Alan Johnson (choreographer)

Alan Johnson (Ridley Park, PA) is an award winning choreographer, best known for his work on Mel Brooks films and for restaging Jerome Robbins original choreography in live productions of West Side Story in the United States and internationally. Johnson has been linked to West Side Story since making his Broadway debut in the show in 1957. Johnson brought the West Side Story dance style into the mainstream when he choreographed several Gap commercials in 2000. This commercial earned him an American Choreography award. Along with the GAP/WestSide advert, Alan also choreographed commercials for Dubonnet and Freixenet Champagne. He has worked with such performers as Shirley MacLaine, Leslie Uggams, Bernadette Peters, Tommy Tune, Chita Rivera and Ann-Margret. He is a three-time Emmy winner.

Relationship with Mel Brooks

Johnson has choreographed musical numbers in several Brooks' films, such as the infamous "Springtime for Hitler" number in The Producers, the "Spanish Inquisition" dance number from the film, History of the World Part I and "Puttin' on the Ritz" in Young Frankenstein.

Johnson also directed Brooks in the 1983 film To Be or Not to Be.

Filmography

As choreographer

• Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)
• History of the World: Part I (1981)
• The World's Greatest Lover (1977)
• Cos (1976) TV Series
• The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)
• Young Frankenstein (1974)
• Blazing Saddles (1974)
• The Producers (1968)

As director

• Solarbabies (1986)
• To Be or Not to Be (1983)