Forgotten Musicals - George and Ira Gershwin and Of Thee I Sing
We all know about George Gershwin (born Jacob Gershwine in Brooklyn, New York, on September 26, 1898) who was the second son in the family. He began formal music lessons around age 12–13, left school at 15 to work as a “song plugger” (demonstrating sheet music) in Tin Pan Alley, and quickly transitioned to composing. His breakthrough came with works like Rhapsody in Blue (1924), which fused jazz and classical elements, followed by hits such as An American in Paris and the opera Porgy and Bess.
Ira Gershwin (born Israel Gershovitz in Manhattan on December 6, 1896) was his older brother. He had a talent for light verse and wordplay. Initially using the pen name “Arthur Francis” (combining the names of his younger siblings) to avoid trading on George’s fame, he began collaborating seriously with his brother around 1918–1924. Ira’s witty, sophisticated lyrics perfectly complemented George’s melodic genius, producing standards like “I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”
Of Thee I Sing is little known nowadays, although it stands as a major milestone in their careers and in American musical theatre. It was a satirical political musical with music by George, lyrics by Ira, and a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind.
The show evolved is a sharp critique of political idealism versus corruption and incompetence, featuring a plot centred on a presidential candidate who campaigns on love, announces he will marry the winner of a beauty contest, and navigates absurd scandals and impeachment. It was one of the first musicals with a consistently satirical tone and strong integration of book, music, and lyrics.
The score includes memorable numbers like the title song “Of Thee I Sing,” “Wintergreen for President,” and “Love Is Sweeping the Country.” While not as packed with standalone pop hits as some of their other shows (due to tight integration with the satire), it showcased their maturing style.
George died tragically young on July 11, 1937, at age 38 from a brain tumour.
There is a montage of the songs here: [media=https://youtu.be/FInW3HCY9VU?si=p0A74sGrFgacHJID]
And you can see the whole show here: [media=https://youtu.be/xHkkHeB0a24?si=TESYJtDGUDi5uZdw]
Ira Gershwin (born Israel Gershovitz in Manhattan on December 6, 1896) was his older brother. He had a talent for light verse and wordplay. Initially using the pen name “Arthur Francis” (combining the names of his younger siblings) to avoid trading on George’s fame, he began collaborating seriously with his brother around 1918–1924. Ira’s witty, sophisticated lyrics perfectly complemented George’s melodic genius, producing standards like “I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.”
Of Thee I Sing is little known nowadays, although it stands as a major milestone in their careers and in American musical theatre. It was a satirical political musical with music by George, lyrics by Ira, and a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind.
The show evolved is a sharp critique of political idealism versus corruption and incompetence, featuring a plot centred on a presidential candidate who campaigns on love, announces he will marry the winner of a beauty contest, and navigates absurd scandals and impeachment. It was one of the first musicals with a consistently satirical tone and strong integration of book, music, and lyrics.
The score includes memorable numbers like the title song “Of Thee I Sing,” “Wintergreen for President,” and “Love Is Sweeping the Country.” While not as packed with standalone pop hits as some of their other shows (due to tight integration with the satire), it showcased their maturing style.
George died tragically young on July 11, 1937, at age 38 from a brain tumour.
There is a montage of the songs here: [media=https://youtu.be/FInW3HCY9VU?si=p0A74sGrFgacHJID]
And you can see the whole show here: [media=https://youtu.be/xHkkHeB0a24?si=TESYJtDGUDi5uZdw]
