Ira Gershwin Videos

Today in 1942, the first revival of Porgy and Bess opened at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 286 performances. First performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, it was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Originally conceived by George Gershwin as an 'American folk opera', Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers-a daring artistic choice at the time.

Happy Birthday, Ira Gershwin! A lyricist, Gershwin collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century. With George he wrote more than a dozen Broadway shows, featuring songs such as 'I Got Rhythm', 'Embraceable You', 'The Man I Love' and 'Someone to Watch Over Me'. He was also responsible, along with DuBose Heyward, for the libretto to George's opera Porgy and Bess. The success the brothers had with their collaborative works has often overshadowed the creative role that Ira played. However, his mastery of songwriting continued after the early death of George. He wrote additional hit songs with composers Jerome Kern ('Long Ago (and Far Away)'), Kurt Weill and Harold Arlen.

Below, watch the stunning performance from Broadway's AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, featuring Tony nominated stars Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope.

Today in 1943, Porgy and Bess opened at the 44th Street Theatre, where it ran for 24 performances. First performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, it was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Originally conceived by George Gershwin as an 'American folk opera', Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers-a daring artistic choice at the time.

The journey from the 21st Century back to Hollywood's glamourous golden age is an inspiring one when your "tour guides" are the legendary Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire - portrayed by Darien Crago and Jeremy Benton in Westchester Broadway Theatre's production of Lynnette Barkley and Christopher McGovern's Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Musical, running August 13-September 20.

Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope, stars of The Tony Award-winning new Broadway musical An American in Paris, performed the song 'Liza' on 'LIVE with Kelly and Michael' today.

Caitlyn Jenner has been all over the Big Apple this week, so it comes as no surprise that she hit the Great White Way last night to take in a Broadway show.

MASTERWORKS BROADWAY recently released the Original Broadway Cast Recording of An American in Paris, produced by Rob Fisher and Scott Lehrer. The score of An American in Paris includes the songs 'I Got Rhythm,' 'Liza,' 'S Wonderful,' 'But Not For Me,' 'I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise,' and orchestral music including 'Concerto in F,' 'Second Prelude,' 'Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture' and 'An American In Paris.' Below, we bring you an exclusive, behind-the-scenes video of the company in the recording studio!

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS's Natasha Katz took home the 2015 Tony Award for Best Lighting Design yesterday evening. BroadwayWorld caught up with Katz in the winners' room right after her speech - hear what she had to say below!

Performances begin tonight, May 30, at the Chichester Festival Theatre for a new Gershwin musical, A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS. It officially opens on June 10 and will close June 27. Check out rehearsal footage and interviews with the cast below!

MASTERWORKS BROADWAY releases the Original Broadway Cast Recordingof An American in Paris. Produced by Rob Fisher and Scott Lehrer, the album will be available everywhere on June 2, 2015. The score of An American in Paris includes the songs 'I Got Rhythm,' 'Liza,' 'S Wonderful,' 'But Not For Me,' 'I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise,' and orchestral music including 'Concerto in F,' 'Second Prelude,' 'Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture' and 'An American In Paris.' Below, we bring you a first listen of Jill Paice's rendition of 'Shall We Dance!'

Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a Character Sketch of Adam Hochberg, played by Tony nominee Brandon Uranowitz!

Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a Character Sketch of Milo Davenport, played by Jill Paice!

Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a Character Sketch of Madame Baurel, played by Veanne Cox!

Below, BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you a Character Sketch of Henri Baurel, played by Tony nominee Max von Essen!

Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Broadway World have partnered for filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the union actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. The most recent conversation featured the company of the 12-time Tony nominated An American in Paris of (Christopher Wheeldon, Craig Lucas, Leanne Cope, Max von Essen, Veanne Cox, Brandon Uranowitz and producer Stuart Oken) moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge. Watch below to find out how things are going at the Palace Theatre, how they used their time in Paris to their advantage, and so much more. Check out the full interview below!

The new Broadway musical An American in Paris opened on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, it is inspired by the Academy-Award winning film. An American In Paris brings this classic tale to Broadway for the first time with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by Tony nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Lucas. BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet for the big night and below, you can check out interviews with Patina Miller, Andrew Lippa, Gloria Estefan, Michael Feinstein and more!

The new Broadway musical An American in Paris opened on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, it is inspired by the Academy-Award winning film. An American In Paris brings this classic tale to Broadway for the first time with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by Tony nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Lucas. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on hand for opening night and you can check out what the company had to say after the curtain went down below!

The new Broadway musical AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is now in previews and will open Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Palace Theatre (Broadway at 47th Street). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the newest sizzle reel from the show!

Live From Lincoln Center - the pioneering, award-winning performing arts series - continues its 40th anniversary season with another concert from Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, featuring Norm Lewis: Who Am I? (April 10 on PBS). Song selections include: 'Wouldn't It Be Loverly?' (Music by Frederick Loewe, lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner); 'I Got Plenty o' Nuttin' (Music by George Gershwin, lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin); 'What's Going On' (Renaldo Benson, al Cleveland, and Marvin Gaye); and 'No One Is Alone' (Stephen Sondheim).