Musicals by Irving Berlin – The Full List
Irving Berlin was a Tony and Academy Award winning composer and lyricist who is now regarded as a legend in the theatre community. He was also honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Another rare achievement of his was living to the impressive age of 101! You’ll find a full list of the Irving Berlin musicals below, sorted chronologically.
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Musicals by Irving Berlin
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Harry B. Smith
Musical Type: Pre-Jazz Age (1914)
Watch Your Step was Irving Berlin’s first musical, and it premiered on Broadway in 1914. This was also the first time a “Tin Pan Alley” composer entered the Broadway scene with a complete score.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Harry B. Smith
Musical Type: Pre-Jazz Age (1915)
This musical premiered on Broadway in 1915 and ran for a total of 105 performances. It’s also where the popular song “I Love a Piano” had its start.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Music: Victor Herbert Lyrics: Henry Blossom
Musical Type: Pre-Jazz Age (1916)
The Century Girl is a musical revue that had an initial run of over 200 performances. The show made use of comedy and vaudeville, and it was over four hours long!
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Musical Type: Pre-Jazz Age (1918)
While Berlin was serving in the US Army, he wrote and produced Yip Yip Yaphank as a military revue for the soldiers to perform. The show moved to Broadway in 1918.
Music/Lyrics: Various
Musical Type: Revue Series (1907-1957)
Irving Berlin wrote for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1919, 1920, and 1927. His song “A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody” was so popular that it became the theme song for all Ziegfeld revues.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1925)
The Cocoanuts premiered on Broadway in 1925 and was adapted into a film just a few years later. The musical was specifically written for The Marx Brothers as a star vehicle.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Moss Hart
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1932)
Face the Music is a political satire that tried to find humor in the darkness of the depression. This is where the popular song “Let’s Have Another Cup of Coffee” was born.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Moss Hart
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1933)
This revue-style show had a successful run on Broadway in 1933. The musical showcased a series of satirical sketches inspired by newspaper headlines of the time.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Morrie Ryskind
Musical Type: Golden Age (1940)
Louisiana Purchase had its premiere on Broadway and enjoyed a lengthy run with largely positive reviews. The musical also featured the now famous number “It’s a Lovely Day Tomorrow”.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin
Musical Type: Golden Age (1942)
Created as a World War II morale-boosting revue, This Is The Army featured a cast of military personnel. The show was produced by the US Army and raised funds for their Emergency Relief Fund.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Dorothy Fields, Herbert Fields
Musical Type: Golden Age (1946)
This classic musical had a very successful run on Broadway and received a film adaptation in 1950. It’s especially known for the songs “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Anything You Can Do”.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Robert E. Sherwood
Musical Type: Golden Age (1949)
Miss Liberty had a moderately successful run on Broadway with over 300 performances. The reviews were less enthusiastic, but a few popular songs still came out of the show.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse
Musical Type: Golden Age (1950)
Call Me Madam enjoyed a successful run on Broadway while receiving mixed reviews. This was also the musical that earned Irving Berlin a Tony Award for “Best Original Score”.
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1962)
Mr. President ran on Broadway for over 250 performances only to receive lukewarm reviews. The show was attended by president John F. Kennedy, and former president Harry S. Truman. This was Irving Berlin’s last musical.
Post-mortem Berlin Musicals
2000: White Christmas
2011: Top Hat
2014: Holiday Inn
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Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.