Nicholas Martin directs the comedy, which begins performances March 24 and continues through April 26. Opening night is April 6.

Previously announced to appear in Why Torture Is Wrong are Amir Arison (Queens Boulevard), David Aaron Baker (Dead Man's Cell Phone), Kristine Nielsen (Crazy Mary) and John Pankow (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie).

Why Torture Is Wrong, according to press notes, "tells the story of a young woman suddenly in crisis: is her new husband, whom she married when drunk, a terrorist? Or just crazy? Or both? Is her father's hobby of butterfly collecting really a cover for his involvement in a shadow government? Why does her mother enjoy going to the theatre so much? Does she seek mental escape, or is she insane? Honing in on our private terrors both at home and abroad, Durang oddly relieves our fears in this black comedy for an era of yellow, orange, and red alerts."

The Public premiere will have scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Gabriel Berry, lighting design by Ben Stanton, original music by Mark Bennett and sound design by Drew Levy.

Laura Benanti earned a 2008 Best Supporting Actress Tony for the Arthur Laurents-helmed revival of Gypsy starring Patti LuPone. She also earned Tony nominations for her work in Swing! and Into the Woods. Her Broadway appearances also include Nine, The Sound of Music and The Wedding Singer. Audrie Neenan most recently appeared in the film adaptation of Doubt. On Broadway she has been seen in Oklahoma!, Curse of an Aching Heart, The Odd Couple and Picnic. She is a member of Chicago's Second City.

Richard Poe is a veteran of Broadway's Cry-Baby, Journey's End, M. Butterfly, 1776, Our Country's Good, The Dinner Party, Moon Over Buffalo, Fiddler on the Roof and The Pajama Game.

Tickets for Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them go on sale Feb. 20. For further information visit PublicTheater.

The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.