Ira Gershwin Headshot

Ira Gershwin

Also Credited As: Arthur Francis

Date of Death: August 17, 1983 (86)

Birth Place: New York, NY

Get Ira Gershwin Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Ira Gershwin 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.

Ira Gershwin 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
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Sketches/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist

Ira Gershwin 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

Ira Gershwin Videos

Ira Gershwin News


Concord Theatricals Titles Now Available on BroadwayWorld Stage Mag With New Partnership


BroadwayWorld and Concord Theatricals announced today a new partnership extending BroadwayWorld’s Stage Mag online show program technology to their entire catalog of titles, including the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection, The Rodgers and Hammerstein collection, Samuel French titles, and the Tams-Witmark collection.

Review: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at CVRep


When a successful theatre company presents a period musical they pray for a hit. With good actors, a witty script, great music, excellent direction, and clever choreography that can transport an entire audience back in time; Coachella Valley Repertory has compiled such a hit.

Review: Patti LuPone Splendidly Sings of A LIFE IN NOTES


In the past few years, Patti LuPone has resigned from Actor’s Equity Association and suspended her legendary Broadway career, but as she proved with her Celebrity Series of Boston performance at Symphony Hall on April 2, the three-time Tony Award winner can still command a concert stage.

Noah Haidu Celebrates STANDARDS II At Brooklyn Conservatory Of Music In April


Pianist Noah Haidu will celebrate the release of Standards II, the follow-up to his acclaimed 2023 Standards, with an album release concert on Friday, April 19 at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

Klea Blackhurst to Present THE BOX SET Series at Chelsea Table + Stage


CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, BEAUTIFUL, and More Set For Geva Theatre's 2024-25 Season


Geva Theatre has announced its 24/25 Season, kicking off this September. Learn more about the full lineup here!

BWW Q&A: Rob Fisher on SWEENEY TODD at Virginia Arts Festival


Virginia Arts Festival has cast one of Broadway’s leading lights in the role of a new, key position at the Festival: The Goode Family Artistic Advisor for Musical Theater and American Songbook.

Megan Sikora to Star as Ethel Merman in MERMAN Developmental Reading


The York Theatre Company will present a developmental reading of Merman. Learn more about the reading!

Michael Feinstein In To Star In RAINBOW: THE NEW JUDY GARLAND MUSICAL  at the Mark Taper Forum


Experience the magic of Judy Garland's music anew with RAINBOW: THE NEW JUDY GARLAND MUSICAL, featuring Michael Feinstein at the Mark Taper Forum.

Lainie Kazan's Four Classic 60s Albums Available for the First Time in Almost 60 Years


Available for the first time in the nearly 60 years since they were introduced, the four 1960s vocal albums from Lainie Kazan are now streaming on all digital platforms.

CRAZY FOR YOU to be Presented at Nazareth University Arts Center


Experience the magic of George and Ira Gershwin's classic music in CRAZY FOR YOU at Nazareth University Arts Center in April. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Immersive A GAGA GUIDE TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE To Return This Spring


After a 7-month run last year, Spin Cycle will present the return of A GAGA GUIDE TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE. Learn more about the experience!

Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert MY FAVORITE THINGS Will Be Available to Stream in the US


My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be available to stream on-demand in North America from Sunday, March 24 through Sunday, March 31, 2024. We have all of the details on how you can watch from home!

Billy Porter And More To Celebrate Elton John And Bernie Taupin Receiving The Gershwin Prize In All-Star Tribute


Join the celebration as Elton John and Bernie Taupin receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. The lineup includes performances by Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Metallica, and Billy Porter.

George Gershwin's First Musical Rediscovered After Nearly A Century


George Gershwin's long-lost first musical has been unearthed by a Michigan researcher after almost a century.

Exclusive: Watch Montego Glover Sing Gershwin with the New York Pops


In this video, watch as Montego Glover joins the the New York Pops to perform music by the Gershwins.

MasterVoices Continues Season With the New York City Premiere of TO MY ARMS / RESTORE


MasterVoices continues its 2023-24 season on March 22-23 at NYU Skirball with the New York City Premiere of Varone’s To My Arms / Restore.

Review: The New York Pops Honored Gershwin with A CENTURY OF RHAPSODY IN BLUE at Carnegie


On Friday February 9, 2024, the New York Pops paid tribute to Gershwin’s music on the occasion of the near 100-year anniversary of “Rhapsody in Blue” (it officially hits 100 today, on February 12). Guest vocalist Montego Glover and the 78-piece New York Pops orchestra were a delight to watch.

Photos: Go Inside GERSHWIN: A CENTURY OF RHAPSODY IN BLUE with Montego Glover and The New York Pops


Check out photos from The New York Pops's celebration of the centennial of Gershwin’s masterpiece Rhapsody in Blue here!

Ira Gershwin 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.

Get Ira Gershwin Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos