· · ·
turning to page one
turning to page one
BLUE MOON · written by Robert Kaplow · 2025
Scene 25 of 26 · ≈ 3 min on screen · 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.
He pays for the truth: White has left, Elizabeth loves Cooper, and her love for Hart is gratitude rather than desire.
Hart meets George, advises the future director to favor friendship stories, and draws Elizabeth aside to hear about Cooper.
Hammerstein honors Hart as the lyricist who liberated American song, but his precocious young protégé punctures the eulogy by calling Hart's work sloppy.
In the coat room, Elizabeth recounts Cooper's rejection, tells Hart she loves him only with respect and gratitude, and raises her mother's belief that his deepest desire is for men.
This scene
Rodgers moves to retrieve his topcoat.
RODGERS
Thank you, Renee.
RENEE
You're very welcome.
RODGERS
Wonderful, thank you so much.
RENEE
Thank you.
HART
Dick! I want to introduce you to my protege! Elizabeth Weiland.
RODGERS
Your protege?
ELIZABETH
Hello.
RODGERS
Hello. Well, you've got yourself a damn good role model there if you can stay away from the bourbon.
HART
She's interested in writing and set design and costumes.
RODGERS
OK, really?
ELIZABETH
Mr. Rodgers? The show tonight? I thought it was magnificent.
RODGERS
Well, thank you--
ELIZABETH
It was as perfect a musical show as I've ever seen.
RODGERS
Well, that's a lovely compliment. Your mother's with the Guild, am I right?
ELIZABETH
Yes, Theresa Weiland.
RODGERS
Yeah, Theresa, yeah. Right, so you've seen a lot of shows.
ELIZABETH
Too many shows.
RODGERS
I know what you mean.
ELIZABETH
But tonight what I saw was what I'd always hoped a show might be. Uplifting. Smart. Magical.
RODGERS
Larry, this is the most perceptive young woman you've ever introduced me to.
ELIZABETH
(re: Larry)
I've had a good teacher.
RODGERS
So what do you write?
ELIZABETH
At this point, poetry mostly.
HART
It's very strong.
RODGERS
And you do set design, too?
ELIZABETH
I'm studying.
RODGERS
Well, I'd love to read some of your poems. See your sketches. This is my--this is my private number.
ELIZABETH
I'm flattered.
HART
I haven't seen Dorothy around. Is your wife here?
RODGERS
No, she's headed back to the apartment--we're all gonna meet up there to look at the late reviews, Larry. Yeah, so I'd love for you to join us, Elizabeth. It'll be refreshing to have someone of the younger generation amongst us. And, maybe, you can explain to me, Elizabeth, why exactly the young girls scream over Sinatra.
ELIZABETH
I don't scream over Sinatra.
HART
No, she screams under Sinatra.
ELIZABETH
OK, Larry!
RODGERS
Larry, of course, you're welcome to come.
HART
I'm gonna try to make it, I'm just throwing a little soiree over at my place; I've got the Golden Gate Quart coming--
RODGERS
(to Elizabeth)
I can't compete with Larry in the soiree department.
ELIZABETH
I'd love to stop over.
RODGERS
You would?
The group that's been around Rodgers has gotten their coats and are at the door.
RODGERS' FRIENDS
Dick, you coming?
RODGERS
Yep, yep.
(to Elizabeth)
Do you have a ride?
HART
You know what, I can take her in a cab later.
RODGERS
We're going right now if you want to come with us?
ELIZABETH
I'd love to.
RODGERS
Great.
ELIZABETH
Just let me inform my mom. The dutiful daughter!
She heads upstairs.
RODGERS
She is--she is so lovely, right? She's really striking. Are you-- are you and she...?
HART
Oh, no, no. I mean, I'm in love with her; but everybody's in love with her. Just not that way.
RODGERS
OK. So we'll see you later on tonight?
HART
Absolutely.
Elizabeth re-enters, dressed to leave.
ELIZABETH
Thank you for everything.
Elizabeth gives Larry a quick kiss.
ELIZABETH (CONT'D)
Mr. Rodgers?
Rodgers extends his arm for her to take.
RODGERS
Miss Weiland?
They move towards the door.
RODGERS (CONT'D)
Thank you.
(to Larry)
And we'll see you later, Larry, right?
Hart opens his arms theatrically. Quotes his own lyric.
HART
"With a song in my heart,
I behold your adorable face!"