Yippee Ki Yay – The Die Hard Parody, playing at the Garner Galleria Theatre Dec. 6 through Dec. 23, parodies the 80’s film Die Hard in poetic rhymes while also telling a story about a man and a woman who fell in love over this classic, Christmas flick. The film and production center around a Christmas office party on Christmas Eve, after all.

Before seeing this production, let’s dive into some interesting facts about the Die Hard film, which inspired this rhymey spoof:

Richard Marsh in Yippee Ki Yay. Photo by Rod Penn

1. Bruce Willis’ Face Didn’t Make The Original Posters

Bruce Willis wasn’t a prominent action star at the time of Die Hard’s release. Marketers decided to make the building the star on the posters, and after the film’s success, they put Willis’ face on them.

2. Die Hard Was Based on a Book

Die Hard was based on the 1979 detective book, Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp.

3. Top-Rated Actors Rejected the John McLane Role

John McLane was originally intended for heavy-hitters like Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, Burt Reynolds, Richard Gere and more, but they all passed.

When Bruce Willis took the role, he earned $5 million, which was a pretty hefty check back then.

Richard Marsh in Yippee Ki Yay. Photo by Rod Penn

4. Willis Suffered Hearing Loss On Set

In a 2007 interview with The Guardian, Willis said he had “two-thirds partial hearing loss” in his left ear because of an on-set accident.

5. Reginald VelJohnson Loves Playing the Cop

Reginald VelJohnson played Sergeant Al Powell in Die Hard and Die Hard 2. VelJohnson is also known for playing Officer Carl Winslow in an episode of “Perfect Strangers” and the 9-year sitcom “Family Matters” with Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel.

6. Die Hard Was Alan Rickman’s First Film Role

Richard Marsh in Yippee Ki Yay. Photo by Rod Penn

The late Alan Rickman played Hans Grueber in the film, which was his first film role. Throughout his life, Rickman played numerous characters, including Severus Snape in all eight Harry Potter films, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (originally a production by Stephen Sondheim), Marvin in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and more.

7. The “Yippee Ki Yay” Line Was A Gag

Bruce Willis said in a 2013 interview that the “Yippee Ki Yay” line was originally a gag. He thought it wouldn’t get used in the final cut, but it became the catchphrase. The Die Hard franchise includes four sequels, video games, and comic books.

DETAILS
Yippee Ki Yay – The Die Hard Parody
Dec 6-23, 2023 • Garner Galleria Theatre
Tickets
NOTE: This production utilizes the sound of gunshots. Also contains divorce, foot trauma, and German terrorists.