The Public Theatre 1998-99 season gets underway Off-Broadway, Oct. 14 with the first performance of the Brian Kulick-directed Pericles. Viola Davis (Seven Guitars) and Jay Goede (Sex and Longing), in the title role, are among the cast. The show was to have begun performances Oct. 13, but delayed the opening to work on various technical aspects of the production.

The Public presented the seldom-done Shakespeare play several years ago, with Michael Grief directing Campbell Scott in the title role. The new mounting will be helmed by Brian Kulick, who last season directed A Dybbuk at the Public.

Viola Davis was nominated for a Tony for her performance in August Wilson's Seven Guitars. She has also worked at the American Conservatory Theatre, Trinity Rep and the Guthrie Theatre.

Jay Goede appeared on Broadway in Christopher Durang's Sex and Longing. He was to play the title role in Edward II at Washington, D.C.'s Shakespeare Theatre this fall until the show's director, Garland Wright, unexpectedly died and the production was replaced by Oscar Wilde's A Woman of No Importance.

Also in the cast of Pericles are Vivienne Benesch (Ancient History, Deep Blue Sea), Torquil Campbell, Philip Goodwin, Gail Grate, Francis Jue, Miriam A. Laube, Julio Monge, Geoffrey Owens and Sam Tsoutsouvas. For more information on shows at NYSF/the Public Theatre call (212) 260 2400.

-- By David Lefkowitz and Robert Simonson