QUICK TAKES - May 5, 2009

A new musical from Duncan Sheik and a new musical biography of Sammy Davis Jr. are the highlights of the 2009-10 season at the Old Globe in San Diego.

The company has announced a lineup of nine productions, the same number as this past season.

“Sammy,” a world premiere musical about the life of the legendary performer, opens the season on Sept. 17 at the Old Globe Theatre. Featuring the crooner’s signature tunes, including songs by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the show spans Davis’ life from his childhood to his years as a member of the Rat Pack.

Duncan Sheik follows up his work on “Spring Awakening” with a new musical titled “Whisper House,” opening Jan. 13 at the Old Globe Theatre. Sheik wrote the music and lyrics for this story about the keepers of a lighthouse and the spirits that haunt them.

The season features productions of five plays: the West Coast premiere of Evan Smith’s “The Savannah Disputation”; a revival of Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers”; the Tony-winning revival of “Boeing-Boeing”; the world premiere of Kenny Finkle’s “Alive and Well”; and the West Coast premiere of Matthew Lopez’s “The Whipping Man.”

On Dec. 7, the Old Globe will officially open the new Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, a 251-seat house that will serve as the company’s second stage and replaces the old Cassius Carter Center Stage.

-- David Ng