At the start of 2013 the "final" draft of the book, lyrics and music was complete, but rewrites awaited.  Roy hosted a pizza and wine reading at his home with friends and family doing the first read through of the show.  Since version 1.00 there have been several additional readings, workshops and  and productions as presented below.

The first read through of the show was held in April, 2013.

Eddie and the Palaceades was selected to participate in the First Act Feedback Festival held at Player's Theater in Greenwich Village.  Eddie and The Palaceades was the very first show to present before a panel that included Peter Schneider, Tom Polum, Mark Hollman, William Squier and Moderators Bob Ost and Carol DeGiere.

The presentation included the background on the show and one key song.  Michael Holland and Julie Reyburn performed "Meet Me At The Palace".  The audience and panel responded with applause, comments and advice.

xx

    Michael Holland               Julie Reyburn               Julia Mattison               Eric Michael Krop             Steven Ray Watkins

A studio demo EP was compiled with five songs produced in New York by Michael Holland.  Michael did the musical arrangements and performed the accompaniment.  Michael sings the role of Eddie;  Julie Reyburn sings the role of Gracie; Julia Mattesson sings the role of Mary.  Eric Michael Krop sings as Ryan and Steven Ray Watkins performs as Vinny.

xx

SOLD OUT house at Roy Aria's Theater.  Eddie and The Palaceades scores three awards at Manhattan Theater Mission New Musicals Showcase.  In photo right:  Roy O'Neil, Book Writer and Lyricist for Eddie and The Palaceades holds "Audience Favorite" trophy alongside Katy Baker, Artistic Director of Manhattan Theater Mission.

Gracie Doyle:  Susan Cohen Destefano
Ryan Moriarty:  Matthew J. Riordan
Mary Doyle:   Shira Averbuch
Roz Sherwood:   Gina Haver
Biggie Williams:  Marty L'Herault

Eddie and The Palaceades enjoyed a three week run at the June Havoc Theater in the Abingdon Theater Center as part of the Midtown International Theater Festival.  Full houses, great reviews, nine nominations and the award for Best Director.

Eddie and The Palaceades video "Meet Me At The Palace" presented as part of "Headlines & Headliners" 10th Anniversary tribute to the Palace Theater renovation and history. (Destefano, Valfer, Dorf, Riordan) 

X

At the MainStreet Musicals Festival held at the Uptown Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas, Musical Director Adam C. Wright organized a pre-show cabaret that included four songs from Eddie and The Palaceades.  The songs performed were "Bring Biggie Down", "Spread My Wings", "Stir The Ashes" and "Give Me A Little Kiss.  Tim Jerome, President of MainStreet Musicals, is shown at left in photo with Dallas performers.  Adam Wright is at the rear.

X

X

IN CONCERT reading of the show with audience talkbacks. 

Eddie and The Palaceades is the first show in an original works reading program organized under the leadership of WHTC Artistic Director Corinne Cameron.  The production is directed by Corrine Cameron with musical direction by Marcia Wytrwal.

PETER COOK AS EDDIE AND BOOKWRITER/LYRICIST ROY O'NEIL

Cameron has assembled a cast of experienced local talent for the production including Peter Cook as Eddie Doyle, Sonia Schonning as Gracie Doyle, Rob Minshall as Vinny Moriarty, the original Palaceades.  Corinne Cameron played daughter Mary Doyle and Dan McSweeny plays Ryan Moriarty, Vinny’s son.  Alex Valentine is featured as Mayor Biggie Williams; Sheila Furtado is featured as Mama Cerelli; and Merideth Richter played Roz Sherwood.  Bobby Genereau, Tom Pucci and Chris Hatch are members of the Board of Aldermen; Tom Pucci also played the MC and Chris Hatch did narrator duty.

Following each performance there were talkback sessions with the audience and local theater pros provided some written suggestions regarding the script.  Lots of positive energy.  General enthusiasm for the story, the principal characters, especially Eddie, and the music, but preliminary re-writes cut 25 pages, two characters and six songs.

In September, 2016 seven additional songs were demo'd.  That's Why I'm Running, Pay to Play, I'm Gonna See It Get Better (Eddie's Pledge), and C'Mon Eddie You Can Do it Parts 1 and 2 were produced by Michael Holland in New York City. Vocalists were Victoria Cook, Matt Hinkley, Kristin Dausch, Will Porter, Steve Watts and Michael Holland.

Who's The Boss? and Back Together were produced by Galen Breen at his Gator Hole Demo Studio in Nashville.  Vocalists were Jason Eustice, Jeff Carson, Jennifer Bruce and Gale Breen.

In the Spring of 2017 the show had its first full production at the Square Foot Theater Company in Wallingford, CT.  The show opened to sold out audiences who greeted it with enthusiastic appreciation.  The set was constructed as the stage of the Palace Theater with the proscenium outlined with posters from the historic acts and shows that played the Palace.  Creative lighting effects and furniture transformed locations from scene to scene.

Cast:

Eddie Doyle:   Brian Ozenne

Vinny Moriarty:   Francis Michael

Gracie Doyle:  Toniann Carey

Mary Doyle:  Heidi Schulte 

Biggie Williams:  Sara Golley 

Alderman Desoto:  Mike Tryzciensky

Alderman Smith:  Jessica Giannone

Alderman Perez: Heather Bazinet 

MC/TV Host and More: Karen Sportino 

Director: Patrick Laffin 

Music Director: Alan Dougherty

Choreographer: Jennifer kaye