GRAVE MISTAKES – Skypilot Theatre
Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
When the house that we live in starts having some occasional eerie occurrences, with strange things happening; like flickering lights, doors cracking open on their own, a cold wind brushing through, or we smell of some old perfume, we wonder if the house we live in is haunted. Sometimes people leave us without a proper goodbye or some unfinished things that needed to be said.
Ray (Dylan Bowers) lost his father Bob (Chris Durmick) recently, and his comfortable, safe, warm place became a subject to paranormal activity. And meeting a work deadline became a challenge. Ray is a book editor and he has a secret; his co-worker Molly (Shelly Snellman) who is an author, opened his heart and he has warm feeling towards her.
It happens that his very peculiar landlord Bob () is a ghost hunter, and he has a plan of contacting the ghosts in the house by an intentional turning on and off the light bulb.
While Molly (Shelly Snellman) is thinking ‘out loud’ on paper, a typewriter is heard blending with the voices of two ghosts. We find out that the previous owner Eloise (Marjorie ‘MJ’ Scott) who died in 1930 is also stuck in the house, and the two ghosts find their way to a romance. The delightful cast also features Jon Paul Burkhart, Amberlee Clark, Jason Owsley and Marie Pettit.
Grave Mistakes written by Ben Abbott, directed by Jonathan Fahn, produced by Morris Schorr, and presented by SkyPilot Theatre Company, Assistant Director is Karen Brundage, Set & Properties Designer is Tudi Roche, Technical Director is Astrid Becker, and Promotions Manager is Sean Dube.
This 100‑minute romantic comedy with supernatural elements offers an evening of farce, humor, and some emotionally charged moments. Ray found the disclosure with his deceased father and the loving connection between them is heartwarming. Great job Dylan!
Director Fahn says, ‘Ben Abbott’s Grave Mistakes blends dark comedy with genuine emotion, exploring how grief, guilt, and family secrets collide in unexpected ways. My aim has been to embrace the play’s sharp wit while grounding every absurd moment in truthful human relationships. By balancing tension, humor and vulnerability, the production invites audiences to laugh, reflect, and recognize the messy, often contradictory ways people navigate loss, forgiveness, and the hope of finding connection when everything seems buried.’
The ensemble has lots of fun doing this show. Finding the character’s essence and expressing them through comedy, they found a way to balance and blend the extraordinary with human expressions. There are moments of truth and wit that find its way to the audience. Nicely done, everyone!
SkyPilot Theatre Company’s Grave Mistakes is being performed at LACAE Theater at 11031 Camarillo St, North Hollywood, CA 91602. Performances are from Fri, Aug 07 – Sun, Aug 30, on Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Running Time is 100 minutes with intermission. The theatre has concessions. Flickering lights and loud noises will go on during a show.
For first two weekends only, tickets are $25 – a special offer with limited availability. Use Promo Code 215
Regular tickets are $40