RICHARD KORTHAZE CELEBRATED AT ST. MALACHY’S/
THE ACTORS CHAPEL FEBRUARY 18TH

Dick Korthaze, "Dancin’ Man,” from Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’

Advisory Board Member Lori Tan Chinn, DO40 Board Members Sharon Wendrow, Patrick McCarthy, Lena Anders and Sasha Spielvogel, along with DO40 prez John Sefakis and James Dybas, Equity's Kristine Nevins, Karin Baker-Kayne and Greg Kayne.

Saturday, February 18th DO40 was on hand to celebrate the life of DO40 board member Richard Korthaze with his family at St. Malachy’s Church/The Actor’s Chapel. There was a short mass and reception afterward in the West Chapel, with family, friends and many, many DO40 members, including DO40 Advisory Board member Lori Tan Chinn, board members Lawrence Leritz, Sasha Spielvogel, Sharon Wendrow, Leni Anders, Patrick McCarthy and DO40 president John Sefakis, along with James Dybas, Equity’s Kristine Nevins and Karin Baker and husband Greg Kayne.

The service was put together by Dick’s nephew David Tiffin and his dear friend, actress and singer Jane Coleman. There was a gallery of pictures of Dick and his family, window cards and photos from his shows and lots of reminscencing. David Tiffin and John Sefakis spoke during the service about Dick’s family and theatrical life which spanned 40 years, from the 1950’s PAL JOEY to Patti Lupone’s ANYTHING GOES in the late 80’s. He received the coveted Gypsy (now Legacy) Robe five times and was on Equity’s Chorus Committee for decades. Always an advocate for dancers, he lobbied for master dance teacher Luigi to be represented in the 2015 TONY’s In Memoriam segment.

Quiet on the outside, but a task master sometimes at DO40 board meetings, Dick did not suffer fools lightly! DO40 was blessed with his presence on the board for over 15 years. He was a long-time member, having joined in the 1990’s when DO40 was first created. Cheer’s to a dancer’s dancer, Richard “Dickie” Korthaze, who would have turned 95 this month.

DO40 president John Sefakis with Richard’s nephew, David Tiffin

"Mr. Bojangles" number from Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ with Bill Hastings.