Final answer:
The statement about George and Ira Gershwin is false; they were brothers, not cousins, and were celebrated songwriters for Broadway musicals during a time when America needed uplifting entertainment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that George and Ira Gershwin were cousins who became famous for writing Broadway musicals is false. George and Ira Gershwin were, in fact, brothers and not cousins.
They were a highly successful American songwriting team who created some of the most memorable music for Broadway as well as classical pieces in the early to mid-20th century.
Their first major hit musical, 'Of Thee I Sing', made history by becoming the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The Gershwin brothers significantly contributed to the Great American Songbook, with memorable productions during a time when America was facing the Great Depression and World War II.
They provided escapism and joy through their music in a period when people were in dire need of it.
As prominent figures in the arts, George and Ira Gershwin's work was an integral part of the Golden Age of Broadway and they left a lasting legacy on the world of musical theatre and beyond.
George's compositions and Ira's lyrics have stood the test of time, with classics like 'Porgy and Bess', 'An American in Paris', and many other works cementing their status as icons of American music.