>> "VISITING, WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

>> HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER.

GET READY FOR AN ADVENTURE AND FOR A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF PASADENA IN THIS BEAUTIFUL, LUSH, ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR PLACE.

THIS IS A VERY HISTORIC PLACE AND A VERY IMPORTANT PLACE.

AND HERE TO TELL US ABOUT ITS HISTORY AND ABOUT ITS IMPORTANCE, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY, MATT.

>> MY NAME IS MATT MORGAN.

I'M THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD FOR THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

>> THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

AND WE ARE AT A PLACE THAT HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

TELL EVERYBODY EXACTLY WHERE WE'RE STANDING RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE STANDING IN THE CENTER OF THE FORMER AMBASSADOR COLLEGE CAMPUS.

IT STARTED IN 1947 IN THAT BUILDING RIGHT UP ON THE HILL.

IT EXPANDED FROM THERE, THROUGH THE '60S AND '70S INTO A 34-ACRE CAMPUS THAT YOU SEE TODAY.

>> OKAY, 34 ACRES.

NOW, THIS COLLEGE WAS STARTED BY HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG, WHO I REMEMBER MY GRANDFATHER BACK IN TENNESSEE LISTENING TO ON THE RADIO EVERY NIGHT.

>> YES.

HE WAS AN ADVERTISING MAN WHO BECAME INTERESTED IN CHURCH AFFAIRS AND STARTED THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD IN THE EARLY '30S, OR THE MID '30S, LATE '30S, AND WANTED TO COME TO PASADENA AND FIND A PLACE FOR A COLLEGE, AND THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP HERE.

>> OKAY.

YOU STARTED IN 1947, AND PART OF THE CAMPUS WAS UP HERE.

THESE BEAUTIFUL OLD PASADENA HOMES, WHICH WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE CAMPUS, AND THE CAMPUS ACTUALLY GREW OVER A 30- OR 40-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME TO INCLUDE HOW MANY BUILDINGS ON THIS 30 ACRES?

>> I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY ON THIS 34.

SEVERAL DOZEN ON THIS SIDE OF THE FREEWAY.

>> OKAY, AND THERE WERE ABOUT A THOUSAND STUDENTS HERE YEAR 'ROUND GOING TO SCHOOL AND WALKING ALL OVER THIS BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS.

>> IT WAS A BUSY PLACE, CRISSCROSSING EVERYWHERE, THE CAMPUS, THE STUDENTS.

AND THESE WERE WOMEN'S RESIDENCES UP HERE ON THE HILL.

THESE TWO LARGE BUILDINGS, MAYFAIR AND TERRACE VILLA, THEY WERE USED BY THE LADIES.

>> AND, BOY, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE HISTORY OF THIS PLACE.

LOOK AT THESE TREES RIGHT HERE.

YOU CAN TELL THESE WERE OLD HOMES WHEN THEY BECAME PART OF THE CAMPUS.

>> YES.

>> NOW, THE CAMPUS LEFT HERE IN?

>> 1990.

IT WAS CONSOLIDATED WITH OUR SISTER CAMPUS IN TEXAS.

AND FROM THAT TIME FORWARD, THE CAMPUS HAS BEEN USED BY THE CHURCH.

>> AND IT'S BEEN KIND OF QUIET.

THERE ARE NOT MANY STUDENTS OUT HERE TODAY.

>> NOT TODAY.

>> AND AS BEAUTIFUL AS THIS OLD PART OF THE CAMPUS IS HERE, OUR FOCUS TODAY IS RIGHT OVER HERE.

THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE AMBASSADOR COLLEGE CAMPUS: THE AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM.

TELL US ABOUT THIS MAGNIFICENT STRUCTURE.

>> THIS AUDITORIUM WAS COMPLETED IN 1974.

AND IT WAS OPENED FOR THE COLLEGE AND THE CHURCH USE.

AND AFTER THAT, IT WAS SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY FOR A CONCERT SERIES FOR 20 YEARS.

