A thrillingly Americanized version of a controversial German classic serves as the latest presentation by Davenport's New Ground Theatre, with the May 17 through 26 run of author Steven Dietz's American La Ronde the area premiere of a fierce, compelling work in which, according to the Austin Chronicle, “Desire and resentment battle it out in every scene but never in the same way.”

Appearing together in a special event co-sponsored by the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, noted painter, scholar, and historian Driskell and the Center's executive director Curlee R. Holton will unite for the touring presentation Living Legacy, a special artist conversation being held at Davenport's Figge Art Museum on May 16.

New Orleans-based grunge-pop group Treadles performs at Rozz Tox on Wednesday, May 15, appearing on the bill with local electronic project Archeress and country/folk artist Liv Carrow.

With Elmore magazine raving about his “intimate and confessional” lyrics and LiveGigShots.com describing him as “one of the best, most versatile songwriters around,” folk-rock singer/songwriter and Illinois native Dan Hubbard and his band play a May 17 concert at Davenport's Redstone Room, the album-release show for his new Attention demonstrating why Independent Clauses stated, “Dan Hubbard should be on your to-hear list.”

Delivering what American Songwriter calls a “frantic, thrilling, roller-coaster ride of a live show,” the California-based musicians of The Devil Makes Three play East Moline's The Rust Belt as Moeller Nights headliners on May 20, showcasing the bluegrass, country, folk, blues, jazz, and ragtime talents that made PopMatters call the group “one of the most exciting American bands in the business.”

The Black Box Theatre's Silent Sky, by Laura Gunderson, is uplifting and brilliantly executed. First produced in 2010, the play follows the adult life of far-seeing astronomer Henrietta Leavitt beginning in the late 19th century. Because she is a woman, she's only allowed to do “scut” work – categorizing and cataloging thousands of stars; a daunting task. However, she used the drudgery to pursue and discover a shining truth which changed our understanding of the universe.

In many ways, Long Shot is a traditional rom-com to its teeth: there are slapstick antics and getting-to-know-you montages and familiar pop tunes aplenty; the supporting figures include sensible besties and backstabbing rivals and foolish authority figures; our heroine, when depressed, consumes a pint of Häagen-Daaz in her bathrobe. But it's been a long, long time since a Hollywood feature made me as thunderously happy as I was during director Jonathan Levine's showcase for Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, and the nearly forgotten pleasure of old-school, grown-up screen romance. And yes: I just referenced “Seth Rogen” and “grown-up” in the same sentence. I also referenced “Seth Rogen” and “Charlize Theron” in the same sentence. We can argue later about which seemed less likely.

Lauded by the New York Times as a “breakthrough musical” that's “savvy, sassy, and eminently likable,” Broadway's puppet-filled smash Avenue Q brings hilarity, unforgettable songs, and loads of sweetly filthy material to Moline's Playcrafters Barn Theatre May 10 through 19, its blend of modern snark and old-fashioned charm described by The New Yorker as “an ingenious combination of The Real World and Sesame Street.”