[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of SkyPilot Theatre Company’s Grave Mistakes, written by Ben Abbott, directed by Jonathan Fahn and produced by Morris Schorr.
Grave Mistakes is a very funny comedy romp revolving around a writer, Molly, and her editor, Ray, who are camping out in his rental house to try and get Molly’s novel finished. Up in the attic, where the office is set up, Molly taps away on her trusty old typewriter but just can’t seem to concentrate. Her best friend, Jess, keeps showing up, bringing supplies of snacks and a lot of distraction, but what Molly really needs is to tell Ray how she feels about him and finish the damn book!
The house is a Victorian and is owned by Lori, the most annoying woman anyone could ever have the misfortune to meet. Loud, brash and greedy, she is convinced the house is haunted. After renting it to Ray, she now has the madcap idea that she can get it on some ghosty rental list and rake in the money by scaring weekend ghost warriors.
This would, of course, mean that the two of them would have to move out, and this is not a plan either of them are happy about. So they concoct a plot to trick Lori and her haunted house app officiant, Guy, into either thinking there are no ghosts at all or making them so scared they scrap the idea altogether because no one would ever want to stay there.
The only fly in the ointment is the actual existence of two very real ghosts.
Ghost 1, Eloise, has lived in the attic since her untimely death over a century ago, and ghost two is Ray’s recently deceased father, Bob. As they get to know each other, as disparate a pair as they might at first seem, something begins to happen between them…
All these brilliantly acted characters create a highly entertaining story full of hilarity, plot twists, and more than a little bit of romance. It has a lovely whimsical Ghostbusters quality, and the performances really make the show work. Everyone is in fact absolutely excellent. And I don’t say that lightly! They take a great play and really knock it out of the park!
It’s also well worth mentioning that the set is superb and the sometimes complicated effects are handled perfectly. Honestly, you can really tell when a show has got it together. It’s not just that the cues work, it’s that the actors can rely on them and really let go and enjoy themselves!
Grave Mistakes is really wonderfully done. It’s very funny and sweet, with great characters and a truly compelling story! I highly recommend it!! Bravo, Skypilot!!
Where:
LAECE
11031 Camarillo St, NoHo Arts District, CA 91602
When:
August 7- August 30
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.
Tickets:
https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=8760
The Cast
The cast for Grave Mistakes includes Dylan Bowers, Jon Paul Burkhart, Amberlee Clark, Kelsey Dougherty, Chris Durmick, Jason Owsley, Marie Pettit, Marjorie Scott and Shelly Snellman.