This summer, one of Los Angeles’ most iconic venues goes looney—in the best possible way. On July 11 and 12, the Hollywood Bowl hosts the triumphant return of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, a multimedia concert experience that blends world-class orchestral performance with the zany brilliance of classic Looney Tunes. Celebrating Bugs Bunny’s 85th birthday and the concert’s 35th anniversary, this year’s edition promises to be the most spectacular yet.
A Symphony of Animation
Conducted by Emmy-winning co-creator George Daugherty, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra will bring to life the original scores of Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn, performed live as 17 legendary animated shorts are projected onto massive screens. It’s a masterclass in both classical music and nostalgia, featuring unforgettable shorts like What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville, Long-Haired Hare, and One Froggy Evening.
New to this year’s program: a birthday-themed short for Bugs, plus 3D Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner escapades with brand-new scores by Carl Johnson and Christopher Lennertz.
Star Voices, Iconic Characters
Adding more sparkle to the night, voiceover stars Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck) and Bob Bergen (Porky Pig) will appear live, offering fans a rare peek behind the curtain of animated magic. Expect audience-favorite photo ops with Bugs and Daffy, courtesy of Six Flags Magic Mountain, and hands-on animation activities from the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity.
Since its Broadway debut as Bugs Bunny on Broadway in 1990, the production has traveled globally, helping define the now-ubiquitous film-and-orchestra genre. But the Hollywood Bowl remains its spiritual home. As Daugherty notes, “Several shorts actually take place in an animated version of the Bowl itself—there’s no better place to experience them than right here, under the stars.”
A Generational Symphony
For 35 years, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony has drawn multigenerational crowds. “We didn’t know it then, but Looney Tunes gave us a classical music education disguised as comedy,” says Daugherty. “Now, we get to pass that joy along.”
Equal parts concert, cartoon, and cultural celebration, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony is a rare blend of fun, finesse, and film history. Whether you’re a kid discovering Bugs for the first time or a lifelong fan reliving Saturday morning classics, the Bowl becomes the perfect stage for a rabbit-led reunion like no other.
For more information visit bugsbunnyatthesymphony.net
Get tickets now at hollywoodbowl.com
Address: 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles
Hours: July 11, Friday at 8 p.m.
July 12, Saturday at 8 p.m.
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of The Hollywood Bowl
