· · ·
turning to page one
turning to page one
BLUE MOON · written by Robert Kaplow · 2025
Scene 21 of 26 · ≈ 1 min on screen · First scene of act three
On the opening night of Oklahoma!, lyricist Lorenz Hart drinks through Sardi's while chasing one last renewal with Richard Rodgers and the young woman he adores, but both are already moving beyond him.
Hart leaves the show that displaced him for his Sardi's habitat, where wit and remembered greatness keep fear at bay.
Hart needs Elizabeth to choose him and Rodgers to need him, while drink offers the quicker form of consolation.
He admits White into his private mythology and steps into the Oklahoma! celebration to confront the people he cannot keep.
Hart pitches a grand future, hunts for artistic validation, and retreats through drink and old stories when Rodgers resists.
Hart gets Rodgers' love and the offer of a small reunion, along with the unsparing terms that make it impossible for him.
In the men's room, Hart detains Morty with memories of Pal Joey's reviews and Vivienne Segal's tender but decisive rejection.
The Times review crowns Oklahoma! near perfection; Hart applauds, then urgently draws Rodgers aside for a private farewell disguised as congratulations.
Hart and Rodgers recall their first hit, then clash over sentiment, Hart's drinking and absences, and whether affection can preserve a partnership Rodgers has outgrown.
This scene
Hart drifts back to main bar.
The crowd has largely moved upstairs to the party room.
MAIN BAR AREA
HART
What happened to White?
EDDIE
Left.
HART
"So soon?"
HART (CONT'D)
There was so much more I wanted to say to him.
EDDIE
Maybe he was an extra, too.
HART
(re: his shot glass)
One more.
EDDIE
Last one, Larry.
Hart sits back at bar.
HART
(to Morty)
Do you know the ineffectual blues?... That's because I haven't written it yet.
(to Eddie)
They should put my picture on that bottle. "The Whiskey That Made Lorenz Hart Unemployable. Buy War Bonds."
(to Morty)
You know, I've started to hear things wrong. The other night I was listening to this singer go on about "her cigarette heart." And I thought: now that is an original metaphor: my cigarette heart. Then I realized she was singing "my secret heart."
(back to Eddie)
I can't remember anything anymore either. That should be the title of my autobiography: Stop Me If I've Told You This Already. And we'll print the entire text twice.
Elizabeth's laughter is heard as she descends the stairs.
Larry looks over to see her in a beautiful evening gown.
She's breathless, exhilarated, holding a glass of red wine, laughing and talking with a GEORGE ROY HILL.
ELIZABETH
No, I'm serious. I've seen her do it before.
GEORGE ROY HILL
As long as there's no dancing later on in the night.
ELIZABETH
You better watch yourself--