"The play's feverish pacing flies like a slap shot on a hockey net. Engaging storytelling directed with verve by Padraic Lillis. Max Katz lives believably in each moment."

'Beyond Ken Dryden' left a big smile on my face by the end of its sixty-minute run time. The mid-1970s were an essential part of our country's history, as the crossroads of Canadian and Québec identities came to a head.

Yes, it was an alarming time.

The thought of Québec leaving and breaking up Canada hovered ominously. However, it was also necessary for all Canadians to consider what defines them and their country.

Directed with verve by Padraic Lillis, playwright Oren Safdie's feverishly paced and witty solo show details the young Oren Safdie (Max Katz) and his idolization of hockey hero Ken Dryden and the Montréal Canadiens. The young Oren turns to hockey to help him cope as his parents are on the verge of splitting up. Additionally, the mid-70s in Montréal saw many families leaving the province with the rise of the Separatist Parti Québécois under the then-leadership of René Lévesque.

'Beyond Ken Dryden' opens while the Canadiens play their last game at the Montréal Forum. Hockey aficionados, as do Montrealers, recognize that the Bleu, Blanc, and Rouges were truly 'Les Habitants de Montréal.'

Entering the Tank House Theatre, there is a bare stage. A black chair is centre stage. To the right of the chair, there are a couple of tennis balls. To the left of the chair, on the floor, are a hockey stick and a tennis ball. There are moments during the play when Katz demonstrates his finesse with the hockey stick and the tennis ball in the proverbial 'he shoots, he scores' play. I felt that Katz just might have played road hockey as a kid.

Music fans of the 1970s will enjoy the preshow music of the era. I certainly did, and kudos to Margaret Montagna for her work in selecting the music.

Gino Vanelli's 'I Just Wanna Stop' concludes the preshow music. There is a fade out of the opening line of the opening line: "When I think of those nights in Montréal, I get the sweetest thoughts of you and me." Both a clever and nice touch. Safdie adored hockey.

When the iconic music theme 'Hockey Night in Canada' played on Saturday night, I could feel a smile come across my face. People next to me were also smiling, and I could see their heads moving in time to the music. Wonderful thoughts and memories hearing that music.

Max Katz's energy and enthusiasm remain electric throughout the one-hour running time.

Despite a small house today due to the holiday weekend, Katz never allows that to affect his performance. There are moments when he moves around the Tank House with vital intent and firm purpose as a hockey player.

He's also quite an engaging storyteller when he refers to the era of disco, free love and countercultural revolutions that challenged the traditional Québec family like never before.

Katz lives believably in each moment. He wears a T-shirt with the Montréal Canadiens logo emblazoned on it. There's a sense of pride when he speaks about the Habs and the time he met Ken Dryden. It's hilarious when Katz becomes Oren's dotty aunt who works in the hospital and tries to secure Dryden's autograph.

There's also a poignant sadness as Katz voices Oren's mother and father bickering and arguing. Katz reveals his high-performance standard quality when he becomes Oren's mother and father. The moment is heartfelt. Katz moves back and forth between both roles with a graceful and steady fluidity.

The pièce de résistance of this moment occurs when Katz then moves to playing Oren while watching the Habs score on television, while his parents argue. It's beautifully performed and sharply staged, and it makes me feel a great deal of sympathy for this young man.
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Final Comment:

'Beyond Ken Dryden' offers a nostalgically welcome retrospective look back to an era which most certainly challenged all Canadians.

When a play is well-performed, as this one is, it's something that audiences cannot miss.

Please go and see 'Beyond Ken Dryden.'

Running time: approximately 60 minutes with no interval/intermission.
'Beyond Ken Dryden' runs until June 1 in the Tank House Theatre in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane in Toronto's Distillery District. For tickets: (416) 866-8666 or boxoffice@youngcentre.ca.

HYPER-ALLERGENIC PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

'Beyond Ken Dryden' by Oren Safdie
Directed by Padraic Lillis
Performed by Max Katz
Sound Design: Margaret Montagna
Stage Manager: Lara Campbell
Consulting Producer: Derrick Chua