Plot
On March 31, 1943, Lorenz Hart slips away from the opening night of Oklahoma! , the new hit 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 talkative, cynical, and newly sober Hart holds court with the bartender Eddie, who tries not to serve him liquor, and enlisted piano player Morty. 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 is the night to fully win 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, who reveals that he's working on a first novel, for children. Later, Hart intrigues White with the story of a mouse who keeps coming back to his 19th floor apartment. White asks if he'd named the mouse and Hart comes up with "Stuart," White even wanting to know if that's with a 'u' or a 'w', thus suggesting that the famed lyricist also inspired a famous title character's name.
Arriving with Hammerstein and a crowd of well-wishers, Rodgers pulls Hart aside to suggest collaborating again on a revival of one of their earlier shows. Hart pitches his idea for a grand musical about Marco Polo, but his struggles with alcohol and depression have strained their songwriting partnership of over twenty years. In the restroom, Hart tells Morty the story of his failed proposal to his former muse, who did not love him "in 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 his old partner's drinking and unreliable ways, as it becomes clear that Hart's new idea is fueled by his unrequited feelings for Elizabeth. Finding comfort with Eddie in their mutual love of Casablanca, Hart signs an autograph for Elizabeth's friend, an aspiring director. Hart swallows his jealousy to congratulate Hammerstein, who is planning another musical with Rodgers and introduces his critical young protégé.
Hart pulls Elizabeth into the coat room for more intimate 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 does not love Hart "in that way", and he is further hurt when she mentions his semi-closeted reputation. As promised, Hart introduces Elizabeth to his former partner, but is dismayed when Rodgers gives her his private number and whisks her away to his own party.
The lonely Hart prepares to leave as Morty plays one of his greatest hits, but stays for a drink with Eddie as the staff close the restaurant, regaling them with yet another of his stories. Seven months later, Hart drunkenly collapses in the street and soon dies, while Rodgers and Hammerstein go on to become Broadway's greatest partnership.
