NEW YORK (AP) - Passion is running amok in Central Park's Delacorte Theater this summer. The Public Theater's free Shakespeare in the Park is following its critically lauded production of ''Romeo and Juliet'' with one of Shakespeare's most popular romantic comedies, ''A Midsummer Night's Dream.'' It runs Aug. 7-Sept. 9, with an opening set for Aug. 23.

The cast includes Martha Plimpton, direct from her Tony-nominated performance in Tom Stoppard's ''The Coast of Utopia.'' Plimpton portrays Helena, one of the bewitched lovers in the comedy. The others are played by Austin Lysy (Lysander), Mireille Enos (Hermia) and Elliot Villar (Demetrius). That mischief-maker Puck will be played by Jon Michael Hill.

Also in the cast are Keith David as Oberon and Laila Robins as Titania, the king and queen of the fairies. The rustic comedy will be provided by Jay O. Sanders as Bottom, Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Flute, Jason Antoon as Snout, Keith Randolph Smith as Snug, Ken Cheeseman as Starveling and Tim Blake Nelson as Quince.

The director is Daniel Sullivan.

For more information on how to obtain tickets, call 212-539-8750 or visit the Web site, www.publictheater.org.

By MICHAEL KUCHWARA AP Drama Writer

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