
Exclusive: First Listen to Phillip Officer's Opening Medley From Upcoming Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 23, 2025

The new album from Phillip Officer – who originated the role of the “Geek” in the Broadway’s Tony Award-nominated musical Side Show – is out tomorrow. BroadwayWorld has your exclusive first listen to a track here!
Cabaret Roundup: October 20-26- Jackie Cox, Cabaret Convention & More Photo
Cabaret Roundup: October 20-26- Jackie Cox, Cabaret Convention & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Oct 20, 2025

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week
SEUSSICAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT and More Set for 54 Below Next Week Photo
SEUSSICAL 25TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT and More Set for 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Andew Keenan-Bolger, Ann Harada and more. Learn more!
THE SNOW GOOSE World Premiere and More Set for Goodspeed Musicals 2026 Season Photo
THE SNOW GOOSE World Premiere and More Set for Goodspeed Musicals 2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 8, 2025

Two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals has revealed its 2026 season at The Goodspeed, featuring the world premiere of The Snow Goose and more! See the full season lineup here.
First Complete Recording of Kurt Weill And Alan Jay Lerner’s LOVE LIFE Released on Photo
First Complete Recording of Kurt Weill And Alan Jay Lerner’s LOVE LIFE Released on Capriccio Records
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 7, 2025

The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music and Capriccio Records have released the first complete recording of Love Life, the landmark 1948 musical by Kurt Weill and Alan Jay Lerner.
CRAZY FOR YOU Comes to Aspire Community Theatre Photo
CRAZY FOR YOU Comes to Aspire Community Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 6, 2025

Crazy For You is coming to Aspire Community Theatre next year. Crazy for You is a high-energy Broadway musical that blends classic songs, comedy, and show-stopping dance numbers into a feel-good theatrical experience.
Philip Officer Releases New Single 'I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore' Photo
Philip Officer Releases New Single 'I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025

CENTER STAGE RECORDS has released the new single from You Fascinate Me So: Phillip Officer Salutes Mabel Mercer. Learn more about the single and listen here!
Lost Broadway Theaters Still Standing... Continued! Photo
Lost Broadway Theaters Still Standing... Continued!
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Sep 28, 2025

Multiple lost Broadway theaters intersect with the Hammerstein family. This follows since Oscar Hammerstein I was a theater owner and builder. In addition to Hammerstein’s which was named after him and is now the Ed Sullivan, and the New Victory which he originally built, there is also the Hammerstein Ballroom. Read more here!
See Ephraim Sykes, Joy Woods, Adrienne Warren and More at 54 Below in October Photo
See Ephraim Sykes, Joy Woods, Adrienne Warren and More at 54 Below in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2025

In October of 2025, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Joy Woods, Adrienne Warren and more. Learn more!
Phillip Officer to Salute Mabel Mercer With New Album and 54 Below Concert Photo
Phillip Officer to Salute Mabel Mercer With New Album and 54 Below Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 25, 2025

CENTER STAGE RECORDS will release of You Fascinate Me So: Phillip Officer Salutes Mabel Mercer in streaming and digital formats on Friday, October 24. Learn more about the album here!
Houston Grand Opera to Open Season with THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS Photo
Houston Grand Opera to Open Season with THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 25, 2025

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) will launch its 2025–26 season with The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, beginning October 24 at the Wortham Theater Center. The production is directed by Francesca Zambello.
Review: FALL FOR DANCE FESTIVAL at New York City Center through 9/27-Exquisite Photo
Review: FALL FOR DANCE FESTIVAL at New York City Center through 9/27-Exquisite
by Marina Kennedy - Sep 18, 2025

The Fall for Dance Festival is now happening at New York City Center through 9/27. This is the 22nd year of this annual, beloved Festival.
Interview: Adrienne Haan Sings KURT WEILL at The York Theatre Photo
Interview: Adrienne Haan Sings KURT WEILL at The York Theatre
by Rebecca Kaplan - Sep 13, 2025

For one night only on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:30 pm, international cabaret star Adrienne Haan will perform Adrienne Haan Sings Kurt Weill at the York Theatre Company. We spoke with Haan about the show.
Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS Gets Brazilian-made, Black-led Revival at Theatro Municip Photo
Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS Gets Brazilian-made, Black-led Revival at Theatro Municipal of São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - Sep 8, 2025

Porgy and Bess is a famous 'folk opera' created by George Gershwin, with a libretto by DuBose Heyward and lyrics by DuBose and Ira Gershwin. The work chronicles the life of a Black community on Catfish Row in Charleston and is known for its fusion of operatic elements with American folk music, jazz, and blues. The story focuses on the love between Porgy, a disabled beggar, and Bess, a woman seeking a better life.
Review: ANAÏS RENO QUARTET: LADY OF THE LAVENDER MIST at Dizzy's Photo
Review: ANAÏS RENO QUARTET: LADY OF THE LAVENDER MIST at Dizzy's
by Andrew Poretz - Sep 3, 2025

Rising star Anaïs Reno made a fine debut at Dizzy's on August 26th, in celebration of her latest album, 'Lady of the Lavender Mist' with her excellent trio.
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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