Bugs Bunny Brings Classical Flair to the Orpheum
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
The familiar strains of Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” fill the historic Orpheum Theatre, but instead of Brunnhilde’s battle cry, the audience collectively murmurs a different refrain: “Kill da wabbit.” Such is the enduring power of a wise-cracking rabbit in white tie and tails, who introduced generations of Americans to classical music not through concert halls, but through Saturday morning cartoons.
“Many of us first experienced classical music from watching these iconic Looney Tunes cartoons as children, sitting in front of the television on Saturday mornings,” says Emmy Award-winning conductor George Daugherty, creator of “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony.“
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, this groundbreaking production pairs classic Warner Bros. cartoons with live orchestral accompaniment, bringing beloved characters like Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck to the historic Orpheum Theatre Feb. 28–March 2.
“The Phoenix Symphony is proud to be a resident organization at the historic Orpheum Theatre,” says a symphony representative. “We can characterize the Phoenix Symphony, the Orpheum Theatre, and Bugs Bunny with elegance, grace, and proud grandeur — all while remaining approachable and relatable!”
The program features iconic shorts like “What’s Opera, Doc?” and “The Rabbit of Seville,” where Warner Bros. composers Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn masterfully adapted classical works by Wagner, Rossini and other composers into perfectly synchronized cartoon scores.
“When people experience these cartoons with a live orchestra playing the original scores, they appreciate the music in a much more visceral and immersive way,” Daugherty says. “The music is so much bigger and ‘in your face’ in our concert, and the way the orchestra and music integrate and interact with the characters and cartoons on the big screen is brilliantly obvious.”
The genius of composers Stalling and Franklyn lies in their ability to weave classical masterpieces into the fabric of animated storytelling. Take “The Rabbit of Seville,” for instance, where Rossini’s famous overture becomes the backdrop for Bugs Bunny’s comedic barbershop antics.
“It’s quite amusing — we play the original ‘Barber of Seville’ overture at the beginning of our concert, without animation,” Daugherty explains. “But the audience laughs during this ‘animationless’ overture at the precise moments where funny things happen in the animated ‘The Rabbit of Seville.’ That’s how deeply this music is ingrained in our collective psyche.”
For this 30th anniversary edition, Warner Bros. has added five new animated shorts to the program, including three stunning 3D Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoons scored by contemporary film composer Christopher Lennertz.
“These cartoons bring down the house because our audiences have never seen them before,” Daugherty says. “We also have two more new additions: ‘Dynamite Dance,’ a delightful ballet between Bugs and Elmer set to the rollicking ‘Dance of the Hours’ finale, and ‘Wet Cement,’ a fresh Elmer and Daffy Looney Tune.”
The cultural impact of these cartoons extends far beyond mere entertainment. As Daugherty notes, certain classical pieces have become inextricably linked with their animated interpretations.
“If you just sang those notes to people on the street, most would sing back ‘Kill da wabbit’ rather than intoning Wagner,” he says, referring to the famous adaptation of “Ride of the Valkyries” in “What’s Opera, Doc?”
The historic Orpheum Theatre provides the perfect backdrop for this unique blend of high culture and popular entertainment. Built in 1929, the recently renovated venue offers modern amenities while maintaining its vintage charm, creating an immersive experience that can’t be replicated at home.
“The cartoons and music are truly brilliant, captivating audiences of all ages with their artistic excellence, stunning animation, grand orchestrations and timeless comedic moments,” the symphony representative says. “These classic shorts remain as engaging and masterful today as when they were first created decades ago.”
A highlight of the concert is experiencing the Looney Tunes on the big screen, as they were originally intended for movie theaters, not television or small digital devices. The combination of live orchestral performance and full cinematic presentation creates a uniquely immersive experience that bridges generations.
The production has reached more than 3 million people worldwide, often serving as many audience members’ first orchestral experience.
“This aligns perfectly with our ongoing mission: to bring the power of live music to Phoenix and all of Arizona in a relatable and amazing experience,” the symphony representative adds.
‘Bugs Bunny at the Symphony — 30th Anniversary Edition’
Feb. 28–March 2 // 7:30 p.m. Friday–Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday // Orpheum Theatre // 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix // $55+ // 602-495-1999 // phoenixsymphony.org
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