What happened to Lorenz Hart on the opening night of Oklahoma!?

Lorenz Hart, the former songwriting partner of Richard Rodgers, sat in the balcony of the St. James Theater and watched Rodgers achieve his greatest triumph with the opening of Oklahoma! on Broadway in 1943.

How is Lorenz Hart portrayed in the new film Blue Moon?

Actor Ethan Hawke portrays the 5-foot-tall, balding, and arthritic Lorenz Hart in the film, which focuses on Hart's bitter and drunken evening at Sardi's restaurant as Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II celebrate the success of Oklahoma!.

What was the relationship between Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers?

Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers were once a successful songwriting duo, responsible for standards like "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "My Funny Valentine." However, Hart's serious drinking problem ultimately led to the end of their professional partnership, with Rodgers going on to collaborate with Oscar Hammerstein II instead.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Broadway Legend's Tragic Downfall: Lyricist Lorenz Hart's Final Days Revealed

Broadway Legend's Tragic Downfall: Lyricist Lorenz Hart's Final Days Revealed

15 Oct

•

Summary

Lyricist Lorenz Hart watched his former partner Richard Rodgers' triumph with Oklahoma! in 1943
Hart, a 5-foot-tall, balding, arthritic man, is portrayed by Ethan Hawke in the film
Hart spends the night bitterly complaining and drinking at Sardi's restaurant

Broadway Legend's Tragic Downfall: Lyricist Lorenz Hart's Final Days Revealed

In October 2025, a new film titled Blue Moon sheds light on the tragic final days of legendary Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart. The movie takes place in March 1943, just as Hart's former songwriting partner Richard Rodgers is celebrating the opening night of his hugely successful musical Oklahoma! on Broadway.

Hart, a 5-foot-tall, balding, and arthritic man, is portrayed by actor Ethan Hawke in the film. As Rodgers (played by Andrew Scott) and his collaborator Oscar Hammerstein II (Simon Delaney) bask in the glory of their triumph, Hart has shown up at Sardi's restaurant to drown his sorrows in a bottle of whiskey. Over the course of the evening, Hart bitterly complains to the bartender, yells out requests for his own songs, and alternately flatters and insults Rodgers and Hammerstein.