Old Slang

Tonight is ladies’ night in Mamet-land, when the too-long-in-exile Kansas City Actors Theatre opens Boston Marriage, the only play by David Mamet to boast an all-female cast. That means, forget the rants and the swearing but not the sad sacks driven to desperate cons. This time, those sad sacks wear turn-of-the-last-century gowns. A Victorian-era comedy of sex and schemes, Boston Marriage pits lesbian lovers (and their maid) against society. (The title refers to a then-contemporary term for two women in an intense, possibly romantic relationship, as in Henry James’ The Bostonians.) Expect ribald jokes and a comic treatment of one of the key themes of sweatier Mamet works such as American Buffalo and Glengarry Glen Ross: how the rules of this world can make you desperate enough to make terrible decisions. Melinda McCrary directs; Cheryl Weaver, Cinnamon Schultz and Rachel Roberts star. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Webster House (1644 Wyandotte). Call 816-235-6222 for tickets.

Wed., Jan. 20, 7 p.m.; Thu., Jan. 21, 7 p.m.; Fri., Jan. 22, 7 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 23, 7 p.m.; Wed., Jan. 27, 7 p.m.; Thu., Jan. 28, 7 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 3, 7 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 4, 7 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 5, 7 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 6, 7 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 10, 7 p.m.; Thu., Feb. 11, 7 p.m., 2010