Claudine Pierre-Louis, Gregory Crafts, Steven Vogel, Leonard J. Moore II, Lee Pollero (Photo by Matt Kamimura)
Reviewed by Amanda L. Andrei
Theatre Unleashed
Through December 21
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Debatable — but yes. Is A Very Die Hard Christmas, a fringe-y holiday parody of the 1988 action thriller, an L.A. winter tradition? If you’re into ‘80s and ‘90s TV and film pop culture references mashed up with goofy rewritten Christmas songs, it could be.
Theatre Unleashed produced this show ten years ago and has since staged it at the Hollywood Fringe and The StageCrafts — it’s currently part of the FrostyFest Lineup, a local festival with live and streamed theatrical performances and screenings. Audience members squeezed into the Hobgoblin Playhouse off Sunset Boulevard, brought in popcorn and wine, and settled into the snug 50-seat black box theater.
Written by Josh Carson, Brad Erickson, Andy Rocco Kraft, and Mike Mayket, the show pokes fun at this 80s classic action film by transforming its subplots and cinematic violence into farce, song, and puppetry. Directed by Veronica Matthews, the effect is an outrageous and kooky retelling of Die Hard, making it an alternative choice for folks searching for entertainment beyond the season’s usual sugarplum fare.
Mimicking Bruce Willis’ smirks and squints with carefree machismo, Steven Vogel takes on the role of NYPD cop John McClane, aghast at having to spend the holiday in L.A making up with his estranged wife, Holly Genero (the playfully flippant Claudine Pierre-Louis). Displaying excellent comedic timing and vocal caricature of Alan Rickman’s iconic voice, Evan McNamara makes a fabulous Hans Gruber, the ex-radical German terrorist bent on blowing up the skyscraper where Holly’s company is having their Christmas party. Lee Pollero does triple duty as “Al the Snow Cop” (a giant puppet representing Al Powell, the LAPD cop offering moral support to John McClane), a coked-out businessman and terrorist.
Following the arc of the movie and making jokes within each scene has its logic but doesn’t always translate into quick comedic tension. Parts of the narrative lag, and some jokes or film references never land. Towards the end, the sheer extent of screaming and machine gun blasts loses its novelty, though some of that is restored by the songs. “Where Are You Christmas” performed by pregnant co-worker Ginny (Elle Shaheen) and Holly is a lovely rendition, as Shaheen and Pierre-Louis have gorgeous voices. It’s a treat to hear Shaheen steal a solo as a character mashup of Little Cindy Lou and Little Lucy McClane.
Also of note is the upbeat and energetic Leonard J. Moore II, who inhabits the roles of chauffeur Argyle, reporter Thornburg and a terrorist, as well as occasionally acting as a puppeteer. Gregory Crafts (director of the 2015 production) also takes on the role of a terrorist and provides some exciting physical comedy (fight choreography by J. Anthony McCarthy). The company makes bold choices by inviting audience participation, pulling an audience member onstage to take on the role of Mr. Takagi, the Japanese company president who needs to provide the code for the vault. (The audience member does great, by the way.)
A few other amusing interactive moments not only showcase the raw weirdness of a fringe festival, but also make the performance more communal. We’re not only theater spectators. We, too, are holiday hostage members, and by golly, amidst all the fake blood and confetti, the 72-degree weather and threat of terrorism, we’ll all sing “Fah Who Doraze, welcome Christmas!” and get through this together.
The Hobgoblin Playhouse, 1516 Gardner St., West Hollywood. Sat., Dec. 13, 8 pm, Sun., Dec. 14, 9 pm, Wed., Dec. 17, 8:30 pm, Sat., Dec.20, 9:30 pm, Sun., Dec. 21, 7: 30 pm; thru Dec. 21. events.thestagecrafts.com/projects/11259 Running time one hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
