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Ira Gershwin

IRA GERSHWIN

  (1896 - 1983)
Nationality:    USA
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC  

Ira Gershwin (December 6, 1896  August 17, 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century

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below is a list of Ira Gershwin's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Ac-Cent-Chuate the Positive         American In Paris, An         American Rhapsody         Babbitt And the Bromide, The         Be Yourself         Crazy For You         Damsel In Distress, A         Firebrand of Florence, The         Girl Crazy         Lady Be Good         Lady In the Dark         Lady, Be Good         Let 'em Eat Cake         My One And Only         Never Gonna Dance         Of thee I Sing         Oh Kay         One For My Baby         Pardon My English         Primrose         Rosalie         Strike Up the Band         Tell Me More         Tip-Toes

Ac-Cent-Chuate the Positive

Synopsis:
songbook show dvoted to the works of Harold arlen

Notes:
book by Mark Rolston; lyrics by Ted Koeler, Yip Harburg, Johnny Mercer, Ira Gershwin And Truman Capote

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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American In Paris, An

Synopsis:
Monumental Pictures, Paris. Michel Girard fails to turn up for the first day's shooting for a new musical. Head of the studio sends his secretary to find him.

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; book by Ken Ludwig

1st Produced:
Alley Theatre, Houston, Texas    2006

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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American Rhapsody

American Rhapsody
-

Notes:
by Mark Nadler; Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin

1st Produced:
Triad, New York    10 Nov 2001

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Studio cast recording: Jessisaraly Music (JSD -0001) 2001

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Babbitt And the Bromide, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin

1st Produced:
New York    1927

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Be Yourself

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Music by Lewis e Gensler And Milton Schwarzwald; lyrics by George S Kaufman, Marc Connelly And Ira Gershwin; book by George S Kaufman And Marc Connelly

1st Produced:
Sam H Harris Theatre, New York    1924

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  11            Female:  21            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Crazy For You

Crazy For You
Setting: New York City and Nevada in the 1930s. Bobby Child the heir of a wealthy banking family is hooked on the theatre. He has been told by his family he must marry Irene but he does not want to. He sent to Deadrock to foreclose a theatre because the mortgage payments are over due. Polly Baker is the daughter of the theatre's owner and she has threatened to see off anyone who comes from the bank. When she meets Bobby it is love at first sight. . .

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; Lyrics by Ira Gershwin; Book by Ken Ludwig; Conceived by Ken Ludwig And Mike Ockrent; Inspired by material by Guy Bolton And John McGowan

1st Produced:
Washington D.C.    1991

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: Capitol: (54618) 1992

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Damsel In Distress, A

Synopsis:
George is an American composer working at the Savoy Theatre in London. Maud is the thoroughly English Lady Marshmoreton, a beautiful socialite who lives in a castle with a ha-ha and a drawbridge. They really shouldn't have met because George needs to complete his musical and Maud needs to marry most urgently, and already has someone totally unsuitable in mind. Luckily Maud's fierce aunt, Lady Caroline, has a solution - she's going to lock her lusty charge in the tower. Uplifting and wildly funny, this musical comedy is a tribute to English love with all its eccentricities. Based on the novel by P.G. Wodehouse, with songs by George and Ira Gershwin, A Damsel in Distress is well-known from the popular 1937 comedy film and features the unforgettable songs Nice Work If You Can Get It, I Can't Be Bothered Now and A Foggy Day (In London Town).

Notes:
Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin; Book by Jeremy Sams and Robert Hudson; Based On The Novel by P.G. Wodehouse and the play By P.G. Wodehouse and Ian Hay

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  12            Female:  8            Other:  ensemble

Further Reference:
-

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Firebrand of Florence, The

Synopsis:
Benvenuto Cellini is about to be executed for the attempted murder of Count Maffio. Right at the last moment he is pardoned by Alessandro, Duke of Florence. the Duke had commissioned and paid for a statue of a nymph and Cellini has not finished it. As he leaves the gallows he is involved in a scuffle with Count Maffio and seemingly kills him

Notes:
Music by Kurt Weill; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; book by Ira Gershwin; edwin Justus Meyer

1st Produced:
Alvin Theatre, New York    22 Mar 1945

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Girl Crazy

Girl Crazy
-

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; book by Guy Bolton; John McGowan

1st Produced:
Alvin Theatre, New York    14 Oct 1930

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Studio cast recording: Columbia (SK 60704) 1951

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lady Be Good

Synopsis:
Setting: Beacon Hill, Rhode Island and eastern Harbor, Connecticut. Dick and Susie Trevor are penniless siblings evicted from their Rhode Island mansion. Dick is determined to many the wealthy Josephine Vandewater in order to return to solvency but Susie is equally determined to save Dick from a loveless marriage by posing as a Spanish widow in order to claim a substantial inheritance.

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; Lyrics by Ira Gershwin; Book by Guy Bolton And Fred Thompson

1st Produced:
Liberty Theatre, NY    1924

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lady In the Dark

Lady In the Dark
Fashion magazine editor, Liza elliott is insecure and undergoing psychoanalysis. She has dreams of being in the circus; a glamour dream and a wedding dream.

Notes:
Music by Kurt Weill; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; book by Moss Hart

1st Produced:
Alvin Theatre, New York    1941

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: aeI (003) 1950

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lady, Be Good

Lady, Be Good
Setting: Beacon Hill, Rhode Island and eastern Harbor, Connecticut. Dick and Susie Trevor are penniless siblings evicted from their Rhode Island mansion. Dick is determined to many the wealthy Josephine Vandewater in order to return to solvency but Susie is equally determined to save Dick from a loveless marriage by posing as a Spanish widow in order to claim a substantial inheritance.

