Back by popular demand: ‘Susan Gage: Term-Limited’

By Margie Menzel

For those who loved Susan Gage’s sparkling coverage on Florida Public Radio, and then loved her autobiographical one-woman show when it premiered in 2004, you can savor her exploits once again.

For those who don’t know her theatrical work, there’s nothing like the fire, intellect, conscience and roaring humor in “Susan Gage: Term-Limited.”

The show includes uncanny imitations, lampoons of the powerful, and a coming to terms with the sobering realities of the public radio world. The hour-long performance includes songs, monologues, impressions of politicians, audio clips and visual aids, including a “how to vote” in the next election. “I found myself laughing and crying during the show,” said April Herrle, former communications director for Gov. Lawton Chiles. “It was a truly riveting and brutally honest portrayal of politics in Florida.”

“If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like for reporters to report all that bad news, here’s your chance to find out,” said Julie Hauserman, whose tenure at the St. Petersburg Times capital bureau matched Gage’s at FPR. “Susan tells the side of the media’s life that we usually confine to after-hours talk.” Tallahassee Democrat critic Kati Schardl agreed, rating “Susan Gage: Term-Limited” tops in her “Cool 6” picks for this fall in the Special Student Edition of Limelight.

The multi-media show traces Susan’s life from her roots growing up in her staunchly Republican family in New Hampshire to her 12 years of covering the politics of Florida. From the surreal 2000 presidential election to the raging debates over the death penalty, Gage was on the case. She won state, national and international honors for her coverage.

“Susan was a persistent and incisive public radio reporter,” said Herrle, frequently on the receiving end of Gage’s reporting techniques. And in fact, some of the funniest material comes from actual sound bites of members of the Florida Legislature.

“These are our elected leaders,” Gage warned. “Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.” Gage left the journalism field to become a massage therapist, but this revision of her original show reflects the latest political trends, such as a beefed-up role for her hilarious rendition of Katharine Harris, the Republican Congresswoman from Longboat Key.

As part of the evening’s entertainment, the local musicians Eclectic Acoustic will play. The new show is directed by Donna Nudd, Terry Galloway and Isabelle Potts, who also serve as dramaturges.

“Susan Gage: Term-Limited” plays Oct. 13 and Oct. 14 at the Mickee Faust Clubhouse in Railroad Square, 623 McDonnell Drive. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students with ID. There are no advanced sales. The door opens at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 309-5353.