The first time George Daugherty saw Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in the cartoon “Barber of Seville” – a spoof on Rossini’s classical masterpiece – he was smitten. At five years old, Daugherty had no idea he would go on to create symphony orchestra concerts featuring the Wascally Wabbit and friends, but indeed he did. 

Today, Daugherty's conducted “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” with more than 300 orchestras in front of 2 1/2 million people worldwide. The show has toured the world continuously since 1990.

From Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10, Daugherty conducts the show with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in the opulent Bradley Symphony Center. During the performance, the MSO will present the reimagined classics of Rossini, Wagner and more during 14 Looney Tunes cartoons under a massive screen. This show has three new cartoons.

“We have three fantastic new cartoons and the rest of them are the chestnuts that everybody know and love,” says Daugherty. 

This is Daugherty’s fourth time working with the MSO. 

“It will be a really joyful experience celebrating an amazing American art form that’s still copied today by animators,” says Daugherty.

The show attracts people of all ages – from senior citizens to children – and many times is a multi-generational experience for families.

“Often we see grandparents and parents and grandchildren all attending together,” says Daugherty. “We also have lots of adults who come without kids.”

For many people, Daugherty included, these cartoons from the 1930s, 40s and 50s are a nostalgic look back to carefree Saturday mornings during childhood. Often these cartoons introduced kids to classical music for the first time.

“The ability for these cartoons to incorporate classical music is really unique and hasn’t been done since,” says Daugherty. “Nothing else has ever replaced them in people's minds and hearts.”

Luckily, these cartoons have aged well and do not contain problematic content whereas others from this era were racially offensive.

“These cartoons just don’t seem to age,” says Daugherty. “The entire package is just so good – the music, the humor and the animation direction – which makes it ideal for showing them in concert.”

Daugherty has won numerous awards as a producer, director, writer and composer/music director for film and television, including an Emmy win and five nominations. He has created all of his television and film projects in collaboration with producing partner and life partner, David Ka Lik Wong. The couple live in San Francisco.

In 2025, Bugs Bunny technically will turn 85 years old, but he will forever remain timeless and ageless to audiences. And he will continue to introduce people to classical music in a fun, visual way.

“These cartoons were made from a brilliant storm of creativity. Spectacular talent all came together,” says Daughtery. “You don’t see that very often. Maybe once in a century.”

"Bugs Bunny at the Symphony" is performed live on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30. Go here for tickets and more information.