Michele Chivu will direct the production, which begins previews May 15. The production will play 15 performances through June 2 at The Public's Shiva Theater. Tickets go on sale April 6.

Ciannavei will appear in a cast that also includes Bronwen Coleman, Cusi Cram, Salvatore Inzerillo, Trevor Long and Sidney Williams.

"What's the difference between an overweight marketing executive who sells women's lingerie and diet pills and the starving spokesmodel who peddles the goods for the camera?" asks the show announcement. "About 100 pounds."

Playwright Ciannavei also penned Art Outside, co-wrote Gypsy: Wanted for UnAmerican Activities (with Laura Somers) and short plays that include Employees Must Wash Hands, The Squeeze, Twelve Never Changes, Murasaki and The Deep End. As an actor, her credits include Slipped Disc, Savage in Limbo "100 Centre Street," "The Sopranos," ad the film "Pigeonholed."

Director Chivu previously collaborated with Ciannavei on Employees Must Wash Hands, The Squeeze and the Barn reading of Pretty Chin Up. Other credits include We.Belliwood, Feeder: A Love Story, Blume in Atlantic City, The Maids and Rhinoceros. Carlo Alban's Intríngulis is now playing a developmental run through April 9. LAB also currently presents the sold-out world premiere of Bob Glaudini's Jack Goes Boating, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Daphne Rubin-Vega, John Ortiz and Beth Cole, through April 29. The troupe's 15th anniversary season will continue with Eric Bogosian's This Is Now! penned with musician-composer Elliott Sharp.

Tickets will be available for Pretty Chin Up at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, by calling (212) 967-7555. For more information visit labtheater.org.