Of Thee They Sing, Ira
The Daily News - November 1975
By Patricia O'Haire

Dressed in white puttees and shirt, her outrageously red hair pushing out like flames in all directions from under a pitch helmet, Bette Midler looked out over the elegantly dressed audience at Avery Fisher Hall Sunday night and made a confession. "You know," she said, her hand fluttering nervously to her chest, "this has got to be the most tasteful event I've ever been associated with. And you know I know about things like that!"

She was right. Miss M was only one of 18 top-name performers who were appearing in a special tribute to "Mr. Words" - lyricist Ira Gershwin. And the benefit performance (for the American Musical and Dramatic academy and the George Junior Republic) was as elegant and polished as a lyric from that highly literate wordsmith. 

After all, he was the man who put the words to some 700 songs, to tunes written by such greats as Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, Vernon Duke, Sigmund Romberg, Arthur Schwartz, Vincent Youmans and E.Y. Harburg, as well as brother-George. 

You don't fool around with music made by names like that. As for the undue reverence that generally accompanies such occasions, it was happily held at bay. Gershwin's words were treated with the Tender, Loving Care they deserved. Plus wit. Plus charm. 

And the stars were out to sing those words: Elizibeth Ashley, Chita Rivera, Bobby Short, Barbra Cook, John Raitt, Jerry Orbach, Dolores Gray, Anita Ellis, Larry Kent, Kitty Carlisle and others.

For the most part, it worked out beautifully. And the orchestra, directed by Karen Gustafson, sounded fine, indeed.

Ira Gershwin probably would have enjoyed himself at the tribute. His wife was there, but unfortunately, he was not. He lives in California these days and, almost 79, was not well enough to make the trip.

Too bad. Not every guy gets to hear his phrases sung as praises.