Today’s dive down a rabbit hole was inspired by Rodger and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, of all things. Oklahoma! is the backdrop for Richard Linklater’s movie about Lorenz Hart, Blue Moon, which takes place at Sardi’s on the night of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical’s premiere. This article in Smithsonian Magazine explores the back story of the musical and Lynn Riggs’ play, Green Grow the Lilacs, that it was based on. It turns out that there are significant links between the musical and gay history, as well as a connection to Hollywood in the 1930s.

Behind "Oklahoma!" lies the remarkable story of gay Cherokee playwright Lynn Riggs