>> I'VE BEEN TO CONCERTS IN THE AUDITORIUM.

IT IS A MAGNIFICENT PLACE, AND IT WAS ALSO PART OF THE DREAM OF HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG, WASN'T IT?

>> THAT IT WAS.

IT WAS THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE CAMPUS, AND IT WAS MADE WITH BEAUTY AND WITH ACOUSTICS WHICH ARE ENVIABLE BY CONCERT HALLS AROUND THE WORLD.

AND IT WAS USED AS AN OUTREACH TO SHARE THE ARTS, THE PERFORMING ARTS, WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> FROM THE VERY EARLIEST DAYS, THERE WERE THESE WONDERFUL SUBSCRIPTION SERIES, SERIES THAT WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THAT BROUGHT THE GREATEST NAMES IN THE ARTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD HERE TO PERFORM IN THE AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM.

AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE THIS AMAZING 11-MINUTE FILM PUT TOGETHER, I GUESS, BY THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

>> IT WAS NOT THE CHURCH.

IT WAS PUT TOGETHER BY SOMEBODY WHO WAS A FORMER CHURCH MEMBER AND WORKED AT THE COLLEGE AND WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND THE CHURCH FOR MANY YEARS.

>> IT WAS NARRATED, IT'S NARRATED BY MICHAEL YORK.

AND IT'S AN AMAZING FILM, WHICH ACTUALLY GIVES A VERY CONCISE OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF THE AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM AND WHY IT HAS BEEN, OVER THE YEARS, SO IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO PASADENA, BUT TO ALL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

LET'S LOOK AT THAT WONDERFUL FILM RIGHT NOW.

>> PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, IS INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED AS A LEADING CULTURAL AND EDUCATION CENTER.

IN KEEPING WITH THAT REPUTATION, THE AMBASSADOR COLLEGE CAMPUS HAS BEEN AN OASIS OF SERENE BEAUTY IN THE CITY OF ROSES FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY.

AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM, THE WORLD FAMOUS CENTERPIECE OF THE CAMPUS, CAME TO FRUITION BECAUSE OF THE VISION OF ONE MAN, HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG, FOUNDER AND CHANCELLOR OF AMBASSADOR COLLEGE.

FROM THE FIRST TURN OF THE SHOVEL IN 1972 TO ITS COMPLETION IN 1974, THIS AMAZING FACILITY BECAME THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE AMBASSADOR CAMPUS AND OF PASADENA.

AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM RISES MAJESTICALLY 80 FEET ABOVE A PRISTINE REFLECTING POOL.

THE EGRET FOUNTAIN GRACING THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM WAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY THE DISTINGUISHED BRITISH SCULPTOR, SIR DAVID WYNN.

THE AUDITORIUM IS OF MODERN CLASSIC DESIGN, WITH EXTERIOR WALLS OF DARK GREEN BRAZILIAN GRANITE SURROUNDED BY A COLONNADE OF 70-FOOT HIGH CONCRETE AND SPARKLING QUARTZ COLUMNS.

THIS ELEGANT INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL CENTER COMBINES RARE BUILDING MATERIALS FROM EXOTIC LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

THE WALLS OF THE GRAND LOBBY ARE OF SOFT, GLOWING TURKISH AND PERSIAN ROSE ONYX, THE LARGEST INSTALLATION OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD.

THE BRILLIANT BRONZE-TIERED CRYSTAL CHANDELIER COMPLEMENTS THE EXQUISITE INTERIOR.

THE LUXURIOUS ONE-PIECE PURE WOOL CARPET OF THE GRAND LOBBY HAS A DESIGN OF AN ABSTRACT REFLECTION OF THE CHANDELIER'S PRISM.

THE STAIRWAY AND BALCONY LEVEL HANDRAILS WERE CRAFTED OF SHEDUA, THE RAREST OF WOODS FROM AFRICA.

