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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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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.

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

Lyricist
Music & Lyrics
Lyricist
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Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
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Composer/Lyricist
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Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
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Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
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Lyricist
Lyricist
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Lyricist
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Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
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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

News


ALL EYES ON: LAINIE KAZAN Richard Jay-Alexander Shares His Chat and Visit With The Iconic Star As She Celebrates Her 85th Birthday
by Richard Jay-Alexander - May 15, 2025

Ms. Kazan was on my radar for as long as I can remember when I started to get interested in theatre, music and show business and had “secret” subscriptions to magazines that focused on those passions.
South Coast Repertory Reveals 2025/26 Season
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2025

South Coast Repertory has announced its 2025-26 season, featuring the return of Million Dollar Quartet, the milestone 45th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and more.
Spotlight: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at JCC CenterStage
by BWW Special Offer - May 7, 2025

An American in Paris - A New Gershwin Musical at JCC CenterStage
Library of Congress to Host Conference on Women in Musical Theater with Shaina Taub, Jeanine Tesori, & More
by Josh Sharpe - May 1, 2025

The Library of Congress will host “StageStruck! VI: Women and the American Musical,” a free three-day conference May 14-16 featuring Jeanine Tesori, Shaina Taub, Helen Park, Julie Taymor, Camille A. Brown, and Marjuan Canady.
Penn State To Present Premiere Of TRUE CRIME FRANKENSTEIN
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 30, 2025

Penn State will present the premiere production of the musical True Crime Frankenstein or the Modern, Modern Prometheus June 12-15 in the Penn State Downtown Theatre.
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS to Screen at Jaffrey’s Park Theatre
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 8, 2025

An American in Paris will be shown on The Park Theatre’s Big Screen, Saturday, April 26, at 7 pm. Winner of 6 Oscars, the film is a glorious, Technicolor paean to the golden age of the Hollywood musical. 
Irvine Barclay Theatre Celebrates 35th Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2025

 Irvine Barclay Theatre, one of Orange County’s top performing arts venues, will kick off its 35th season of bringing top-tier artists to Southern California with a community celebration of music and dance.
Cast Set For THE CRUCIBLE at Shakespeare's Globe
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2025

Shakespeare’s Globe has announced the cast of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, directed by Ola Ince. The Crucible is the first modern classic to be staged at the Globe Theatre.
Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Iconic Plays That Shaped American Theater
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 30, 2025

The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is one of the most prestigious honors in American theater, celebrating outstanding works that have made a significant impact on the stage. Here's a closer look at what the Pulitzer Prize for Drama is, how it works, and why it matters.
Lorna Dallas Will Perform Encore of SNAPSHOTS at Chelsea Table + Stage
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2025

Lorna Dallas will return to Chelsea Table + Stage for an encore performance of her all-new show in ”Snapshots”, her latest collection of musical memories. The debut of the show this past fall was welcomed with glorious acclaim.
RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR and More Set for Writers Theatre 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Writers Theatre has revealed its 2025/26 season. The five-play season is marked by four productions never seen before in Chicago and two add-on special engagements.  
Charter Oak Cultural Center and Congregation Beth Israel Present A JEWISH JOURNEY THROUGH BROADWAY: Part 1
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 6, 2025

Charter Oak Cultural Center and Congregation Beth Israel has announced a one-night-only performance of A Jewish Journey Through Broadway: Part 1 (1920-1980). This cabaret-style concert will feature songs by Jewish giants of the musical theatre including songs by Sondheim, Bernstein, Gershwin, Kern, and more performed by an accomplished cast.
Exploring Theater Events: Musicals, Plays, Operas, and More
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 4, 2025

Discover the rich tapestry of theatrical performances, from classic plays and musicals to operas and ballets, as we delve into the evolution and variety of theater events that captivate audiences worldwide.
Review: Tony Award Winner Sutton Foster Returns to the OC at Irvine Barclay
by Michael Quintos - Mar 3, 2025

Fresh off her final set of performances in the L.A. transfer of the new Broadway revival of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, the two-time Tony Award winning stage and screen star recently returned to Orange County, CA for a one-night-only sold out concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre accompanied by music director Michael Rafter. Foster dazzled the audience with selections that ranged from traditional showtunes to classic pop hits and even a lullaby or two inspired by her daughter Emily.
CRAZY FOR YOU is Now Playing at Broadway Palm
by Stephi Wild - Feb 27, 2025

Get ready to be swept off your feet as Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Crazy for You, running now through April 5, 2025.
ONE FOR MY BABY Comes to All Roads Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Feb 18, 2025

All Roads Theatre Company’s 2025 Season will kick off with the World Premiere musical ONE FOR MY BABY next month. Learn more about the upcoming show and how to get tickets here!
Ute Lemper Celebrates Kurt Weill's 125th Birthday with New Album
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2025

In honor of revolutionary composer Kurt Weill’s 125th birthday this year, acclaimed singer & actress Ute Lemper has announced her new album, Pirate Jenny.
Review: PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES at Strathmore
by Mary Lincer - Feb 7, 2025

In the late 1960s (in her late 60s), cabaret étoile Mabel Mercer added the utterly goofy 'Wait 'til We're 65' (by Lerner & Lane) to her sets; when she was well past 50, Barbara Cook began including Harper & Zippel's wildly funny 'The Ingenue' to her shows, simultaneously sending up her rivals and ageism.
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN Comes to Riverside Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 6, 2025

Riverside Theatre has announced the Golden Era film turned stage musical Singin’ in the Rain as the next production of the 2024-2025 season on the Stark Stage.
Hershey Felder Will Bring RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR to South Coast Repertory
by Stephi Wild - Feb 5, 2025

South Coast Repertory and HFP LIVE will present pianist/actor/playwright/producer Hershey Felder, for a strictly limited engagement of Rachmaninoff and the Tsar.

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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