NEWARK, N.J. 鈥� Today marks the theatrical release of Steven Spielberg鈥檚 reimagining of the legendary 鈥淲est Side Story,鈥� filmed on location on the streets of Paterson and Newark. The film, already garnering positive reviews from critics, marks Spielberg鈥檚 musical debut and his third time filming in New Jersey.
鈥淲est Side Story鈥� tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This is the second feature-length adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical conceived, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Spielberg鈥檚 version of the musical was written by two-time Tony Award 庐 and Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter Tony Kushner and produced by 20th Century Studios.
The new film stars Ansel Elgort as Tony and Clifton-native Rachel Zegler as Mar铆a, in her feature film debut. Zegler graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi and starred in the school's musicals all four years. In 2018, she responded to an open casting call for Spielberg鈥檚 new film of 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� and was selected for the role of Mar铆a from over 30,000 applicants. She first played Mar铆a in a 2017 BergenPAC production of the musical. Zegler was recently named Best Actress by The National Board of Review for her role in 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� and made Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 list. Rita Moreno鈥攁n Oscar winner for the 1961 movie adaptation鈥攊s recast as the drug-store owner, Valentina, with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez and Mike Faist also starring. Patrick Higgins, a North Arlington resident, Melody Marti, a Secaucus resident and Montclair State University graduate, are also featured in the cast.
鈥淲e are absolutely thrilled that Steven Spielberg and his team chose New Jersey for his new version of this iconic musical, and the casting of Clifton鈥檚 own Rachel Zegler as Mar铆a makes that choice extra special,鈥� said Governor Phil Murphy. 鈥淣ew Jersey is on the rise as a location for film and television production and seeing the streets of Paterson standing in for 1950鈥檚 New York City proves that no matter what kind of set location you鈥檙e looking for, be it cityscapes, suburbs, beaches, mountains or farms, you can find it here.鈥�
Streets in Paterson and Newark were redressed to bring to life late-1950s New York, the territory of the rival Sharks and Jets gangs. Paterson鈥檚 Downtown Historic District was used to build sets in the parking lots between Veterans Place and Hamilton Street across from Paterson鈥檚 Center City Mall. Businesses on Ellison Street were transformed to recreate Broadway and 68th Street in Manhattan in the movie. Filming also took place in downtown Newark. The interior of the National Newark Building on Broad Street and the exterior of the former Bamberger鈥檚 on Washington Street were used to recreate Gimbels Department Store.
鈥淎cross generations and cultures, West Side Story is a film that brings people together,鈥� said First Lady Tammy Murphy. 鈥淟ikewise, New Jersey 鈥� with its unparalleled diversity of geography and people, alongside our opportunity zones, incentives and raw talent 鈥� is an ideal location to bring such a story to life. We are incredibly proud to have been a part of the creation of this film, look forward to its imminent release, and hope to host many more film productions in the Garden State.鈥�
"From the moment we conceived of this film, it was clear the story needed to come off the stage and onto the streets of New York in order to evoke the grit and authenticity we were striving for in recreating 1950's New York," said Steven Spielberg. "New York itself served us very well as a primary filming location, and New Jersey afforded us another incredible backdrop for much of our story. The communities that welcomed us in both Paterson and Newark were fantastic partners, working closely and collaboratively with our production at every turn."
Producer Kristie Macosko Krieger told Variety that filming in New Jersey was critical to the film鈥檚 success.
鈥淲e looked all around, and Paterson, N.J. gave a grit and an authenticity to the film that I don鈥檛 think we could have gotten anywhere else,鈥� Krieger told Variety. 鈥淭hey treated us like family, and that felt important since we were making a movie that was special to them and us.鈥�
Since the reintroduction of the state鈥檚 film tax credit, New Jersey has once again become a destination for filmmakers looking for diverse locations and a welcoming atmosphere.
鈥淭he selection of New Jersey by a premier production like West Side Story speaks volumes about all New Jersey has to offer projects seeking diverse, top-tier talent and iconic settings,鈥� said New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. 鈥淭he state鈥檚 many assets and ideal location, complemented by the Film & Digital Media Tax Credit, has created a welcoming environment for film and television projects. Under Governor Murphy鈥檚 leadership, we stand ready to support productions that recognize New Jersey鈥檚 advantages and bring economic benefits to small businesses in communities throughout the Garden State.鈥�
Spielberg is no stranger to New Jersey, having briefly lived in Haddon Township as a child. He returned to the state previously to direct two other features including 2002鈥檚 鈥淐atch Me If You Can,鈥� starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks -- which was partially shot in Orange -- and the 2005 film 鈥淲ar of the Worlds,鈥� starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning, which was filmed extensively on location in Newark and Bayonne.
鈥淪ince Governor Phil Murphy and the legislature enacted the film tax credit law, they have successfully opened New Jersey to the industry to work. It was truly an extraordinary experience to bring this American icon to the Garden State,鈥� said Robert Striem, location manager and a resident of Maplewood. 鈥淭he Paterson location broadened the scope of the film visually to an incredible extent. We created the largest back lot on the East Coast, with unprecedented cooperation from Mayor Andre Sayegh and the various departments. The Newark team remained flexible and accommodated our needs no matter how challenging they were. Working in Paterson and Newark to complete the filming of 鈥榃est Side Story鈥� was an unparalleled experience.鈥�
About the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission
The Sexy真人MPTVC, which falls under the New Jersey Department of State鈥檚 Business Action Center, is staffed by industry professionals and serves as a resource for production companies. The Commission promotes film and television production in New Jersey.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Directed by Academy Award庐 winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award庐 winner Tony Kushner, 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Brian d鈥橝rcy James (Officer Krupke); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Josh Andr茅s Rivera (Chino); with Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works); and introducing Rachel Zegler (Mar铆a). Moreno 鈥� one of only three artists to be honored with Academy庐, Emmy庐, GRAMMY庐, Tony庐 and Peabody Awards 鈥� also serves as one of the film鈥檚 executive producers.
Bringing together the best of both Broadway and Hollywood, the film鈥檚 creative team includes Kushner, who also served as an executive producer; Tony Award庐 winner Justin Peck, who choreographed the musical numbers in the film; renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor and GRAMMY Award庐 winner Gustavo Dudamel, who helmed the recording of the iconic score; Academy Award庐-nominated composer and conductor David Newman (鈥淎nastasia鈥�), who arranged the score, Tony Award庐-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (鈥淔un Home,鈥� 鈥淭horoughly Modern Millie鈥�), who supervised the cast on vocals; and GRAMMY庐-nominated music supervisor Matt Sullivan (鈥淏eauty and the Beast,鈥� 鈥淐hicago鈥�), who serves as executive music producer for the film. The film is produced by Spielberg, p.g.a., Academy Award庐-nominated producer Kristie Macosko Krieger, p.g.a. and Tony Award庐-winning producer Kevin McCollum. 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show. Original choreography by Jerome Robbins, based on the stage play, book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, play conceived, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein.
From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company releases 鈥淲est Side Story鈥� in U.S. theaters today.
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