History of The Show

    In December of 1980, friends of Jerry Viviano gathered together for a holiday party at his home in Overland Park.  That night, the host entertained his guests by singing a couple of impromptu songs.  As the annual Christmas party grew, a stage light and a small sound system were added and a "show" was born. The following year, more people came...and by the December 1984 show, 70 of Jerry's friends jammed into his duplex for what was called the "Dean Martin variety Show."  Due to the popularity of the show and the desire to assist the needy, the hose -- with the terrific support of Al Strain, the treasurer, and Father Tony Lickteig, the pastor of Holy Cross Church--decided to have the 1985 event at Holy Cross Church in Overland Park.  This time a donation charge was implemented and all proceeds went to the Shalom House for the homeless and hungry in Kansas City.  Around 270 people attended and $5,000 was raised.

    The 1986 and 1987 extravaganzas were held at the Kansas National Guard Armory in Kansas City, Kansas.  The 1986 show drew a crowd of 600, and netted $20,000 for the St. Joseph homes for the elderly.  The 1987 show attracted more than 700, and another $20,000 was raised for the Emergency Assistance Program of Catholic Charities.   

    The 1988 and 1989 shows featured 14 acts each.  The shows were held at the Jack Reardon Convention Center, attracting around 1,000 people year. The two shows netted $42,000 for the Kansas City Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund in '88 and for the special Children's Center in '89.

    The 1990 show, which featured overhead screens raised another $20,000  for the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund. Since 1991, the show's venue has been the beautiful Rose Theatre at Rockhurst High School.  The 1991 show netted $22,000 for Catholic Charities.

    The 1992 benefit earned a record $22,500 for the Don Bosco Centers. The 1993 event reached a milestone, raising $25,000 for Catholic Charities. In 1994, another $25,000 was raised for the Don Bosco Centers; in 1995, Catholic Charities received the $27,000 raised at the event; Don Bosco Centers was the recipient of $35,000 raised in 1996.

    In 1997, Dan Carney, a dear friend of Jerry Viviano's became the producer of the show and took it to a whole new level of excellence.

    Since 1998, the event's beneficiaries have alternated between the Don Bosco Centers and Catholic Charities. Between 1998 and 2003, the shows have raised a total of $400,000,  The next six shows netted $337,000 and on the silver anniversary of this event, the net amount raised went over $1,000,000!

The 2010 show had a new beneficiary -- Cristo Rey Kansas City.  Cristo Rey Kansas City provides a Catholic, college prep education enhanced by an innovative corporate work study program to culturally diverse students with economic need.

In 2011, the event's beneficiary will again be Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.