New York City's Lost Tribe Theatre Company, now in its eighth season, presents what they are toting "a modern American Western in four acts" as Empire Gas by Stephen F. Kelleher plays at the Bank Street Theatre. The production, which began performances May 2, is scheduled to run to May 25.

When a Vietnam veteran returns to his former stomping ground on Long Island, he finds that his new employers — two Hindu brothers — are the subject of misplaced hate. Set in 1980, following the events of the Iranian Hostage Crisis, the modern day Western culminates in a show down. Heather Ondersma directs.

The cast of Empire Gas are Collin Biddle, Lora Lee Cliff, Tim Diamond, Marc Diraison, Kevin O'Connell-Peller, Kila Packett, Jerome Richards, Debargo Sanyal, Minerva Scelza, Greg Sims and Marlon De Souza. The creative team includes Valerie Pastoriza (costumes) and Scott Boyd (sets and lights).

Playwright Kelleher's work includes The Lawless Sun, Shayquan's Picture and Returner for Lost Tribe Theatre Company — where he serves as artistic director — since the company was founded in 1994. Director Ondersma has helmed the U.S. premiere of Hella Haasse's A Thread in the Dark and the New York premieres of Ellen K. Anderson's Why Mudflaps? (NYC Fringe 2000; selected for publication and Fringe Excellence Award: Ensemble Performance).

Empire Gas plays at the Bank Street Theatre, 155 Bank Street (between West and Washington St.). For tickets, call (212) 591-2893. — by Ernio Hernandez