Ever read “Aus dem Schwarzspanierrhaus” by Dr. Gerhard von Breuning? Yeah, I thought so. But if you want to know what made Ludwig van Beethoven tick, you’ll be a lot closer to the answer after locating this tome through an inter-library loan or, better yet, hot-footing it down to Laguna Playhouse to see the so-called first movement of Hershey Felder’s Composer Sonata, “Beethoven, As I Knew Him.”

This one-man drama is based on the book, and Felder, who adapted it, plays von Breuning, It’s 1870, the centennial of Ludwig’s birth, and the good doctor is the last surviving friend left to pay the composer homage. In two of the show’s best moments, Felder/Gerhard analyzes Beethoven’s famed “Symphony No. 5” and the “Pathetique Sonata,” in a way that will speak to music lovers who didn’t earn a doctorate at Julliard; in another, we hear from ol’ Ludwig himself, bellowing in anger and frustration about his utter deafness.

Joel Zwick, who directed Felder in “George Gershwin Alone” and “Monsieur Chopin,” handles the reins once again. The actor, who has announced his return in a brand new outing next season—“Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein”—is playing a limited engagement this time, through May 23. Call (949) 497-2787.

Beethoven and Bernstein share the bill when superstar violinist Joshua Bell headlines an evening celebrating Carl St. Clair’s 20th anniversary with Pacific Symphony May 18, at OC Performing Arts Center. Bee’s “Symphony No. 7” and “Choral Fantasy” are slated along with Bernstein’s “Three Dance Episodes from On the Town,” not to mention works by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Mahler. Special guests include pianist Benjamin Pasternack, baritone Christòpheren Nomura, and Pacific Chorale, led by John Alexander.

“Joshua Bell At Home With Friends,” released last fall, is just the tip of the boyish virtuoso’s iceberg this season, featuring him on CD in collaborations with Chris Botti, Sting, Josh Groban, Anoushka Shankar and Marvin Hamlisch. His 2010-11 European and US recital tour includes Carnegie Hall, Disney Concert Hall, and dates in London, Paris, Budapest, Madrid, Athens, Zurich and Istanbul, as well as a tour of Asia—and you thought your dance card was full. Call (714) 755-5799.

More from Jordan:

Chance Theatre welcomes Julie Myatt; OCPAC invites Rogue Artists
‘Acting’ and ‘Einstein’ offer lessons in art and life at Theatre West
Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney shine anew in DVD releases

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