What’s up at the Bowl?

The rabbit's animated but the orchestra's real in "Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II" at the Hollywood Bowl.

Ladies and gentlemen: start your picnic planning. From Bugs Bunny to Tchaikovsky, the upcoming summer season at the Hollywood Bowl promises a multi-course feast for every musical appetite.

Featured artists include the L.A. Philharmonic’s maestro Gustavo Dudamel, who’ll be conducting the orchestra and soloists in Verdi’s Aida and Requiem.

Other superstars on the roster include Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Willie Nelson and Itzhak Perlman. Yo-Yo Ma plays against type as part of Goat Rodeo.

Josh Groban is headlining a series of July 4th Fireworks Spectaculars, while She & Him, Pink Martini, Blue Man Group and Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers will be making appearances this summer as well. Also on tap: Kristen Chenoweth, Queen Latifah and ABBA Fest, featuring the tribute band Waterloo.

This year’s musical is Chicago. And everyone, regardless of vocal ability, can get in on the act at the Grease and Sound of Music sing-alongs (costumes optional.)

New and renewed subscriptions are available now. Tickets for five events or more go on sale March 19, with single ticket sales beginning in early May. Check out the 2013 schedule here and start planning your summer Bowl excursions. After all, in the words of the great Bugs Bunny himself, “the acoustics are poifect.”

Posted 1/30/13