'Come From Away,' 'Sister Act' and 8 more can't-miss fall shows

An emotional musical about the events of 9/11 opens the fall theater season on Long Island, but local venues offer something for every theatrical appetite. Adaptations of well-known movies and classic dramas are on the schedule, along with a fond tribute to three famous performers from the 1950s and ’60s.

"COME FROM AWAY"

Sept. 11-Oct. 26, John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport

Opening on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, this uplifting musical is the emotional — and largely true — story of what happened in Gander, Newfoundland, when 38 planes were forced to land there. More than 7,000 stranded passengers were taken in by the small community, resulting in lifelong friendships and one marriage. Bring tissues.

INFO $86-$96; 631-261-2900, engemantheater.com

"SISTER ACT"

Sept. 18-Oct. 26, Argyle Theatre, 34 W. Main St., Babylon

Full of laughs, just like the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, the musical tells the uproarious story of a gangster’s girlfriend who witnesses a murder and is hidden in the one place cops would ever thing of looking for her — a convent.

INFO $70-$95;  844-631-5483, argyletheatre.com

"FALSETTOS"

Sept. 19-Oct. 5, Manes Studio Theatre of Long Island, 141 S. Wellwood Ave, Lindenhurst

Exploring family dynamics in the face of the AIDS epidemic, the musical by William Finn and James Lapine centers on Marvin as he leaves his family to be with his male lover. It’s a story of coming out and coming of age, as Marvin (and pretty much everyone else) struggles with issues of gender and religion. The show won best book and best original score at the 1992 Tony Awards.

INFO $35, $30 seniors; 631-226-8400, studiotheatrelongisland.com

"THE HOURS ARE FEMININE"

Sept. 20-Oct. 5, EastLine Theatre, BACCA Arts Center, 149 N. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst

EastLine celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a play set on Long Island in 1960, the summer of Hurricane Donna. Two immigrant families — one from Italy, one from Puerto Rico — struggle to overcome cultural differences as the storm rages.

INFO $25; 516-749-5047, eastlinetheatre.org

"THE THANKSGIVING PLAY"

Oct. 16-Nov. 2, Hampton Theatre Company, Quogue Community Hall, 125 Jessup Ave., Quogue

Larissa FastHorse’s biting satire is about four teachers who make a misguided attempt at creating a culturally sensitive Thanksgiving, which involves leaving out Native Americans.

INFO $40, $36 ages 65 and older, $25 students 25 and younger; 631-653-8955, hamptontheatre.org

"SHREK THE MUSICAL"

Nov. 1-22, CM Performing Arts Center, 931 Montauk Hwy., Oakdale

A close adaptation of the 2001 movie, the musical is a story of a green ogre named Shrek who lives in isolation in a desolated swamp. When it’s invaded by fairy tale characters like Pinocchio and Cinderella, he decides to win back his home by rescuing the kidnapped Princess Fiona. It’s no spoiler to say they live happily ever after.

INFO $29-$44, $29-$42 seniors and veterans; 631-218-2810, cmpac.com

"ANASTASIA" 

• Community Playhouse of Northport: Nov. 14-23, Brosnan Theater, 158 Laurel Ave., Northport
• Lighthouse Repertory Company: Nov. 28-Dec. 7, Bayway Arts Center, 265 E. Main St., East Islip; Dec. 12-21, Bellmore Showplace, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore; Dec. 26-28, The Knox School, 541 Long Beach Rd., St. James

Terrence McNally’s musical about the Russian royal comes to two local stages this season. An adaptation of the 1997 film starring Meg Ryan, the musical ran on Broadway for two years. It tells the story of one of the world’s greatest myths: that Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna somehow survived the execution of the Russian imperial family.

INFO Northport: $20, $15 students and seniors, communityplayhousenorthport.org; Lighthouse: $35, $30 seniors and veterans, 515-272-6597, lighthousetheatrecompany.com

"THE LION IN WINTER” 

Dec. 5-13, South Shore Theatre Experience, 115 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst

James Goldman’s play chronicles the life and times of King Henry II of England and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. To be clear, some consider the intelligent, strong-willed Eleanor to be the true lion in this play — Rosemary Harris won a 1966 Tony Award for the role.

INFO $27; 631-669-0506, southshoretheatre.com

"BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS"

Jan. 17-Feb. 8, Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson

In the first of three semiautobiographical plays about a family in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, Neil Simon explores growing up during the Great Depression. Matthew Broderick won a best actor Tony in 1983 for playing Eugene, the 14-year-old with dreams of becoming a writer (or maybe a baseball player).

INFO $45, $36 seniors and students, $25 ages 5-12; 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com

"THE RAT PACK IS BACK"

Jan. 23-Feb. 15, The Gateway, 215 S. Country Rd., Bellport

What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas; it goes on the road in this jukebox musical that recreates a thrilling night at the late, great Sands Hotel and Casino. Actors playing Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin perform classics like "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon" and "New York, New York."

INFO $59-$99; 631-286-1133, thegateway.org