A Memorable Valentine’s Day with Bugs Bunny and the New Jersey Symphony

Only the lucky few in the packed venue at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank can say they spent Valentine’s Day 2025 with Bugs Bunny. It was a spectacular evening of music and animation for kids at heart — most of whom were of legal driving age. The Bugs Bunny at the Symphony series, presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, featured a memorable performance by the New Jersey Symphony. The concert offered a beautiful blend of classical music and the timeless charm of Looney Tunes.

Yes, Looney Tunes.

Conducted by the Emmy Award-winning George Daugherty, the event was a celebration of the magic that happens when the whimsical world of Bugs Bunny meets the grandeur of a live symphony orchestra. For many attendees, the evening was a chance to revisit their favorite childhood memories with beloved characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and the ever-elusive Road Runner, all brought to life on the big screen.

Reflecting on the impact of Looney Tunes on classical music and the legacy of these beloved characters, Daugherty shared, "When we were kids, sitting on the living room floor, eating sugary cereal, we had no idea that we were getting a masterclass in classical music, courtesy of these cartoons. You'd hear Wagner, Rossini, and Strauss, and not even know you were being introduced to some of the greatest composers of all time. That's the magic of these cartoons—they didn’t just entertain us, they educated us without us even realizing it."

The Count Basie Center: A Beautiful Setting for the Evening

The Count Basie Center for the Arts provided the perfect setting for this special Valentine’s Day performance. The historic venue, known for its architecture and intimate atmosphere, added a touch of splendor to the evening. The theater's acoustics were a perfect match for the live orchestra, and the charm of the space elevated the entire experience.

The New Jersey Symphony performed the iconic Carl Stalling scores from Looney Tunes’ most beloved cartoons, including What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville, and Corny Concerto. These animated shorts, projected on the big screen and set to the live music of the Symphony, created a captivating synergy between sound and vision.

A Night to Remember

Daugherty is renowned for his innovative concerts that fuse classical music with visual storytelling. His experience with major orchestras worldwide ensured an extraordinary performance, and for him to repeatedly extol the virtuoso and brilliance of the members of the New Jersey Symphony was quite a compliment.

In addition to the classic Looney Tunes shorts, the concert featured new animated films. Daugherty’s expertise and the New Jersey Symphony’s impressive performance transported the audience into the world of Looney Tunes like never before.

For those who missed the performance in Red Bank, the Bugs Bunny at the Symphony series continued with additional performances at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on Saturday, February 15, and State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick on Sunday, February 16.

Upcoming Events with the New Jersey Symphony

While Bugs Bunny at the Symphony was a special highlight, there are many more exciting performances coming up with the New Jersey Symphony:

1) The Firebird with Xian Zhang

Friday, March 7, 2025 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

Saturday, March 8, 2025 | Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank

Sunday, March 9, 2025 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

2) Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2

Thursday, March 13, 2025 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

Friday, March 14, 2025 | Richardson Auditorium, Princeton 

Saturday, March 15, 2025 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

Sunday, March 16, 2025 | Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

3) Vadim Gluzman Plays Brahms

Thursday, March 20, 2025 | State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick

Saturday, March 22, 2025 | Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank

Sunday, March 23, 2025 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark

Don’t miss the opportunity to see these incredible performances! For more information on these upcoming concerts and to purchase tickets, visit njsymphony.org.

Until next time, peace.