Get to Know Krista B. of Creedence Clearwater Remixed!

When Krista Buccellato was growing up in Queens, she could only watch two things on television: classic movies and musicals. It’s no surprise then that she has performed in almost a dozen productions of musicals, including the national tour of Phantom of the Opera and Lyric Stage Company’s production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

This fall, Buccellato brings her energetic voice and dancing skills to something completely different: Creedence Clearwater Remixed!, a new Cabaret celebrating music’s pioneers of country rock. She and her husband, Adam, are good friends with the show’s creator, Vaden Thurgood, and the pair have been part of the show since its early stages.  

We sat down with Buccellato to talk about her favorite part of Creedence Clearwater Remixed!, what she’s learned from her experiences performing in musicals like Into the Woods, and what she has most enjoyed about her time in Sarasota so far.

Before getting involved with this show, what did you know about Creedence Clearwater Revival? Was there anything that you were surprised to learn about the band?

It's funny, before being part of Creedence Clearwater Remixed!, I can confidently say that I knew pretty much every song in the show. I just didn't know they were written or covered by CCR! I was also surprised to learn that they were the only band to gross more money than the Beatles for two years running!

Do you have a personal connection to any of the songs in the show?

Does being obsessed with Bette Midler's iconic Hocus Pocus rendition of "Spell On You" count as a personal connection? Haha, maybe not. But I absolutely have a connection now. It's been so amazing to perform these songs with my best buds and my husband, Adam. He's the dreamboat who sings "Centerfield” in the show.

What is your favorite song to perform in Creedence Clearwater Remixed! and why?

It's so hard to choose! If I had to, I'd narrow it down to two. I love singing our arrangement of "Who'll Stop the Rain," and performing "Centerfield" is an absolute blast. I love an up-tempo song with some clever choreography!

This marks your first time performing at FST. What are you most enjoying about your time so far? How have audiences been responding to the show?

The audiences here have been wonderful. They bring the energy to every show! Honestly, it has been a dream to perform with this cast. I'm clearly biased, but they're the best and most talented humans I know. Also, getting to meet and work with our Stage Manager, Sam Powers, has been amazing. His care and expertise have made us feel so supported.

You have extensive experience performing in musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd. What did you take away from those experiences that you bring to your performance in Creedence Clearwater Remixed!?

Every show I've performed with has been a unique opportunity to tell a story—whether that's about an Opera Ghost, a vengeful barber, or the highs and lows of an iconic rock band. Each night is a chance to share space with the cast, crew, and audience that can never be exactly reproduced. It's one of my favorite things about live theatre.

Is there anything about you that audiences would be surprised to learn?

I'm a huge bookworm! I also have a talent for rhyming that I often use to write silly parody songs for my friends and family.

Creedence Clearwater Remixed! is now playing in FST's Goldstein Cabaret. For tickets and more information, click here.

Header Image: Vaden Thurgood, Adam Machart, Krista Buccellato, and Dan Faber. Photo by John Jones.