How it all started...

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It's been over 10 years now since the St.Elizabeth's Dads Night Show started and it's a true testament to the man who was our Leader, Engine and Creative Director, TJ Sullivan. 

It was about 12 years ago when the idea for a SES “Dads Night” was sketched out on the back of a napkin. TJ loved the idea of having the Dads of St. E's get together and put on a great show for the kids, no matter how silly they looked.  It was, and is, a tremendous amount of work to put on a performance rivaling the best of Broadway…and that calls for an outstanding “Director” and “Creative Genius” to supplement TJ’s creative prowess. A person we all have grown to love and hate - Mr. John O’Brien. Who by the way is not even an SES parent. John does it for the love of the show and most importantly the love of TJ. 

TJ was a master at recruiting Dads for the annual performance.  It was a great way for the Dads to meet each other and do something special for the kids and school. TJ not only created an amazing performance he created a community that no other school has. TJ created friends amongst the Dads that would have never crossed paths, he created long lasting friendships that mimic those of family members - and that...that is the true meaning of Dads Night!

Secretly it was also TJ's wish to be a STAR!!!! And he was!!! He was, The Show, The Skits, The Outfits, The Videos, The Music, The Dance Routines, which he choreographed using the Same Lame moves, Year after Year, IT WAS ALL HIM. “Pump Pump Right…Pump Pump Left…”

TJ thrived on the excitement and loved doing everything for the show. There were so many times that during the idea creation for skits and videos that laughing and crying fits were to hard to control.  No other person could have thought and succeeded in putting Priests in Rap Videos, Teachers in ridiculous costumes Lip Syncing to hard rock, Principals in silly situations, or Dads in Tutus. In most instances it was fairly surprising, and slightly alarming, how easy it was to get some of the Dads to dress in women’s clothes. 

Nothing was off base and everyone rolled with it and had a great time - All because TJ asked you to do it. That was his true gift as a friend and the reason why we all embarrass ourselves. 

We all do it now for the Love we have for Our Leader, TJ. It is extremely difficult to do this without him, but I know in some way, he would say the Show Must Go On!!!! 

We will do our best OH Captain! My Captain!!!!