Andrew Ian Adams (standing), Alexx Rouse, Bea Fields, and Rory Sheridan Photo by Mikki Schaffner

Here's the premise: Christmas Eve, 1988. Mack (Rory Sheridan in the Bruce Willis action hero role) finds his screenwriting star on the rise based on the success of the film. But his marriage is on the rocks. He returns home for the holiday with his wife and kids, who are conspiring to reignite their parents' romance. Rouse and Andrew Ian Adams reprise the rambunctious teenage roles they played in 2024, enacting a harebrained plan to make Dad a hero again, wearing garish green holiday onesie pajamas decorated with Christmas garland and ornaments.

Unfortunately, late night intruders led by Hans Gruber (Adams again, comically channeling the menacing role played by late actor Alan Rickman) and a handful of German goons (Rouse wearing a staggering number of comic wigs) are after Mack's advance for another film. They plan to ransom hardworking, frustrated wife Bonnie (Bea Fields, who also plays nice-guy inept cop Al). The raucous tale has Mack and the kids on an adrenaline-fueled misadventure to save their family–or "die hard" trying. In the process, they more or less destroy the three-bedroom family home on Christmas Eve instead of the office tower demolished in the movie.

It's a zany production, staged again by Tatiana Godfrey, with a wild plot and a tighter script than a year ago, especially with moments of second-guessing by Mack about setting an example for his kids and questioning whether violence is really the best way to pull his family together. Of course, the parody calls for more-or-less scene-by-scene recreation of some of the movie's memorable lines and special effects in imaginative ways, including a foil-wrapped carton that's used as an air-conditioning duct that Mack has to squirm and scramble through in the course of battling the intruders. The production uses a few video clips from the movie to remind the audience of the cinematic carnage. Know gives this madness a PG-13 rating with the warning "an array of weaponry, snorting pulverized candy, comedic Hollywood violence and language."

The set, designed by Sarah Beth Hall, features over-the-top holiday décor–two trees laden with ornaments (including a few surprise items pulled from the branches when needed), large gift wrapped presents and an army of ungainly mannequins portraying Gruber's goons as Mack picks them off. (The comic weapons wielded by the combatants are silly plastic toys.)

Audience reactions are directly correlated to how much of the 1988 film they recognize. There's a lot of slapstick humor, but the hilarity feels a little too forced for too long, even with the show's fleet performance time–about 100 minutes including a 20-minute intermission. Nevertheless, Rouse and Baldwin's script requires adept comedic acting that all four performers handle energetically–including some cartoonish fight choreography. Rouse, Adams and Fields must constantly rotate through their various roles with some crazy quick costume changes, as well as amusing accents and physical insinuations. Sheridan ably portrays a character rooted in Bruce Willis's action role but gives him some tongue-in-cheek introspection. Playing the second act in a bloody, sleeveless t-shirt with manic intensity results in some of the show's best moments.

Opening night was sold out, and it seems likely that this show will do well again this year. Enjoyment of the production might be enhanced by viewing the 1988 film in advance. It will help to fully appreciate the sharp satire the co-playwrights have woven into their script.

Die Hard Is a Christmas Movie runs through December 21, 2025, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, David C. Herriman Center for the Performing Arts, 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati OH. For tickets and information, please visit knowtheatre.com or call 513-300-5669.