'Treasure Island' and 9 more big shows for LI stages

1. Sweet Charity (John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, 250 Main St., 631-261-2900, engemantheater.com, through Oct. 28). Neil Simon collaborated with Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields on this heart-of-gold musical about a dance-hall escort who falls for a guy she thinks is too good for her. Best-known songs from this winner of seven Tonys: "Big Spender," "If My Friends Could See Me Now."

2. Lombardi (Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., 631-724-3700, smithtownpac.org, through Sept. 30). It's the Long Island premiere of the Broadway life story of Hall of Fame pro football coach Vince Lombardi, for whom the Super Bowl trophy is named. His Green Bay Packers won the first one back in 1967.

3. Treasure Island: A Musical Adventure (Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson, 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com, Sept. 15-Oct. 27). A world premiere based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel stars Steve McCoy as Long John Silver and features a score by Gary William Friedman and Will Holt, Tony-nominated for "The Me Nobody Knows," with lyrics and libretto by Sherman Wellen of "The Rothschilds," also Tony-nominated.

4. The Clean House (Staller Center, Stony Brook University, 631-632-2787, stallercenter.com Sept. 20-23 and Sept. 27-30). Asylum Theatre presents a romantic comedy by Sarah Ruhl. Brazilian maid Matilde is in the wrong line of work: She hates cleaning. She works for a surgeon whose husband . . . oops. No spoilers.

5. Colin Quinn (Staller Center, Stony Brook University, 631-632-2787, Oct. 27). The Brooklyn-born comedian who wrote his own one-man Broadway history lesson, "Long Story Short," returns to the scene of his academic crimes -- he attended but did not graduate from SBU -- with a new story to tell.

6. Good People (Hampton Theatre Company, Quogue Community Hall, 125 Jessup Ave., 631-653-8955, hamptontheatre.org, Oct. 25-Nov. 11). The 2011 David Lindsay-Abaire play, nominated for two Tonys (winning a best leading actress statuette for Frances McDormand) makes its Long Island premiere.

7. Donka -- A Letter to Chekhov (Staller Center, Stony Brook University, 631-632-2787, Nov. 10). Jugglers, acrobats and dancers pay homage to the late, great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. A concept created by Daniele Finzi Pasca, who has created shows for Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Eloize.

8. West Side Story (Tilles Center, LIU Post, Brookville, 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org, Nov. 11). Two of America's greatest names in music and theater, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, collaborated with Arthur Laurents to create the 1957 Broadway masterpiece inspired by "Romeo and Juliet." It's a one-night-only national tour stop.

9. White Christmas (Gateway Playhouse production at the Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main St., 631-286-1133, gatewayplayhouse.com, Dec. 14-30). Written by a Jewish immigrant (Irving Berlin), this most popular song of any season and one of the biggest hits ever recorded (Bing Crosby) offers holiday greetings with a feel-good musical wrapped around it.

10. Shrek: The Musical (Tilles Center, LIU Post, 516-299-3100, Dec. 16). Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated film, the 2009-10 Broadway musical, now on tour, has 19 songs, big laughs, big dance numbers and memorable characters suitable for a family night out.

More shows to keep in mind

Looking (through Sept. 23 in East Islip, Oct. 13-28 in Elmont). Playwright Norm Foster takes a wry look at middle-aged dating. BroadHollow's BayWay Arts Center, 265 Main St., East Islip, 631-581-2700; next at BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont, 700 Hempstead Tpke., 516-775-4420, broadhollow.org.

Noises Off (Sept. 14-30). Perhaps the greatest modern farce -- its only competition is "Lend Me a Tenor" -- will have your head spinning from backstage to onstage. CM Performing Arts Center, 931 Montauk Hwy., Oakdale, 631-218-2810, cmpac.com.

Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Sept. 14-Oct. 22). A rare musical in Studio Theatre's cozy upstairs. And a rollicking, raunchy one to boot, cowboy style. Studio Theatre, 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst, 631-226-8400, studiotheatreli.com

Ain't Retirement Grand?! (Oct. 3 and 7). BroadHollow Theatre brings its Medicare-eligible comedy to the North Shore. Jeanne Rimsky Theater, Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington, broadhollow.org, 516-775-4420, 631-581-2700

An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin (Oct. 13). Two giants of musical theater, who first appeared together in Broadway's "Evita" in 1979, are paired again for one night. (Tilles Center, LIU Post, Brookville, 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org).

A Christmas Carol (three versions). 1. Michael Wilson's 2009 adaptation creates a phantom- and family-friendly holiday diversion. Nov. 15-Jan. 6, Engeman Theater at Northport, 250 Main St., 631-261-2900 

2. Sure, he played Scrooge for the 1,000th time last year, but Jeffrey Sanzel is coming back for another round of performances as Scrooge in his own adaptation. Nov. 17-Dec. 29, Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson, 631-928-9100 

3. The musical "Carol" that held forth at Madison Square Garden for a decade gets a scaled-down reprise. Dec. 7-30, CM Performing Arts Center, 931 Montauk Hwy., Oakdale, 631-218-2810.

My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish, and I'm Home for the Holidays (Nov. 24, 25). A seasonal twist on the " . . . and I'm in Therapy" bicultural comedy. Madison Theatre at Molloy College, Rockville Centre, madisontheatreny.org, 516-678-5000, ext. 7715.

The Cardigans (Dec. 1-23). Three singing frat boys reminisce about their college days. Lots of doo-wop oldies. Merrick Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2222 Hewlett Ave., Merrick, 516-868-6400, merricktheatreandcenterforthearts.com

Winter Wonderettes (Dec. 1-23). The fictional girl group returns with an evening of holiday pop, from "Jingle Bell Rock" to "Santa Baby." (Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., 631- 724-3700, smithtownpac.org).