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.
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See how Ira Gershwin connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Ira Gershwin from another Broadway star or creative.
Ira Gershwin
Connection
Awards and Nominations
winner
Ira Gershwin, Crazy For You
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Ira Gershwin, Of Thee I Sing
Videos
Video: CRAZY FOR YOU Cast Performs 'I Got Rhythm' at The Goodspeed
by Michael Major - 2026-08-03 12:20:52
Video: 'Shall We Dance?' from CRAZY FOR YOU at Goodspeed Musicals
by Joshua Wright - 2026-07-29 17:06:07
Video: 'Embraceable You' from CRAZY FOR YOU at Goodspeed Musicals
by Joshua Wright - 2026-07-23 17:05:56
Video: 'Slap That Bass' from CRAZY FOR YOU at Goodspeed Musicals
by Joshua Wright - 2026-07-10 10:41:51
Exclusive: Watch Montego Glover Sing Gershwin with the New York Pops
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-02-16 15:00:54
VIDEO: First Look At Hershey Felder in GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE At TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
by Joshua Wright - 2024-02-01 12:50:53
News
by Michael Major - Aug 3, 2026
Goodspeed Musicals shared new footage of its Crazy For You cast tapping through the Gershwin classic 'I Got Rhythm,' the latest clip from the theatre's current production. Watch the video!
by Gregory Fletcher - Aug 1, 2026
Rosie Webber's THE SHOW THAT GOT AWAY on July 30 and 31 featured the songs of Judy Garland and beyond in a sold-out show that marked Webber's New York City debut. Admitting she was terrified but grateful, she called the evening 'a dream come true.'
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 2, 2026
Over the years, Broadway has seen a number of family acts sharing the stage. It’s extra special when family members team up to write a Broadway show together. The Great White Way has seen many instances of this historically, in a variety of different situations. While last week’s column focused on spouses penning shows together, this week is all about blood relatives partnering to write work.
by Joshua Wright - Jul 29, 2026
Goodspeed Musicals shared a new clip of 'Shall We Dance?' from its production of Crazy For You, featuring Will Burton and Brittany Zeinstra in a Gershwin-fueled dance number.
by Joshua Wright - Jul 23, 2026
Get a first look at Goodspeed Musicals' current production of CRAZY FOR YOU as Brittany Zeinstra as Polly performs an an alluring rendition of 'Embraceable You.'
by Stephi Wild - Jul 16, 2026
Single tickets are now on sale for The Soraya's 2026-27 season, a 44-performance lineup featuring eight debuts, including Sutton Foster, Snarky Puppy, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Audra McDonald, and the National Symphony Orchestra.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 14, 2026
Aspire Community Theatre announced plans to stage CRAZY FOR YOU, the classic Gershwin musical, under the direction of Artistic Director Trigger Weddle in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
by Rob Lester - Jul 13, 2026
Old showtunes prove there's life in old-school show tunes when the Pocket Change Combo combines forces with young singers. Terrific Tyler J. Landusky led the combo platter of jazz and Broadway in CURTAINS & CADENZAS at 54 Below.
by Joshua Wright - Jul 10, 2026
A new clip from Goodspeed Musicals' production of CRAZY FOR YOU features the cast performing 'Slap That Bass,' a syncopated number from the Tony Award-winning Gershwin musical comedy.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jul 26, 2026
Over the years, Broadway has seen a number of family acts sharing the stage. It’s extra special when family members team up to write a Broadway show together. The Great White Way has seen many instances of this historically, in a variety of different situations.
by Andrew Poretz - Jun 18, 2026
Sidney Myer was feted by Marilyn Maye, Charles Busch, Nicolas King and dozens more at a joyous sold-out American Popular Song Society Lifetime Achievement Award gala on June 15.
by Claudio Erlichman - Jun 17, 2026
Celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Congregação Israelita Paulista (CIP), Um לugar Para Nós – From Broadway to Brazil premieres on August 16 at Sala São Paulo. Directed by Gustavo Barchilon, this one-night benefit concert brings together leading stars of Brazilian musical theatre, accompanied by the São Paulo Big Band and Orchestra. Through iconic songs from Broadway classics, the production pays tribute to the extraordinary contribution of Jewish composers, lyricists and producers who helped shape American musical theatre, while also honoring the pioneers who introduced the genre to Brazil. Blending music, history and cultural reflection, the event celebrates immigration, diversity and artistic exchange in a moving journey from Broadway to Brazil
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2026
Portland Opera announced its upcoming 2026/27 season, themed 'Driven by Vision,' with full programming details available from the company. Learn more about the season here!
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2026
David Drumgold brings his annual Pride Variety Show back to the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck, NJ, featuring jazz, drag, R&B, and comedy performers including Richard Cortez, Zeta Jones, and pianist Yasuhiko Fukuoka.
by A.A. Cristi - May 18, 2026
Two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominee Michael Feinstein will perform for one night only at ATG San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre, bringing his celebrated Great American Songbook repertoire to the stage.
by A.A. Cristi - May 12, 2026
Goodspeed Musicals announced casting for CRAZY FOR YOU, the Tony Award-winning Gershwin musical comedy, featuring Will Burton and Brittany Zeinstra in the lead roles at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2026
Lyric Arts Company of Anoka has revealed its upcoming season, featuring eight productions including Merrily We Roll Along, Twelve Angry Men, and She Kills Monsters. Season subscriptions and single tickets will go on sale later this year.
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 Steve Murray - Mar 21, 2026
What did our critic think of AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH LUCIE ARNAZ at Feinstein's At The Nikko?
by Gregory Fletcher - Mar 12, 2026
Ben Jones sung 100 Years of the American Songbook in the 3/9 performance of TIMELESS. With the tender intimacy of his singing—balanced by bursts of theatricality and thrilling key changes—Jones holds the audience with him every step of the way.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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).
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.
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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