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BLUE MOON · written by Robert Kaplow · 2025
Scene 8 of 26 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Last scene of act one
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.
A flower delivery lets Hart recruit 'Sven' to his imaginary party, test whether his songs remain famous, and turn his sexuality and failing renown into jokes.
Hart toasts the past, savages Oklahoma! while praising Rodgers' genius, and displays the shabby, ardent gifts he bought for Elizabeth.
Sven returns with lavish flowers for Rodgers; Hart swaps envy for another secret drink and presses Eddie and Morty to hear more about Elizabeth.
This scene
Voices offscreen, and a tall, green-eyed, ethereal-looking YOUNG WOMAN with short, blonde hair enters carrying a garment bag.
HART
Elizabeth!
ELIZABETH
Larry!
He's walking toward her.
HART
My irreplaceable Elizabeth!
ELIZABETH
I'm so happy to see you. Do you like the hair?
HART
I love it. It's much better than the red.
ELIZABETH
I think so.
HART
I mean, I liked the red, too. But this is much more...other-worldly.
ELIZABETH
I have to go set up for the party.
HART
No, no, no – I got you some flowers!
ELIZABETH
Aw, I'm overwhelmed.
HART
Well, I have that effect on people.
ELIZABETH
I have so much to tell you.
HART
Like what?
ELIZABETH
I've been writing in my journal again.
HART
I hope you let me read it.
She takes the card from the smaller vase.
HART (CONT'D)
No, no, no, no, the big one.
She looks at the card in the other, tiny flower vase.
ELIZABETH
And these are what Richard Rodgers is getting? Larry, my mother would die if she saw this. With your permission...
She switches the gift cards, gives Larry a sweet smile.
HART
Permission granted.
ELIZABETH
That guy I told you about?
HART
Cooper.
ELIZABETH
It finally happened.
HART
No!
ELIZABETH
Yes. On my birthday. The night of my 20th birthday. Pretty dramatic actually. You could write a play about it.
HART
A musical.
(title in lights gesture)
He Has Risen.
ELIZABETH
Larry!
HART
It's an Easter musical! It's very religious!
ELIZABETH
Let me clarify by saying it almost happened.
HART
Clarify immediately!
ELIZABETH
I'm gonna tell you the whole story later.
HART
No, I demand to know the shorthand version now.
ELIZABETH
The shorthand version? ...OK...
(picking her words carefully)
The skin on his back was flawless.... Gotta run. You're going to introduce me to Richard Rodgers, right?
HART
Before the evening is over, you're going to get a huge handful of Dick.
ELIZABETH
Larry! You're so vulgar!
She scoops up the small flower vase as if it were an embarrassment; takes her garment bag and heads upstairs to set up the party.
We notice MORE THEATER-GOERS entering the bar.