A well known publicist around town, Scott Gorenstein, is Liza Minnelli's number one fan and he has the sequin burn to prove it. Scotty lives, breathes, and eats Liza, and if you so much as say an unenthusiastic word about her, he'll make sure you die a quicker death than Elsie. (If you just said "Who's Elsie?", you probably shouldn't even be reading this. No, really!) Well, I recently rang them bells and coaxed Scotty to come to the cabaret—or at least the blog—and start spreading the news about why he adores the woman more than life itself. And so:
MM: Why are you so obsessed with Liza?
SG: Because her talent ignites something in me that I have never understood as it is so basic to my being. That said, Liza has given some of the greatest performances of all time. I always tell people who only know her from the tabloids, "There's a reason she's a legend. Go watch Liza with a Z or rent Cabaret. It's all right there."
MM: Do you think she's relevant to the young generation?
SG: She's relevant to anybody who is seeking greatness. At the end of the day she's standing alone up there--just her and a microphone in front of an orchestra. There are no bells and whistles other than her god-given talent. I love a Madonna concert just as much as the next guy, but there is something to be said for somebody who can get up and cause a frenzy just by opening up their mouth and singing.
MM: And singing and singing. What is the ultimate Liza moment that you've witnessed?
SG: Luckily I have experienced many great moments with Liza both onstage and off. I've escorted her through Times Square, hugged her when she lost her voice, and told her point blank that as a huge fan I will never abandon her. One of the standout moments, however, was at Fred Ebb's memorial service in December of 2004. For those who don't know, Ebb, along with John Kander, was Liza's songwriter and he was very close to Liza personally. She has said there would have been no her if not for him. And she's right. It was a typical Broadway midday memorial. Lots of great stars of the stage came out to sing Kander and Ebb tunes. As she was their greatest creation, she came out last and sang two songs they had written for her: "The World Goes Round" and "New York, New York." She wasn't even in the best voice that day, but it didn't matter. All of the Minnelli magic was in full bloom and I nearly lost my mind. Sometimes, however, my favorite part of the concert is just watching her walk on stage. A great star taking the stage to the sound of their fans' ovation is a sight to behold.
MM: As for the darker side: Your thoughts on the David Gest years? And her 1988 bomb Rent-a-Cop?
SG: David Gest? Who cares?! Her life has been long and full of triumphs. Did she make a mistake? Of course, but it was long ago. She's moved on and has given many amazing performances since then. As for Rent-a-Cop? Its unfortunate that Hollywood wasn't able to present her with better properties to choose along the way. But the few clunkers haven't sullied her legend.
MM: All right, I'll return it to Kim's. And finally: Your message to Liza?
SG: Oh, dear...where do I start? I love you? I've told her that many times. And Liza doesn't need anybody to tell her to keep on keeping on. She knows how to do that better than most people. While she may have fallen along the way, she has always picked herself up and gotten right back where she belongs--on stage. It is where she was born to be and I hope to always be in the front row shouting "You're the greatest!"
Comments (18)
l.m. says:
That was a really terrific, absolutely true story!
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 20 2008 @ 9:38AM
Jonster says:
... with whom I shared four sordid rooms in Chelsea...
She was genius in Liza with a Z. I was in the audience at the Winter Garden and that show remains the best of the best. I lost interest when she couldn't make it thru 30 days without drinking when she subbed for Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria - I bought tkts for a huge Liza fan who immediately flew in from AZ and got the shaft.
She's a member of the lucky sperm club who inherited all the talent and all the tragedy. (And all the gay husbands...)
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 20 2008 @ 11:01AM
Michael says:
as one of his oldest friends I have heard every word above uttered from his mouth on numerous occasions. musto just had the brilliance to finally write it down.
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 20 2008 @ 11:52AM
Martha says:
SUPER LIZA!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFNHVA4_SVc
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 20 2008 @ 12:09PM
Rick Wernsing says:
I am grateful that Scott Gorenstein has introduced me to Liza's music and the music of some many other wonderful people. He too seems to be a star in his own right.
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 20 2008 @ 12:49PM
Emily says:
What a great interview. SG is spot on about Liza. A true legend. I hope she knows how devoted he is.
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 20 2008 @ 1:45PM
Vagino says:
I'm not particularly interested in defending Ms Minnelli (the daughter, that is). But Michael dear, if we're going to use Rent-a-Cop as a rod, er staff, er cudgel, why don't we point out the other queer icons who boarded that ill-fated jaunt, to wit: Burt Reynolds, Robby Benson, Dionne Warwick. I even looked up the filmographies of the other cast and crew members and saw such exotic titles as The Paul Lynde Show, Brian's Song, Cleopatra Jones, Cruising....
