Wascally Wabbit

America's favorite bunny commands orchestra with baton.

Whether you realize it or not, classical music was as much a part of your weekend cartoon routine as cereal and pajamas. Arias underscored the Acme rockets and crescendos (symphonies? concertos/i?) played behind? coyote crashes. You were probably just too giddy about Elmer Fudd's constant misfortunes to notice. Bugs Bunny on Broadway — led by Cleveland Orchestra guest-conductor George Daugherty — brings the music from classic Warner Brothers cartoons from the background right into the audience's lap. The nostalgic trip down memory lane features the antics of Bugs, Elmer, and company projected on an overhead screen as the ensemble plays tunes from classic Bugs Bunny episodes like "What's Opera, Doc?" and "Rabbit of Seville." Take a walk into the past at 7:30 tonight and 2 and 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue. Tickets are $32 to $83. Call 216-231-1111 or visit www.clevelandorchestra.org.
Fri., Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 8, 2 & 7:30 p.m., 2007