With performers scattered throughout New Zealand, chart music being prepared in Australia and the band based in Dunedin, organising the first of three concerts to raise money for the planned Queenstown Memorial Hall upgrade has been no mean feat.
However, producer and performer Simon Green said he was confident the event, Reach Out for the Memorial Hall, would hit all the right notes.
The show was billed as featuring three "stunning acts of entertainment" bringing together some of the greatest songs of all time, a world-class band and four "top notch vocalists", led by Mr Green.
Joining Mr Green would be Chris Powley, of Auckland, Russell Harrison, of Rotorua, and Douglas Kamo, of Dunedin.
Although the quartet had performed all over New Zealand and with each other over the years, Saturday would be the first time they had all shared the same stage at the same time.
"We've all been great mates for over a decade now, but are also very busy at opposite ends of the country with a variety of other event and entertainment commitments, so the chance to come together and perform so many of our favourite tunes is going to be a real blast," Mr Green said.
However, putting together a show of this magnitude "by satellite" came with its challenges.
"I've compiled and cast the show from here in Queenstown.
"All the charts for the band have been written in Australia."
The group came together with the band in Dunedin at the weekend and had spent all week rehearsing the choreography there, before returning to Queenstown to pack in the hall and get ready to stage the show tomorrow night.
The performance is supported by the Main Event All Star Band led by musical director Stuart Walker, who was musical director for the Queenstown productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Les Miserables and most recently Dunedin's Big Night In concert at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Mr Green said he was overwhelmed by the level of support pledged for the concert.
"I made a few approaches ...to businesses for support with some of the big cost items such as production, accommodation, catering, advertising and graphic design and everyone I approached not only said yes, but many have contributed even more than has been asked for both in cash and kind."
Less than a week after sending an email advising tickets were available, half the tables had sold.
"After being involved with the Memorial Hall Trust for months now, it has been extremely reassuring to see the level of support the project has among the community, and has renewed all our energies as we continue to work on other fundraising initiatives and apply to major funding bodies for the bulk of the financial support we need.
"The Memorial Hall is one of the true anchors for our community.
"It is where so many of us come together to be entertained, to celebrate, to meet, to mourn and to perform.
"Over the past 15 years, I've done all these things in the hall and putting this show together is my small contribution towards not only ensuring the hall can continue to serve our needs well into the future, but to also make some stunning improvements that will make it infinitely more usable and a much more pleasant and welcoming venue in which to come together."
Be there
When: Tomorrow.
Where: Queenstown Memorial Hall.
Doors open: 7pm.
Show starts: 8pm.
Prices: Cabaret seating (SOLD OUT); Mezzanine seating (theatre style) - $59 per ticket.
Proceeds: Queenstown Memorial Hall Trust.
For more information and bookings visit www.mainevent.co.nz