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; Lyrics by Ira Gershwin; Book by Guy Bolton And Fred Thompson

1st Produced:
Liberty Theatre, NY    Dec 1924

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: Smithsonian (R-008) 1924

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Let 'em Eat Cake

Let 'em Eat Cake
the sequel to "Of thee I Sing". President John Wintergreen is ousted and Tweedle Dee becomes president. Wintergreen starts a counter revolution - the Blueshirts and marches on Washington. the new president is in turn ousted and Wintergreen becomes dictator. the White House becomes the Blue House. the League of Nations takes action against him.

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; book by Morrie Ryskind And George S Kaufman

1st Produced:
Imperial Theatre, New York    21 Oct 1933

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Studio cast recording: Sony (42522) 1987

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  13            Female:  7            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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My One And Only

My One And Only
-

Notes:
by Peter Stone with George & Ira Gershwin

1st Produced:
St. James Theatre, NY    01 May 1983

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: Atlantic (80110) 1983

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Never Gonna Dance

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
by Jeffrey Hatcher; Music by Jerome Kern; lyrics by Dorothy Fields, Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach, Johnny Mercer, Ira Gershwin, P G Wodehouse, Jimmy McHugh And edward Laska. Based on the film "Swing Time" RKO Radio.

1st Produced:
-    2003

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Of thee I Sing

Of thee I Sing
John Wintergreen is running for President. His team are trying to come up with a campaign that will get him noticed. they ask the chambermaid at the hotel what she cares about the most and she says; "love". they decide on their campaign - they will hold a beauty pageant to find America's most beautiful woman and the John Wintergreen will marry her.

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; book by Morrie Ryskind And George S Kaufman

1st Produced:
Music Box Theatre, New York    26 Dec 1931

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Revival cast recording: angel (65025) 1952

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Oh Kay

Oh Kay
Setting: In and around Jimmy's house, Beachampton, Long Island

Notes:
Book by Guy Bolton And P. G. Wodehouse; Music by George Gershwin; Lyrics by Ira Gershwin

1st Produced:
Imperial Theatre, New York    08 Nov 1926

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Revival cast recording: DRG (15017) 1960

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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One For My Baby

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Music by Harold Arlen; lyrics by Truman Capote; Ira Gershwin; E Y Harburg; Ted Koehler; Johnny Mercer, Billy Rose; book by Fred Barton

1st Produced:
New 42nd Street Studios, New York    2013

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Pardon My English

Pardon My English
In order to promote the sale of wine and beer the German government ban all non-alcoholic drinks. A Speakeasy opens up selling ginger beer and other non-alcoholic beverages

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; book by Herbert Fields

1st Produced:
Majestic Theatre, New York    20 Jan 1932

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Studio cast: elektra (79338) 1993

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Primrose

Synopsis:
Sir Barnaby insists that his son FrEddie marries his cousin Joan. But FrEddie loves May and his Father will not let him marry her. Joan loves writer Hilary. Hilary is writing an adventure novel about a plucky young girl called Primrose. Toby is engaged to Pinkie - but now has cold feet. He persuades Hilary to pretend to woo Pinkie so that he can catch them and break off the engagement. However, Joan catches Hilary instead.

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Desmond Carter; Ira Gershwin; book by Guy Bolton; George Grossmith Jr

1st Produced:
Winter Garden Theatre, London    11 Sep 1924

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Rosalie

Synopsis:
West Point flyer Lieutenant Dick Fay flies to Romanza to visit the girl he met in Paris - Rosalie. When he discovers that she is a princess he gets angry and leaves for West Point. the King of Romanza - Cyril - has arranged to go to the US to ask for a loan for his country. Rosalie goes with him. She goes to West Point and she and Dick make up. However, Rosalie agrees to marry Captain Karl whose Father is a prince. Dick flies back to Romanza and starts a revolution to divest Rosalie of most of her royal obligations. King Cyril announces that Dick and Rosalie are to wed

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; Sigmund Romberg; lyrics by Ira Gershwin; P G Wodeshouse; book by Guy Bolton; William Anthony McGuire

1st Produced:
New Amsterdam Theatre, New York    1928

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Strike Up the Band

Synopsis:
Owner of the Fletcher American Cheese Co - Horace J Fletcher is outraged when Switzerland imposes tariffs on imported cheeses. He persuades the US government to declare war. Fletcher finances the war and has it named after himself - the Horace J Fletcher Memorial War. He sets sail for europe to conduct the war - but there is a spy in his entourage

Notes:
With Morrie Ryskind. Music: George Gershwin. Lyrics: Ira Gershwin.

1st Produced:
Tines Square Theatre, NY    14 Jan 1930

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Studio cast recording: elektra (79273) 1990

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
2 act musical comedy Musical

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  3            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Tell Me More

Tell Me More
-

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; lyrics by B G DeSylva; Ira Gershwin; book by Fred Thompson; William K Wells

1st Produced:
Winter Garden Theatre, New York    13 Apr 1935

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
New York concert cast: New World (80598-2) 1995

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Tip-Toes

Tip-Toes
Setting: Palm Beach, Florida

Notes:
Music by George Gershwin; Book by Guy Bolton And Fred Thompson; Lyrics by Ira Gershwin

1st Produced:
Liberty Theatre, NY    1925

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Concert cast recording: New World (80598-2) 1998

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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