It's a collection of scenes, written by 14 top playwrights and novelists, lovingly assembled by Tony Award winner Joan Stein and Susan Rose into 90 minutes of humor, nostalgia, emotion and insights into women's experience.

“Motherhood Out Loud” is in its fourth production and is a perfect fit for Avenue Theater's sixth annual January devoted to women. Among the writers: Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley, Michele Lowe are Theresa Rebeck are listed with those involved as designers, writers, producers and those who came up with concepts, and despite the great number of creative minds included, the piece flows smoothly as one work.

Local actors Lu Ann Buckstein, Mehry Eslaminia, Megan Heffernan, Jeff Kosloski, Cindy Laudadio-Hill and Jane Shirley expertly slide in and out of numerous characters, starting logically with a funny bit about delivering that little person in the first place.

With minimal set pieces and mostly black attire, these six carry the audience from park playground to school to concerns about a son who wants to be a girl, to adoption. There's a nice piece about a gay dad's experience with a surrogate mom and another about how to explain adoption.

A Muslim mom, teens, pending weddings, in-laws, children away at war, family Thanksgivings, divorce and the perspective of a great-grandmother all follow on stage.

The ending circles back to birth: “Oh my God, you are a person! We both cry. A new life had begun and I got to be there!”

Directed to women and men, this is just a beautifully crafted bit of theater, skillfully directed by Bob Wells.

If you go

“Motherhood Out Loud” plays through Feb. 23 at Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; same time Thursdays Feb. 7, 14 and 21; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. Tickets: $18-$26. 303-321-5925, avenuetheater.com