Say Yes! June 12 & 13
Say Yes! is the joyful antidote we all need to the current cocktail of global anxiety, isolation, and profound uncertainty. It’s a brand new musical production by three veteran performers who, facing down the often lonely, surprisingly challenging spaces created by retirement (and post-pandemic angst), joined forces in their unstoppable desire to fill the void with music, humour and connection.
Say Yes! is a funny, yet poignant walk through the post-retirement loose ends of life – punctuated by relevant show-stopping tunes that audiences will recognize and relate to.
Inspired by their own adventures in retirement, i.e. “how to get a life post-career”, Sara Partridge, Susan Smitten and Jim Hill get personal – and punchy – as they sing their way through the ups and the downs of aging in our current cultural zeitgeist.
As we all crave more genuine connection and real experiences, join this trio for a timely trip through the maze and haze of growing older, with an opportunity to say yes to more of what life has to offer.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the BC Chapter of Canadian Mental Health Association.
Our Performers
Sara Partridge – mezzo-soprano, has been sharing her love of singing both as a performer, and voice teacher with students of all ages for many years. She has taught at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and Glenlyon Norfolk School, and was director of The Muse Performing Arts Studio for 14 years. In 2023 Sara retired from the Canadian College of Performing Arts after 16 years. She continues to teach privately in her own voice studio.
Over the past 60 years (yikes!), Sara has expressed her passion for music and theatre in her involvement in numerous productions both on and offstage. She has enjoyed playing leading roles in community theatre productions. She loves to sing everything from classical to jazz! Sara and Sue met 16 years ago singing and dancing with Darold Roles and Ron Schuster in The Brat Pack.
Sara recently joined forces with Jim Hill as co-music directors for I love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Langham Court Theatre. She is excited to be getting back to her roots, and stretching her creative wings as a performer in Say Yes with dear friends Jim and Sue.
Jim Hill retired from playing organ in churches, which he did for 65 years. He has directed the music for nearly 150 musicals, many of them liturgical and was granted the Award Of Merit from the Government of Canada. Educated at the University of Michigan and Princeton, he has worked at the largest United Church in Canada, Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, Victoria Symphony, Fairfield United, St. Matthias and St. Andrew Anglican here on the Island and most recently, Langham Court Theatre with a record breaking production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, which will be remounted June 25-28!
Susan Smitten – mezzo-soprano, is a singer, actor, dancer who has been privileged to perform on stages in Western Canada for almost 40 years. As a classically trained singer, Susan performed with the Edmonton Opera chorus for 10 years, with additional dance and comprimario roles. She performed in numerous musicals and plays on stages in Alberta and BC, including the original Fringe cabaret Whatever Lola Wants, which toured as a part of Alberta showcase.
