Our History
Marley Bridges Theatre Company (MBTC) was created, or rather transformed, in 2010 after the closing of the Beechwood Theatre Company at Astors’ Beechwood Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Many of you probably remember hearing about or visiting Beechwood for a living history tour, being shown around the home by a family member and servant in preparation of being a guest of “the” Mrs. Astor for a dinner party she was hosting at her Newport Cottage the following evening. Or perhaps you remember an interactive murder mystery or a roarin’ 1920’s speakeasy or an elegant and festive Christmas Feast hosted throughout the mansion.
Beechwood Theatre Company was founded in 1985, owned and operated by Bob and Lace Milligan. For 25 years, Beechwood provided living history tours about the Queen of American Society, Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor, whose family summered at Beechwood for only a few short weeks. Wife to William Backhouse Astor, Jr. and mother to five children, including John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest millionaire to die aboard the Titanic — Mrs. Astor was the hostess extraordinaire who made it fashionable for New Yorkers and high society families to summer in Newport. Year-round, Beechwood held historical tours, interactive murder mysteries, and other events performed by actors, singers, and musicians from all over the country. Beechwood was also one of the premiere venues for weddings and special events in Newport. Countless nuptials have said “I do” and celebrated in the Grand Ballroom in luxury and elegance.
Beechwood was sold to Octopus Holdings in 2010 and became a private residence, ending the mansion’s time as a favorite place to step back into the Gilded Age of Newport. Fortunately, we were able to maintain the rights to the Beechwood Foundation, the mansion’s nonprofit arm dedicated to fostering the arts, arts education, and historic preservation throughout Newport County. The Foundation was started while Beechwood Theatre Company was still in action, hosting public events like the Big Band Dancing Nights with Larry Brown’s Swinglane Band and other theatrical performances throughout the city.
Since Beechwood’s closing, MBTC has operated under the Foundation by the fearless leadership of Patrick Grimes and Jessica Bradley. Together, they renamed the theater company Marley Bridges, an anagram of Grimes and Bradley, in a nod to their Victorian affinity and love of Jacob Marley, and the Pell Bridge which keeps us connected throughout Little Rhody.
Being nomadic opened up new opportunities for MBTC, starting with creating interactive three-day murder mystery experiences in collaboration with the Architect’s Inn and Inn Bliss in 2010. Next was bringing the company’s signature interactive murder mysteries to the Newport Art Museum, offering family-friendly theatrical experiences throughout the historic John N.A. Griswold House. We created “One Act Wednesdays” with the Museum and performed Shakespeare and other Victorian classics on the lawn. Free to the public, these outdoor performances welcomed families and tourists for BYOB picnics and an evening of entertainment. We're thrilled to be bringing back free outdoor theater at the Newport Art Museum starting in July 2021 with Bottom's Dream.
In 2018, we began partnering with Newport & Narragansett Railroad to perform “Murder on the Rails” interactive murder mysteries; and for the holidays aboard the train, we created the “Dickens Christmas Train” for an inventive retelling of A Christmas Carol. Also in 2018, we partnered with “Fish n’ Tales Adventures” for death at sea aboard the Northeastern. We have been so grateful for these new collaborations and look forward to nurturing them for years to come, and welcome new partnerships along the way.
Beechwood Theatre Company was founded in 1985, owned and operated by Bob and Lace Milligan. For 25 years, Beechwood provided living history tours about the Queen of American Society, Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor, whose family summered at Beechwood for only a few short weeks. Wife to William Backhouse Astor, Jr. and mother to five children, including John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest millionaire to die aboard the Titanic — Mrs. Astor was the hostess extraordinaire who made it fashionable for New Yorkers and high society families to summer in Newport. Year-round, Beechwood held historical tours, interactive murder mysteries, and other events performed by actors, singers, and musicians from all over the country. Beechwood was also one of the premiere venues for weddings and special events in Newport. Countless nuptials have said “I do” and celebrated in the Grand Ballroom in luxury and elegance.
Beechwood was sold to Octopus Holdings in 2010 and became a private residence, ending the mansion’s time as a favorite place to step back into the Gilded Age of Newport. Fortunately, we were able to maintain the rights to the Beechwood Foundation, the mansion’s nonprofit arm dedicated to fostering the arts, arts education, and historic preservation throughout Newport County. The Foundation was started while Beechwood Theatre Company was still in action, hosting public events like the Big Band Dancing Nights with Larry Brown’s Swinglane Band and other theatrical performances throughout the city.
Since Beechwood’s closing, MBTC has operated under the Foundation by the fearless leadership of Patrick Grimes and Jessica Bradley. Together, they renamed the theater company Marley Bridges, an anagram of Grimes and Bradley, in a nod to their Victorian affinity and love of Jacob Marley, and the Pell Bridge which keeps us connected throughout Little Rhody.
