January offers diverse and splendid opportunities for fine entertainment in the lively arts. Get your New Year cultural mojo on with the following: At The Old Globe At the top of my list is Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow’s world premiere musical “Whisper House,” opening in previews at the Old Globe Jan. 13 and continuing through Feb. 21. Sheik wrote the Tony Award-winning “Spring Awakening” and Jarrow, the Obie Award-winning “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Project.” The new musical concerns 11-year-old Christopher, who is sent to live with his lighthouse-keeping aunt when his daddy is killed in World War II. As it happens, the lighthouse is haunted by ghosts that only Christopher sees. For information go to www.theoldglobe.org or phone (619) 23-GLOBE. At the Lyceum San Diego Repertory Theatre presents Peter Sinn Nachtreib’s “boom,” an end-of-the-world bedroom farce that concerns a geeky biologist (Steven Lone) and the savvy but reluctant woman (Rachael Van Wormer) he’s picked to help him repopulate the planet. Opens in previews Saturday, Jan. 9 and continues Wednesdays through Sundays, through Jan. 31 in the Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza. For info and tickets, visit www.sdrep.org or phone (619) 544-1000. At the Civic Theatre San Diego Opera opens its season at the Civic Theatre Jan. 30 with Giacomo Puccini’s beloved “La Boheme.” The production features the return of German soprano Anja Harteros in her role debut as Mimi. Sensational Polish tenor Piotr Beczala (catch him on YouTube!) makes his San Diego Opera debut as her Rodolfo. Also playing 7 p.m. Jan. 30 and Feb. 2, 8 p.m. Feb. 5 and 2 p.m. Feb. 7. Info at www.sdopera.com or phone (619) 533-7000. • Broadway San Diego presents “Riverdance” Jan. 5-10, and “Jesus Christ Superstar” (with Ted Neely) Jan. 15-17. Information: www.sandiegotheatres.org At Copley Symphony Hall San Diego Symphony under the baton of Jahja Ling starts the New Year with Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, performed at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 8 and 9, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10. Also featured is violist Che-Yen Chen in performance of George Frideric Handel’s Viola Concerto in B minor at Copley Symphony Hall, Seventh and B Street, www.sandiegosymphony.com or (619) 235-0804.
