Kathleen Farrar Buccleugh has come a long way since playing the Magic Mirror in a 7th-grade production of “Snow White.” She’s sung on major stages, performing opera, musical theater and more. Coming up for her is “The Diary of Anne Frank,” an Opera Birmingham production of the one-woman opera starring Buccleugh and based on the diary Frank wrote from 1942 to 1944. The show has two performances this weekend at the Dorothy Day Jemison Theatre at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, but before she takes to the stage, Buccleugh told us a bit about herself, her musical background and much more.
Tell me a little about yourself.
I grew up in Auburn, Alabama, and left to go to college in Tuscaloosa. I earned both my bachelor’s and my master’s in vocal performance there. That education has been invaluable in my career. My husband and I moved to Birmingham from Tuscaloosa in 2013. He’s a creative writing and film teacher at ASFA and also the cinema programming director at Sidewalk Cinema.
I spent a lot of time traveling to perform in other states (and even Europe) before COVID hit. The performing opportunities were few and far between 2020-2022 and even 2023, but a silver lining for being forced to stay home during that time was I finally started to immerse myself in our arts community here in Birmingham. The talent, artistry and passion here is just staggering. I’ve been fortunate to work with Opera Birmingham, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Red Mountain Theatre and Birmingham Music Club. And I have been singing in the Canterbury Methodist sanctuary choir since I moved to Birmingham.
What’s your first memory of being on stage?
In 7th grade, I was in my first proper play, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” I played the part of the Magic Mirror. It was everything an introvert desperately tries to avoid. Little by little (like, incredibly slowly, YEARS later), I started to open up and find comfort in being on stage.
What’s your favorite role you’ve played or show you’ve been in?
- I loved performing Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro.” She’s one feisty lady.
- I also love performing Young Alyce in Tom Cipullo’s “Glory Denied,” which I first performed with Opera Birmingham in 2019 and have performed three times since (out of state).
- And I love, love, love musicals. Some of my favorite moments on stage have been with Red Mountain Theatre (“Les Misérables,” “The Secret Garden,” “Back to Broadway,” Human Rights New Works Festival).
Who is your favorite composer?
Anything by a baroque-era composer. Mozart. Richard Strauss. But I love a lot of current opera composers, too. Oh, and Sondheim. Duh.
Do you have a favorite show?
Impossible to name only one, of course. But some favorites are “Sweeney Todd,” “Big Fish,” “The Sound of Music” and “Les Misérables.”
Do you have a favorite song from a show?
Definitely depends on the day, but today, let’s say, “Sunday” from “Sunday in the Park with George.” Or “Make Our Garden Grow” from “Candide.”
What is a role you wish you will or could have played?
I hope I can sing Sophie in Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” one day.
Tell me about “Anne Frank.” How did this role come about for you?
Keith Wolfe-Hughes, former general director of Opera Birmingham, reached out to me to offer the role. I had sung with Opera Birmingham several times, and I was honored he thought to contact me about the show. I had not heard of this opera adaptation of her diary, so this was a brand-new work to me. It’s also my first one-character show. I have never experienced something like this! It’s so emotionally and musically intense, with plenty of lighthearted moments — and being the one carrying the story in that way is both exciting and terrifying.
Can you talk about the opera and what people can expect?
It’s quite short! People probably think of operas being hours and hours long, but this is a short and sweet 55 minutes or so. Originally written in Russian, we’re doing the English adaptation with English supertitles for extra clarity on the libretto. Opera is not just about suits and gowns. Sure, wear those if you want to. But you can also wear jeans. You should feel welcome to attend, no matter who you are or how you’re dressed. And feel free to react. You can laugh, cry, whatever feels right as you experience the story.
How different pressure-wise is it performing a role like this that many, if not most, in the audience already have a preconceived notion about. Is that tough?
The audience may have a preconceived notion of what Anne Frank was like based on her writings, but it’s quite a different experience to see those words brought to life. And if they have seen the movie, they may expect a certain realization of her character, but the music also changes the experience entirely. I think that all the care our entire team has put into honoring Anne’s character will be evident from the second Maestro Lester Seigel gives the first downbeat.
Any great advice you’ve been given by a director or anyone else about being on stage?
The greatest, and most challenging, charge: Visualize yourself removing your ego from your body, as if it’s a little box or trinket. Then visualize yourself placing it on a shelf and walking away. You don’t retrieve it until you’re done with rehearsal, the performance, whatever it is you’re doing. This gives you space to get your own fears and self-criticisms out of the way and to make room for your character to sit deep within you.
Tell me about a time something went wrong on stage.
I was singing Anne Egerman in “A Weekend in the Country,” and those words sure did just leave my brain entirely. There was a lot of gibberish coming out of my mouth for far too long.
Tell me something people might be surprised to know about you.
I used to be managing editor for a trucking lifestyle magazine.
What podcasts do you listen to?
You’re opening a can of worms here. The list is long. I listen to a lot of news podcasts, but outside of that, I love “Radiolab,” “Criminal,” “Science Vs.,” “Smosh Tells Reddit Stories.”
What’s the last TV series you binged?
“Adolescence” on Netflix. I’m also currently rewatching “Fringe.”
What’s the last movie you saw?
I saw “Every Little Thing” at Sidewalk Cinema. It was a very sweet documentary. I love that we have a movie theatre that shows art films and has reasonable ticket prices.
What’s next for you?
April 27: Show with Caleb Clark at Terrific New Theatre
May 4: Mozart’s “Requiem” at First United Methodist in Montgomery
May 11: Music4Romania concert at Baptist Church of the Covenant.
“The Diary of Anne Frank,” April 5-6 at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Presented by Opera Birmingham.
