Woodruff to Receive Brauser Award

H.L. “Woody” Woodruff has been chosen to receive the 2011 Lester Brauser Theatre Appreciation Award, announced Bradford Little Theatre president Nanci K. Garris on Tuesday.

Established in 2001, the Brauser Award is presented to an individual whose work makes community theatre possible in the Bradford area. It is named after theatre enthusiast the late Lester Brauser.

“Since the 1960s, wherever there has been entertainment for the community, there has been Woody,” said BLT president Nanci K. Garris. “Sometimes he has brought performers to town, sometimes he has hosted bus trips to events out of town, and other times he is the performer. It is because of his ongoing support of the arts and especially his personal performances, that we are pleased to present him this award.

Garris recounted Woodruff’s many onstage appearances in the annual Kiwanis Kapers benefit show; his work as auctioneer or master of ceremonies for local causes; his “bits” at local events like car shows; and even his portrayal of Santa over the decades.

The award will be presented to Woodruff on Feb. 25 at the opening night of “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” at St. Bernard Educational and Social Center, 95 E. Corydon St.

“I am honored to receive this award,” said Woodruff, “especially having known and worked with Les.”

Like Brauser, Woodruff said he believes “Entertainment is for everyone – it fills a need.”

Over the years, his volunteer efforts have included booking notables such as Count Basie, comedians Norm Crosby and Frank Fontaine, and the Glenn Miller and Wes Bowen orchestras. Over the years he has impersonated Fontaine’s “Crazy Guggenheim,” Jonathan Winters’ “Maude Frickert,” as well as local personalities. He has lent his home, his voice and his financial support to BLT.

Though he has scaled back, the 78-year-old retiree still helps bring in annual music programs for the Rotary Club as he has for 46 years, still consults with the annual ELF (Era’s Less Fortunate) Fund, and still entertains.

After a four-year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, Woodruff moved to Bradford in 1954 to work for an automobile dealership. In 1960, he established Woodruff Motors offering Jeeps and used cars. In 1971 he joined The Bradford Era, from which he retired in 2000 as general manager. He and his wife, Pat, live on Lang Maid Lane.

Well-wishers can leave congratulations in a guest book BLT will have at all three dinner theatre performances, or greet him personally at opening night.

Past recipients of the Brauser Award include the late Dr. Robert C. Laing Jr., John and Marlene Kijowski, Dr. Richard Frederick, the James VanScoy family, Marmy and the late Steve Hodges, Patty Bianco and Ron Johnson.