Nice Work If You Can Get It

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Nice Work If You Can Get It

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  5w, 5m

Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
Book by Joe DiPietro

Inspired by Material by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse

This screwball comedy is a surefire crowd-pleaser, with classic Gershwin tunes, romance, exuberant production numbers, and a hilarious script poking fun at class snobbery in the Prohibition era. 

Image: 2012 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

Nice Work If You Can Get It

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades

  • Winner! Two 2012 Tony Awards
    Nominee: Ten 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical
    Winner! Three 2012 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Book of a Musical

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Also Available
Nice Work If You Can Get It: Teen Edition

Details

Summary

A hilarious new screwball comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It pokes fun at the Prohibition era in a clash of elegant socialites and boorish bootleggers, all set to the glorious songs of George and Ira Gershwin. Highlights from the score include “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Sweet and Low Down,” “Delishious” and the title song.

History
Nice Work If You Can Get It premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on 24 April 2012. Directed by Kathleen Marshall, the production starred Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 1920s
  • Setting

    The Winter family's ritzy Long Island Beach house, 1927.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol

Media

“A bubbly crowdpleaser... a good new old-fashioned musical!” – Variety

“Delishious... a farcical romantic comedy that has more twists than a pretzel and keeps the laughs building to the final curtain.” – The Huffington Post

“[A] frothy Jazz Age cocktail, brewed around a string of evergreen Gershwin tunes.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“Nonstop giddy fun thanks to its dynamic cast, Joe DiPietro’s wickedly funny dialogue, and a treasure trove of timeless Gershwin favorites and rarities.” – amNY

“A lovely, witty diversion... an old-fashioned romp.” – Vulture

“Effervescent... screwball musical comedy meets the sublime songs of George and Ira Gershwin.” – The Sun-Sentinel

“Nice Work provides a welcome break from the troubles of the world, allowing you to get lost in some glorious songs performed by actors who clearly love what they’re doing.” – Herald-Tribune

Photos

  • Nice Work If You Can Get It

    Image: 2012 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

  • Nice Work If You Can Get It

    Image: 2012 Broadway Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

    PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are multiple versions of this title. Before you proceed, please double-check to ensure that you are applying for the version you want. We will not be able to refund rental or shipping fees if you pay for the wrong version. If you’re not sure which version best suits your needs, you may purchase a perusal for each available version.

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Authors

George Gershwin

George Gershwin

George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn on September 26, 1898, and began his musical training when he was 13. At 16, he quit high school to work as a "song plugger" for a music publisher, and soon he was writing songs himself. "Swanee," as introduced by Al Jolson, brought George ...

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Ira Gershwin

Ira Gershwin

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 hi ...

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Joe DiPietro

Joe DiPietro
Joe DiPietro has won two Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award and three Outer Critics Circle Awards. Broadway: Diana (also on Netflix), Nice Work If You Can Get It starring Matthew Broderick and Kelli O'Hara (10 Tony nominations, including Best Book and Best Musical), Memphis (4 T ...
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Guy Bolton

Guy Bolton

Guy Bolton (1884-1979) was born in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England, on November 23, 1884. Bolton famously collaborated with Jerome Kern and P.G. Wodehouse on a series of buoyant musicals for the 299-seat Princess Theatre, including Have A Heart; Oh, Boy!; Leave It To Jane; ...

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P.G. Wodehouse

P.G. Wodehouse

P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) and Guy Bolton (1884-1979) were both born in England. They were introduced by Jerome Kern, and he suggested they all work together. They did, tirelessly, and in the beginning of their collaboration wrote nearly one show per month: the famed Princess ...

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