The BFF FREE Festival presents Paul Linke’s The Summer I Got Old – a First Look Special Event at Santa Monica Playhouse

Join us for the 10th Annual Santa Monica Playhouse BFF Binge Fringe Festival of FREE Theatre, Oct 14 – Nov 16, the only FREE Fringe Festival in the nation, offering over 36 plays, workshops and family-oriented events. The Playhouse proudly presents a First Look at stage and screen celebrity Paul Linke’s newest creation!

The French have a term, Coup de Vieux, which describes the feeling or sense of suddenly realizing one has gotten old. It’s one of life’s biggest surprises and one that if we live long enough, we will definitely experience. THE SUMMER I GOT OLD is a solo event about one man’s personal account of that moment and an exploration into the last great taboo, aging and mortality. Written & Performed by Paul Linke, Directed by Chris DeCarlo.

Join us for a post show Refreshment Reception with the artist.

Paul Linke is recognized for his role as Artie Grossman on the NBC-TV series CHiPs as well as for his film credits, which include Motel Hell, his starring role in Parenthood, and K-PAX. He earned a Drama Desk and Outer Critic's Circle Award nomination for Save It For The Stage – The Life of Reilly starring comic legend Charles Nelson Reilly at the Irish Rep, in NYC. Paul was the original artistic director/founder of the Powerhouse Theatre where he created his celebrated play Time Flies When You're Alive, later filmed as an HBO Showcase special and nominated for a Cable Ace Award.

Chris DeCarlo, Co-Artistic Director of Santa Monica Playhouse, is acknowledged for his crafting of world and American premieres by such renowned playwrights as David Williamson, Sammy Shore, Lois Wyse, Sheila Rae, Stephen King and Robert B. Parker. His directorial and dramaturgical projects include all 12 of Jerry Mayer’s long-running comedies, Annie Reiner’s Mirage a Trois and the LA TIMES Critics’ Pick productions of Made Me Nuclear, Last of the Knotts, Aspirin & ELEPHANTS and Dying for Laughs.

Binge on Theatre this Fall – give your couch a rest!

Santa Monica Playhouse programs are supported in part by generous grants from the We Are Santa Monica Fund, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the Ahmanson Foundation and Playhouse PALS.