Springsteen Visits Paterson Set Of Spielberg's 'West Side Story'

PATERSON, NJ – Garden State native Bruce Springsteen swung by the set of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” remake in Paterson on Monday.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh posted a picture on Instagram with the rocker, saying the film’s production has been “enhancing Paterson’s image” and “improving our downtown economy.”

A city spokeswoman said Springsteen was in town visiting his friend, Spielberg.

This summer, a film production of "West Side Story" has transformed parts of Paterson into New York City, circa the late 1950s.

Spielberg's adaptation of the 1961 movie musical has picked several places throughout the city to film, including many downtown storefronts and offices. One of those locations is William Paterson University's Small Business Development Center on Ellison Street in Paterson, according to the college's president Richard Helldobler.

In an Instagram post earlier this month, Helldobler wrote that the building "has been made over to become the Shark's hangout."

"West Side Story" will also shoot in parts of Newark. The film, which stars Clifton teen Rachel Zegler, has a Dec. 18, 2020 release date.

Earlier this month, the adaptation, which is being produced by Twentieth Century Fox, received about $6.85 million in film tax credits from the state's economic development authority.