Veteran pianist-singer Chris Autore celebrated his 80th birthday last June on the heels of his New York solo cabaret debut, Look At Me Now, at Don’t Tell Mama in November 2025. Autore, with show business in his blood, has spent most of his life in it—75 years, beginning with the Horn & Hardart Children’s Hour on NBC TV—and now, as an octogenarian 
he’s powering on, keeping the celebration going at the Palace Theater in his hometown of Waterbury, Connecticut.
The show, scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, features a mix of pop and Broadway hits, backed by a three-piece band: Lynn Portas (piano), John Mobilio (bass) and Tom Devino (drums). Learn more here.
NiteLife Exchange (NLE) asks Chris Autore (CA) Six Questions:
NLE: You’ve recently marked two extraordinary milestones: your 80th birthday and 75 years in show business. How did those milestones inspire Look at Me Now, your New York solo cabaret debut at Don’t Tell Mama? And what did it mean to you to bring that show to one of cabaret’s most iconic venues?
CA: After the passing of my mother, I transported the majority of my music memorabilia and old records from her residence to my home in Florida. For approximately 16 years, these items remained stored away until one day, I opened a drawer and discovered my photograph in the 1951 TV Guide. This prompted me to 
ponder whether anyone would be interested in my remarkable experiences as a child star alongside numerous movie icons. Consequently, I decided to share my story in New York, where I interviewed three directors. Ultimately, I found a wonderful rapport with Geoff Stoner, my director, and it was unanimously agreed that my story will be told. It was exhilarating to present my show at the renowned Don’t Tell Mama. Sidney Myer graciously took the time to extend a personal welcome to me.
NLE: You were born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and began your career at just five years old on the Horn & Hardart Children’s Hour, broadcast from NBC Studios in Manhattan. After such an early start in New York, what led you away from performing there for so many years, and what ultimately brought you back?
CA: Well, when the Horn & Hardart Children’s Hour ended in 1952, my mother mentioned that the combination of learning, stress and travel became excessive. Still, I never abandoned my passion for singing and playing the piano. When I was 11, I yearned to return to show business, which inspired me to launch my own dance school at 16. And for 57 years, 
I spent my nights singing and performing piano music in lounges and hotels from CT, NY and Jersey.
NLE: Look at Me Now weaves together songs and stories from throughout your life. How did you choose the repertoire? And what has it been like to revisit these songs through the perspective of a lifetime of experience?
CA: The process of writing the show spanned approximately six months. Reflecting on my life through memory was relatively straightforward, as music has always served as a marker of time for me. Consequently, I have never lost track of the songs that influenced my life and the specific periods during which these events took place. Reflecting on the period from 1950 to the present has been remarkable. I cherished every moment of this journey, and narrating the story through music was exhilarating. Additionally, witnessing the New York audience’s reaction to this performance was truly captivating.
NLE: You’ve performed Look at Me Now for audiences in New York and Florida, 
and will soon bring the show to Connecticut. How does each cabaret community shape your performance? Do you find that audiences in different places respond differently or connect with different aspects of the show?
CA: Absolutely! I have presented Look at Me Now five times, and each performance possesses its own distinct qualities. While the show remains consistent, the audiences differ. Each audience is one-of-a-kind. Every performance has its own character. This variety ensures that the experience remains invigorating and thrilling, as you can never predict what will occur or who will be in attendance. In Connecticut, the performance will take place in my hometown of Waterbury at the Palace Theater. A full circle moment as I sang on that very stage 75 years ago and now I’m coming home. The audience will comprise school friends, family members, fans, former dance students who are now adults, and numerous acquaintances from the past 75 years. Additionally, my pianist from 1950, who is now celebrating 92 years of age, will also be present with her entire family. This 
specific show guarantees to be an exciting experience for me.
NLE: Over the course of 75 years, you’ve performed music in many styles and settings. Which songs or musical traditions have stayed closest to your heart, and what continues to sustain and inspire you as a performer?
CA: The songs that stay closest to my heart are those that my grandmother sang to me as a child and those songs that were my mom and dad‘s favorites. I never grow weary of any song that I sing. My passion for music spans from my childhood to the present, encompassing all the pieces I have ever performed and as a musician, I continue to showcase a repertoire of thousands of songs, reflecting the extensive nature of my library.
NLE: After an extraordinary career and these recent milestone performances, what excites you most about what’s ahead? What projects are you working on now, and what can audiences look forward to seeing from you next?
CA: What excites me the most is the moment I stand on that stage in complete silence, knowing that my audience is fully engaged with every note I sing. I truly cherish this experience. I felt a rebirth when I transitioned from nightclubs to cabaret shows. Each performance enriches me, fueling my desire to perform every night. Looking forward, you can anticipate a brand new show that I am currently writing, where I will be seated at the piano, delivering a performance featuring some of my favorite music from over the years, including pieces that are rarely performed in an intimate setting. It will be titled An Evening With Chris Autore.
