Stunt Thespians

The seeming spontaneity of David Mamet’s famously stylized dialogue — as casually rattled off by, for instance, William H. Macy — is the cumulative result of thousands of hours of writing, memorizing, blocking and rehearsing. If that much preparation and forethought went into sex, there would be no such thing as little babies, and then where would we be? OK, just kidding. But the one-act plays presented at tonight’s 7:30 p.m. Zero to Opening in 24 at the Spencer Theatre (4949 Cherry, 816-235-2700) should definitely have an air of spontaneity, having been conceived, written, rehearsed and performed in a single 24-hour span. Such an audacious act of stunt dramaturgy can be undertaken only by people who love what they do. Tickets cost $75, and proceeds benefit UMKC Theatre student scholarships.

Mon., Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., 2009