At the start of the show, the stage boasts two separate settings: an upscale beach house, stage center, and a beauty salon, stage right. Your typical locales for the average Syrian-Jewish-American? Yes, if you’re playwright Lance Crowfoot-Suede. His Syria, America will be playing at NYC's Greenwich Street Playhouse June 8-July 8, with an official opening on June 12. In Syria, four friends, played at different ages by eight actors, are confronted with the dilemma of choosing between their personal sexual identity and their deeply religious, Syrian-Jewish community. The adult/childhood buddies are played by Bob Bucci and Dan Fotou as Eli, Josh Jonas and Peter Macklin as Morris, Matthew Rashid and J.T. Patton as Jackie, and Max Ryan and Michael Silva as Rob.

For Syria, America, director Derek Jamison (SteveandOnce a Catholic) teams up with Emerging Artists Theatre veteran Crowfoot Suede (Switching Backand last year’s INTAR production, CHUPPAH.) Others helping to bring Syria to America are designers Warren Karp with sets, AnnMarie Duggan with lights, and Joanna Staub with sound.

To purchase your tickets to Syria, America (passport not necessary) visit Greenwich Street’s box office, 547 Greenwich St. (between Charlton and Van Dam or call (212) 627-5792. You can also buy the $20 ticket online at http://www.eatheatre.org.

-- by Ernio Hernandez