Stephen Metcalfe has had a flourishing career as a writer for stage, screen and television, and also as a director. His latest play premiered at the Cygnet Theatre Company in San Diego in January, 2011, and Metcalfe chose The Ruskin Group Theatre to premiere his play in Los Angeles. Having opened on September 30, 2011, at the Ruskin Theatre in Santa Monica, it has drawn audiences from around the area giving rise to an extension of its run.

Dakin Adams (Brian Kerwin) and his wife Macy (Diana Angelina) are living a retired comfortable life in their home where they wake up each day to a magnificent view. They even constructed an outdoor area to give them more space to relax and enjoy the spectacular scene. They have lived in their home for quite sometime and have a camaraderie with their neighbors, in particular their next door neighbor Carl Brewer (Edward Edwards).

The neighborhood is primarily inhabited by affluent people including Carl, but Dakin is a retired school teacher and not one of the wealthy residents. Suddenly, something changes in the life of Dakin and Macy when Carl informs them that he is selling his home and moving to Seattle. Dakin is aware that whoever purchases Carl's home will probably tear it down and rebuild one with a second story in order to take advantage of the view from up high, thus blocking the view from his property. Dakin becomes obsessed with the thought of losing something that has been so important to him for all of these years. He offers to buy a restriction from Carl that will keep anyone from building up on the property, but Carl feels that he would be losing a large value of the property unless Dakin is willing to pay him what he feels it is worth.

Dakin is in no position to pay Carl what he is expecting, an argument ensues between the two and Carl leaves in anger. Dakin tries everything he can think of to keep his view, even to the point of getting his lawyer daughter Ellen (Austin Highsmith/Rachel Noll shared) to look into legal aspects regarding his rights. Dakin becomes so preoccupied with trying to figure out any way that he can to avoid losing the view, that his relationship with Macy becomes very fragile. He even begins to believe he is conversing with his son Spencer (Peter Cilella), who was killed in the 9/11 attack on the New York World Trade Center.

When all is said and done, changes occur in the lives of most of us, and it is something that we have to learn to accept. It finally happens to Dakin. Will he come through and accept the inevitable and learn to live happily ever after? Dave Florek directs an exceptionally fine cast.

Brian Kerwin, a successful actor (stage, screen and television) is remarkable in his performance as a man who is facing a tragedy in his life, argumentative and difficult much of the time, but truly loving of his family. He has performed in four other of Metcalfe's plays. Kudos to Diana Angelina, understudy to Leslie Hicks, for an outstanding performance as Macy and likewise to Peter Cilella, understudy to Lane Compton.

Tragedy of the Commons plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, at the Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Road, in Santa Monica, continuing through November 20, 2011. Call (310) 397-3244, or go online at www.ruskingrouptheatre.com for reservations.