A two-time Tony nominee for his stagings of Billy and The Magic Show, Dale originated the role of Snowboy in West Side Story under the direction of Jerome Robbins. Dale will direct West Side Story for Lyric Stage, running Sept. 5-14.

"When I first spoke with Grover, he had just returned from Japan, where he had seen a production of West Side Story," said Lyric Stage founding producer Steven Jones in a statement. "He was excited about the prospect of staging the show with many of the subtleties and nuances of the original Broadway production on a large stage with a full orchestra."

Dale added, "Opportunities to witness an American classic musical supported by a 32-piece orchestra are rare to come by. The brilliance of Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim's score as well as Jerome Robbins' choreography will definitely get its chance to shine."

The cast will feature Micah Shepard and Kimberly Whalen as Tony and Maria, respectively, with Antonio Jimenez (Bernardo) and Christie Peruso (Anita). The Jets include Philip Groft, Brett Quine, Harry Feril, Jeremy Dumont, Jason Mayfield, Stephen Langton, and Tyler Donahue; while Sergio Garcia, Mario Martinez, Alexander Arroyo, Peter Romaniello and David Staggers are the Sharks.

Completing the West Side Story cast are Lili Froehlich, Hannah West, Ryan VanCompernolle, Meghan Fluker, Kellie Carroll, Amanda Passanante, Melody Denoia, Kristin Smith, Koreyci Barreto, Angela Moore, Donald Jordan, Francis Fuselier, John Davies and Gordon Fox. The creative team includes Jay Dias (music director/conductor), Kate Swan (re-creating Jerome Robbins' choreography), Julie Moroney (lighting design), Drenda Lewis (costume design), Jane Quentin (set design) and Bill Eickenloff (sound design).

A modern retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set on the West Side of Manhattan, West Side Story tells the tale of two doomed young lovers, Tony and Maria, who are inextricably linked to rival gangs, The Sharks (Puerto Rican immigrants) and The Jets (native New Yorkers).

Arthur Laurents penned the book with a score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Jerome Robbins directed and choreographed the original production's electrifying dance numbers, which are re-created worldwide.

The landmark musical will return to Broadway in a revitalized production helmed by original librettist Laurents in February 2009.

The Bernstein-Sondheim score features the American classics "Somewhere," "Tonight," "One Hand, One Heart," "Maria," "I Feel Pretty" and "America."

Tickets are available by phoning (972)-252-2787 or by visiting Lyric Stage.

Performances take place at the Irving Arts Center's Carpenter Performance Hall.