"The Civic Theatre is a much-loved community facility and this celebration will be a genuine partnership between the council and local residents.
"Over the generations we've watched our kids growing up on the Civic Theatre stage, so it holds a special place in the hearts of Rotorua people. We've also watched some of the country's and the world's stars - like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Paul Potts and the late Rob Guest, and of course our own Sir Howard Morrison for whom the wider complex is now named.
"'Celebrate 75' will provide an exciting opportunity for local singers, dancers and other entertainers to showcase their talents to the community while celebrating the big birthday.
"Performers will have creative licence to produce a 10 minute bracket from the era of their choice. It could be a 1950s rock 'n' roll tribute, or a 1970s dance routine from Grease or the 1980s Fame phenomenon, or something more classical - the options are endless. It'll be a truly spectacular event to celebrate one of the city's most respected entertainment venues, in true Rotorua style."
Council performing arts director, Richard Marshall, said 'Celebrate 75' would supersede previously announced plans for a combined performing arts and culinary event.
"The occasion of the 75th birthday of our Civic Theatre in July was just too good an opportunity to miss for a nostalgic presentation of our performing arts. So it was decided to focus this year on a big variety concert, while showcasing our district's culinary achievements can be revisited a little further down the track," he said.
Those wishing to be involved in the 'Celebrate 75' community variety concert need to complete an expression-of-interest form and nominate which decade they want their performance to represent.
Forms are available from the Rotorua Lakes Council Customer Centre or by contacting Richard Marshall by email on richard.marshall@rdc.govt.nz or by phone at (07) 348 4199.
Forms need to be submitted to the council by 31 March 2015.
