Well, my car is now in much worse shape than it was before. I don't know what the right bulb size is, but it turns out they're not 74s. I don't think that removing the stereo or lower trim piece is necessary to remove the CC faceplate; as far as I can tell, there is nothing to be gained by exposing the underside of the CC. It is a much more awkward space to work in than it seems; a stubby phillips-head and one of those 90-degree-bend screwdriver things are very useful. To get a better visual of the recessed screws, I used a small mirror. After removing 4 seemingly pointless screws, the CC did not pull out as it should. Prying with a tiny (really really tiny) flathead cracked a 2" chunk off the faceplate; I don't recommend it. The temp. selector and blower speed lever covers can be safely pried off with a flathead, although they look like they were designed to be laterally compressed.

Hopefully this knowledge will save you a cracked faceplate.