AUBURN — “Chosen: Adoption Stories” is an emotionally charged new play written and directed by Linda Britt, who uses some imaginative staging to spotlight the many facets of adoption.

In this premier production at UU Theater at the First Universalist Church, Britt’s skillful direction draws out a full spectrum of feelings from a very talented cast. She has recruited some of the best dramatic actors in the L-A area for this show.

Twenty-three monologues provide the framework for the stories, but these monologues are much more than recitations. The format gives each of the actors a vehicle for dramatic expression, unexpected insights and occasional humor. The audience is always in anticipation of the play’s next shift.

Britt employs a variety of writing and theatrical techniques to emphasize the twists, turns and emotional extremes of the adoption process.

In the play’s segments, usually considered scenes, four or five actors walk onto the stage and pause in tableau poses. Some actors hold small props like photos, letters, or a baseball glove in the tableau positions as they wait to speak. The stories emerge as, one by one, the actors step forward from the tableau.

Their monologues might reveal heart-wrenching situations and years of living with doubt and confusion, or stories of joy and fulfillment.

One of the best presentations is by Cheryl Reynolds. Seated on a stool at center stage, she begins a story called “Grandmother by Proxy.” It starts matter-of-factly as she talks about a difficult decision made years ago to place a child for adoption. She never moves from her seat. She uses only her voice and facial expression to display a gradually increasing anguish as the story unfolds — and she keeps the audience spellbound.

Reynolds has appeared locally in acclaimed roles in “Medea,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Sweeney Todd” and “A Lion in Winter.”

Several other monologues reveal adoption’s influence, both positive and negative, on adoptees, birth mothers and fathers, prospective gay adoptive parents and others who must deal with new and challenging realities in their lives.

There is a lot of humor in “You Never Know What You’re Going to Get,” presented by Pat Phillips. There is a bittersweet touch to “Chosen,” presented by Dante Baskett, a teenage actor appearing in his 13th play; and to “In the System,” a youngster’s impressions of foster homes presented by Luka Baskett, a sixth-grader at Fairview Elementary School, Auburn.

Sydney Browne, Britt’s adopted daughter, does a fine job with “Dear … Mother? Love, Andrea,” which focuses on dilemmas an adoptee might face in writing a first letter to a birth mother.

Stan Spilecki brings his theatrical skills to “Born To Be a Dad;” Jackie MacDonald presents a moving monologue called “My Other Child;” and there is suspense in Anna Cyr’s “The Phone Call.”

Responsibilities of raising a child from another culture are highlighted by Michelle Jacobus in “A Tree Without Root.”

“No Big Deal” and “My Parents Won’t Tell Me I’m Adopted” are skillfully presented by Drew Masse, a Lewiston High School student.

Other presenters include Vicki Machado, Ryan Adair, Michelle Washburn, Gerry Therrien, Mark Hazard, Susan Brown and Michael Litchfield.

Each monologue stands on its own and the play emphasizes adoption’s far-reaching effects and complexities rather than conclusions.

“Chosen: Adoption Stories” is a production of Out of the Box Theater which usually stages its shows at the DownStage facilities of L/A Arts in Lewiston. Britt said the UU Theater offers more seating and the message of the play is well suited to the Auburn group and venue.

Remaining shows

WHAT: “Chosen: Adoption Stories”

WHO: Out of the Box Theater

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29

WHERE: UU Theater at the First Universalist Church, Pleasant Street in Auburn

TICKETS: $10; call L/A Arts at 782-7228 or visit www.laarts.org