Being nomadic opened up new opportunities for MBTC, starting with creating interactive three-day murder mystery experiences in collaboration with the Architect’s Inn and Inn Bliss in 2010. Next was bringing the company’s signature interactive murder mysteries to the Newport Art Museum, offering family-friendly theatrical experiences throughout the historic John N.A. Griswold House. We created “One Act Wednesdays” with the Museum and performed Shakespeare and other Victorian classics on the lawn. Free to the public, these outdoor performances welcomed families and tourists for BYOB picnics and an evening of entertainment. We're thrilled to be bringing back free outdoor theater at the Newport Art Museum starting in July 2021 with Bottom's Dream.
In 2018, we began partnering with Newport & Narragansett Railroad to perform “Murder on the Rails” interactive murder mysteries; and for the holidays aboard the train, we created the “Dickens Christmas Train” for an inventive retelling of A Christmas Carol. Also in 2018, we partnered with “Fish n’ Tales Adventures” for death at sea aboard the Northeastern. We have been so grateful for these new collaborations and look forward to nurturing them for years to come, and welcome new partnerships along the way.
Artistic & Production Team
Patrick Grimes, Artistic Director
Patrick holds a degree in Acting from the University of Northern Colorado. Hired by the Astors' Beechwood Mansion as a summer cast member portraying John Jacob Astor IV in 1996, Patrick fell in love with Newport and the rich social history that abounds here. Following four years of work with Beechwood, Patrick moved to Portland, Oregon where he and a group of enthusiastic visionaries started a small film production company. One year later, he was offered a returning position with the Beechwood Theatre Company and moved across the nation once more. After Beechwood closed its doors to the public in 2010, Patrick and Jessica refused to let the theatre company die. In 2010, Patrick directed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and in 2011 Picasso at the Lapin Agile for the Salve Regina Theatre Department at the historic Casino Theatre. He is a veteran of several professional improvisational theatre troupes, and has a passion for the unscripted.
Patrick holds a degree in Acting from the University of Northern Colorado. Hired by the Astors' Beechwood Mansion as a summer cast member portraying John Jacob Astor IV in 1996, Patrick fell in love with Newport and the rich social history that abounds here. Following four years of work with Beechwood, Patrick moved to Portland, Oregon where he and a group of enthusiastic visionaries started a small film production company. One year later, he was offered a returning position with the Beechwood Theatre Company and moved across the nation once more. After Beechwood closed its doors to the public in 2010, Patrick and Jessica refused to let the theatre company die. In 2010, Patrick directed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and in 2011 Picasso at the Lapin Agile for the Salve Regina Theatre Department at the historic Casino Theatre. He is a veteran of several professional improvisational theatre troupes, and has a passion for the unscripted.
Jessica Bradley Chace, Creative Producer
Jessica earned her B.A. in Theatre from Michigan State University. Following graduation, she became a member of the Beechwood Theatre Company and acted at Astors’ Beechwood Mansion for four years until its closing in 2010. She became the Managing Director of the Beechwood Foundation in her third season and is now the Creative Producer of the MBTC. Improvisational theatre is Jessica’s favorite form of performance art and she has trained with Second City, ImprovOlympic and Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. Jessica directs and acts in Artists’ Exchange’s summer One Act Play Festival in Cranston, and also works on productions for The Gamm Theatre in Warwick.
Jessica earned her B.A. in Theatre from Michigan State University. Following graduation, she became a member of the Beechwood Theatre Company and acted at Astors’ Beechwood Mansion for four years until its closing in 2010. She became the Managing Director of the Beechwood Foundation in her third season and is now the Creative Producer of the MBTC. Improvisational theatre is Jessica’s favorite form of performance art and she has trained with Second City, ImprovOlympic and Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. Jessica directs and acts in Artists’ Exchange’s summer One Act Play Festival in Cranston, and also works on productions for The Gamm Theatre in Warwick.
Board of Directors
OFFICERS:
Cindy Killavey, President
Charles Lane Cowen, Vice President
Kristi Rood-DeAngelis, Secretary
C.C. Ice, Treasurer
DIRECTORS:
Jessica Bradley Chace, Ex officio
Jill Grimes
Patrick Grimes, Ex officio
Tom Holz
Jim Killavey
Cindy Killavey, President
Charles Lane Cowen, Vice President
Kristi Rood-DeAngelis, Secretary
C.C. Ice, Treasurer
DIRECTORS:
Jessica Bradley Chace, Ex officio
Jill Grimes
Patrick Grimes, Ex officio
Tom Holz
Jim Killavey