Our Broadway Heritage – March 30, 2025 Featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin
The Jazz Age, a period of cultural transformation in the 1920s and 1930s, brought new energy to American music, theatre, and art. At the heart of this revolution were George and Ira Gershwin, a sibling duo whose contributions to musical theatre left an indelible mark on the genre and solidified their legacy as pioneers of the American Songbook.
The Gershwin brothers collaborated on numerous groundbreaking shows that redefined Broadway. Their 1930 production Girl Crazy introduced hits like “I Got Rhythm,” a song that encapsulates the infectious energy of the Jazz Age. Another landmark production was Of Thee I Sing (1931), the first musical to win a Pulitzer Prize, notable for its satirical approach to American politics and culture.
Their most ambitious work, Porgy and Bess (1935), was a “folk opera” that blended classical elements with jazz and blues. Set in an African American community in South Carolina, it addressed themes of love, struggle, and resilience. Songs like “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So” became instant classics. Although controversial at the time for its depiction of race, Porgy and Bess is now hailed as one of the greatest American musical works of the 20th century.
The Gershwins’ contributions to musical theatre extended beyond their memorable songs. They pushed artistic boundaries and brought jazz—a distinctly American genre—to the forefront of popular and theatrical music. Their work bridged the gap between “high” and “low” art, demonstrating that musicals could be both entertaining and intellectually rich.
The Madrigal Choir performs excerpt from Porgy and Bess and “GERSHWIN! A Concert Panorama” that highlights many other of their songs at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM.