International director Andre Serban ends a long absence from the Public Theatre with the upcoming Shakespeare in the Park production of Shakespeare's Cymbeline, running Aug. 4-30, with an official opening Aug. 16 at the Delacorte Theatre in New York's Central Park.

In the '70s, Serban's work was frequently seen at the Public. Among the productions guided by his hand were Beckett's Happy Days (1979) with Irene Worth; Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard (1976) with Raul Julia, Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken; and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1979). The Rumanian-born director ran the Rumanian National Theatre from 1990 to 1993.

Starring in Cymbeline are Michael Hall (Timon of Athens) as Posthumus Leonatus, Liev Schreiber (The Tempest and the films The Daytrippers and Scream) as Iachimo, Stephanie Roth (Artist Descending a Staircase) as Imogen, Herb Foster (The Skin of Our Teeth) as Cymbeline, and Randall Duk Kim (Golden Child) as Belarius.

Mark Wendland will handle the scenic design, Marina Draghici the costumes, Michael Chybowski is lighting designer, and Jeffrey Carlson will design the sound.

Admission to Cymbeline is free. Tickets can be picked up on performance day for that evening at The Delacorte Theatre in Central Park starting at 1 PM. Tickets are also distributed from 1-3 PM at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St. For more information, call (212) 539-8750. -- By Robert Simonson