Richard Denny left mark in entertainment, spirituality

By John Lehndorff, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 10, 2008 at 9:05 p.m.

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Mr. Richard Denny "kept his light shining" in role as pastor.

If it hadn't been for Richard Denny, one of Denver's best- known dancers might never have stepped onstage.

David Taylor, founder and former artistic director of the David Taylor Dance Theater, met Mr. Denny in 1969.

"I sought him out because of my interest in metaphysics," Taylor said.

"I learned he was a clairvoyant and he gave me a reading. One day out of the blue he said: 'Why don't you take a ballet class?' I'd never done anything onstage."

Taylor said Mr. Denny's influence went far deeper than dance.

"He was my first teacher, my mentor and the most important person in the course of my life. He gave me my first opportunity to dance and to teach," Taylor said.

A dancer, choreographer, teacher, roller-skating champion and church pastor, Mr. Denny died suddenly at his Denver home on July 28 at age 70. He left behind a community of friends who uniformly described him as the single most upbeat, energetic person they'd ever met.

Mr. Denny was born Rich ard Chiodini on July 14, 1938, in Anamosa, Iowa. He came to Denver as a teenager in the mid-1950s with his family. After attending now- closed Cathedral High School, he moved to New York to pursue life on the stage.

He adopted the stage name Richard Denny and appeared in the original Broadway cast of My Fair Lady and the Broadway cast and national touring company of Camelot. He also worked with Bob Fosse on the 1961 revival of How to Succeed in Business.

He returned to Denver permanently in 1969 and was active in the dance community here for the rest of his life. Colorado Springs resident Corinne Kuhl-Reed was Mr. Denny's dance partner for 19 years.

"Richard was the strongest, most secure partner I ever had. You always felt like you were one with Richard when you danced with him," Kuhl-Reed said.

Mr. Denny founded the dance company Ballet Now in 1974; was a principal dancer and choreographer for Colorado Concert Ballet (now known as the Colorado Ballet); and was ballet master at the Denver School of the Arts. He coached skaters John Curry and Dorothy Hamill before the 1976 Winter Olympics, where both won gold medals.

With lifelong friend Doris Giardini, he became an expert roller figure skater during the 1980s. "He was my skating partner and we were regional champions in pairs' roller dance," she said.

Mr. Denny had a lifelong interest in religion and metaphysics, pastoring his own church called Light Gate for nearly 11 years. In 1980 he earned a master's degree in religion at Iliff School of Theology and was awarded an honorary doctorate in metaphysics from the American Academy of Esoteric Arts and Sciences.

He became pastor of Denver's First Spiritual Science Church in August 2007. "He approached being a minister with a lot of passion," said church member Randi Sunshine Hopkins. "He did his best to be inclusive, rising above any squabbles, and always kept his light shining."

With his goddaughter, Cathrine Lockhart, Mr. Denny opened the Ballet Now teaching studio in Brighton in 2003. "He was the nicest, most patient human being I've ever met. He was so inspiring," said Lockhart, who hopes to keep the studio open.

In June, Mr. Denny joined alumni of the Denver ballet scene at a reunion party, and on July 19, friends hosted a 70th birthday party for him. "He looked healthy and strong, in fine form and sang us all a Broadway tune," said Kuhl-Reed.

An avid gardener, he lived with Sparky the dog and Paco the parrot and bred American Singer canaries.

Mr. Denny is survived by his second cousin, Richard Giardini, of Greeley. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Kitty Chiodini, and brother, Jack Chiodini.

The First Spiritual Science Church held a tribute service for Mr. Denny on Aug. 3. An autumn memorial gathering is also being planned. For information, e-mail karengoodson5@gmail.com. Donations may be made to the Richard Denny Memorial Fund at any U.S. Bank office.

lehndorffj@RockyMountainNews.com; 303-954-5103

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