Maybe this was a lost moment when stars weren't obliged to be as predictable as they are now. Or just as likely, when being an Oscar-winning descendant of celebrity royalty didn't exempt one from the specter of hunger, hence the need to indulge in a few potboilers. But hey, Judy Garland did nothing but Hollywood potboilers, some bigger budgeted than others, and we're all the better for it, right? Right? Oh why do I sound desperate when I most need to be confident.
Posted On: Wednesday, Aug. 20 2008 @ 1:49PM
scruffy says:
My Minnelli moment - She came to Le Bilboquet, a chic bar in Paris,the night she before she would appear at the Olympia. I was playing bass. She felt like singing. She dedicated "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face" to her handsome young escort. It was like you had never heard this song before in your life and Liza was speaking from her heart. This is a great musician.
Posted On: Thursday, Aug. 21 2008 @ 2:30AM
eric weissman says:
scott gorenstein is of course a great star in his own right, a p r geniuswho has worked with the likes of carol channing & mandy patamkin who fired scott but i digress. i met scotty many years ago as i was telling celebrity stories out side of the original expresso bar on christopher st, as a former owner of the infamous rounds i knew of many celebrities who came in 4 a cocktail and to oogal the boys. someone stopped me in the middle of a liza story and sid he had to call a friend, that was scotty and i am proud to say we have been bussom buddies ever since long live liza long live scott gorenstein. long live michael musto
Posted On: Thursday, Aug. 21 2008 @ 1:47PM
Kate says:
Mr. Scott Gorenstein is, in the words of David Sedaris' mother, "a free spirit, and we're lucky to have him!"
Great article. Thanks!
Posted On: Friday, Aug. 22 2008 @ 7:03PM
Batman says:
Without fans like Gorenstein, who honor and encourage great talents, the lives of celebrities would be barren. He is truly an ultra-fan.
It's unfortunate that more fans do not cherish the gift that great talents bring to their world the way Gorenstein does with Liza.
Posted On: Thursday, Aug. 28 2008 @ 10:30AM
Caleb says:
It was the weekend. The skies were cloudy, and the gym nearly empty. Strangely, I was feeling as bold as the Equal loaded Komodo I had just ingested. "Should I ask?", I thought. My rib cage fought to keep my heart confined. "No. He'll probably eat my flesh." Just then, caffeine in the form of courage reared its head. The question, "What's so great about Liza?",escaped my lips. Silence... More silence. I felt a slight shake in the floor beneath me. "Earthquake?", I pondered. Interrupting my thoughts, a beam of light encased my dear friend. His eyes became a soft fire, and his skin a glistening gold. He reached out to grasp my head. As his hands tightened, I began to see. Alpha to Omega. Conception, to inevitable death. I saw greatness that day. A connection unlike any I've witnessed.
A career such as Liza's yields money and fame- all of which will pass in time. But fans,for lack of a better word, such as Scott don't succumb to time. They become synonymous to the name that knows no age. A connection only few will ever know. A connection that I've been blessed to witness.
Love the article.
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 14 2009 @ 10:39PM
the witness says:
It was the weekend. The skies were cloudy, and the building nearly empty. Strangely, I was feeling as bold as the Equal loaded Komodo I had just ingested. "Should I ask?", I thought. My rib cage fought to keep my heart confined. "No. He'll probably eat my flesh." Just then, caffeine in the form of courage reared its head. The question, "What's so great about Liza?",escaped my lips. Silence... More silence. I felt a slight shake in the floor beneath me. "Earthquake?", I pondered. Interrupting my thoughts, a beam of light encased my dear friend. His eyes became a soft fire, and his skin a glistening gold. He reached out to grasp my head. As his hands tightened, I began to see. Alpha to Omega. Conception, to inevitable death. I saw greatness that day. A connection unlike any I've witnessed.
A career such as Liza's yields money and fame- all of which will pass in time. But fans,for lack of a better word, such as Scott don't succumb to time. They become synonymous to the name that knows no age. A connection only few will ever know. A connection that I've been blessed to witness.
Love the article.
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 14 2009 @ 10:41PM
fish-oil says:
I found a web site is China that sells those fish oil capsules that take care of the fatty acids. I am not sure that they are safe to eat but I am tempted by the cost. Any suggestion how to have better control over the food safety of my diet supplements?
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 16 2010 @ 8:29AM
Concert Tickets says:
Liza is great, A friend of mine did that number at GBS v-show. Check it out, type in Carolyn MIller Ring them bells, You won't be disapointed.
Posted On: Wednesday, Mar. 3 2010 @ 1:49PM
Willie Mckey says:
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Posted On: Friday, Mar. 26 2010 @ 9:40PM
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Posted On: Thursday, May. 27 2010 @ 3:57PM
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Posted On: Friday, Jun. 11 2010 @ 3:25PM
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