On March 31, 1943,
Lorenz Hart slips away from the opening night of
Oklahoma!, the new
Broadway musical his former creative partner
Richard Rodgers has written with
Oscar Hammerstein II. Hart arrives at
Sardi's restaurant, where preparations are underway for the opening night celebration. The newly sober Hart holds court with the bartender, Eddie, who tries not to serve him liquor, and the piano player, Morty, an enlisted sergeant on leave. They commiserate with Hart as he complains about the sensational success of
Oklahoma!, which he declined to write, and the state of his own career. Declaring himself "omnisexual", Hart attempts to flirt with a flower delivery boy and reveals his infatuation with Elizabeth Weiland, a Yale art student and aspiring production designer. After months of correspondence and an unconsummated weekend with the 20-year-old Elizabeth, 47-year-old Hart believes this may be the night he fully wins her love. Elizabeth arrives for the party, where Hart plans to shower her with gifts and even a card trick. Meanwhile, he recognizes
E. B. White sitting nearby, and seeks out his opinions as a fellow writer. Later, Hart intrigues White with the story of a mouse who keeps coming back to his 19th floor apartment. White asks whether he has named the mouse and Hart comes up with "Stuart". White (the future author of
Stuart Little) jots something in his notebook. Arriving with Hammerstein and a crowd of well-wishers, Rodgers pulls Hart aside to suggest collaborating again on a revival of their show
A Connecticut Yankee. Hart pitches his idea for a grand musical about
Marco Polo, but his struggles with alcohol and depression have strained their 24-year partnership. In the restroom, Hart tells Morty the story of his failed proposal to his former muse
Vivienne Segal, who did not love him, or at least "not that way". As rave reviews pour in for
Oklahoma!, Hart tries to congratulate Rodgers, who knows him too well not to recognize his disdain for the show. Despite their friendship, Rodgers remains wary of Hart's drinking and unreliability. It becomes clear that Hart's idea is fueled by his unrequited feelings for Elizabeth. Finding comfort with Eddie in their shared love of
Casablanca, Hart signs an autograph for Elizabeth's friend, the aspiring director
George Roy Hill. Hart swallows his jealousy to congratulate Hammerstein, who is planning
another musical with Rodgers and introduces his young protégé Stevie (whom the closing credits identify as "
Stevie Sondheim"). Hart pulls Elizabeth into the coatroom for a private conversation, as she confides in him about her trysts with a fellow student. Hart is heartbroken to hear that even though the boy has abandoned her, Elizabeth is hopelessly smitten. She explains that she loves Hart, but "not that way", and he is further hurt when she mentions his rumored homosexuality. As promised, Hart introduces Elizabeth to Rodgers, but is dismayed when Rodgers gives her his private number and whisks her away to his own party. Hart prepares to leave. Morty plays Hart's greatest hit,
"Blue Moon", and Hart stays for a drink with Eddie as the staff close the restaurant, regaling them with another story. Seven months later, Hart drunkenly collapses in the street and dies a few days later in the hospital.
Rodgers and Hammerstein become Broadway's greatest partnership. ==Cast==