THE UNDER-CASINGS OF THE BALCONY AND STAIRCASE ARE COVERED WITH 24-CARAT GOLD LEAF.

THIS MAGNIFICENT BUILDING WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GIFTS OF MEMBERS OF THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

THE 1262 SEAT AUDITORIUM WAS DESIGNED FOR THE FINEST PROJECTION AND BALANCE OF SOUND.

THE WALLS IN THE MAIN SEATING AREAS ARE OF BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD WITH VERTICAL INLAYS OF BURMESE TEAKWOOD.

SUSPENDED IN THE MAIN HALL ARE 37 GILDED ACOUSTICAL CLOUDS ABOVE THE MAIN SEATING AREA, ACROSS THE PROSCENIUM, AND OVER THE STAGE.

SUPERB ACOUSTICS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY A SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM OF OPERABLE SOUND SURFACES AND BAFFLES.

AS A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM IS UNEQUALED.

DURING THE YEARS OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, THE ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, AND ARTISANS EXECUTED A DEGREE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT MANY BELIEVED HAD DISAPPEARED.

BEHIND AMBASSADOR'S INTERIOR DECOR RESTS AN IMPRESSIVE STORE OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT: SYSTEMS FOR AUDIO, LIGHTING, AND STAGE OPERATIONS.

THE LOWER LOUNGE IN THE FOUNDER'S ROOM ARE PERFECT SETTINGS FOR RECEPTIONS.

THE GREEN ROOM IS LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL, ADJACENT TO THE TWO CAST DRESSING ROOMS AND TWO ELEGANTLY APPOINTED STAR DRESSING ROOMS.

SINCE OPENING ITS DOORS IN 1974, AUDIENCES AND PERFORMERS ALIKE HAVE PRAISED AMBASSADOR AS ONE OF THE FINEST CONCERT HALLS IN THE WORLD.

DURING ITS FIRST 20 SEASONS, MORE THAN 2,500 CONCERTS ATTRACTED OVER TWO AND A QUARTER MILLION PEOPLE TO THIS CULTURAL GEM.

UNSURPASSED IN ITS REPUTATION FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, SUPERB ACOUSTICS, AND FELICITOUS DESIGN, AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM HAS ESTABLISHED A CULTURAL LEGACY OF ENDURING VALUE.

KNOWN TO MANY AS THE WEST COAST'S PREMIERE CONCERT HALL, AMBASSADOR FEATURED A VERITABLE WHO'S WHO OF DIGNITARIES AND PERFORMING ARTS LUMINARIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, GREAT ARTISTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS BRINGING LIFE, LAUGHTER, MUSIC, AND MEMORIES.

VLADIMIR HOROWITZ CHOSE AMBASSADOR FOR HIS FIRST WEST COAST APPEARANCE IN DECADES.

PIANIST ANDRE WATTS WAS ANOTHER OF THE WORLD CLASS KEYBOARD ARTISTS TO GRACE ITS HAMBURG STEINWAY CONCERT GRAND, AS WELL AS MAESTRO ARTHUR RUBENSTEIN, THE CELEBRATED PIANIST AND BELOVED HUMANITARIAN, WHO PLAYED THE FIRST SOLO RECITAL IN THE HALL IN JANUARY, 1975.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE INAUGURAL CONCERT IN APRIL, 1974, FEATURED CARLO MARIA GIULINI, AND THE VIENNA SYMPHONY.

MANY OF THE WORLD'S GREAT ORCHESTRAS GRACED THE AMBASSADOR STAGE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF EQUALLY FAMOUS CONDUCTORS.

PASADENA WAS HOST TO THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA WITH RICARDO MUTI, AND ALSO UNDER THE BATON OF EUGENE ORMANDY.

CONCERT GOERS THRILLED TO SEE COMPOSER AARON COPLAND DIRECT THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY AS JIMMY STEWART PROVIDED THE NARRATION.

AMBASSADOR AUDIENCES WERE LIKEWISE AMAZED AT THE MAGICAL COMBINATION OF HERBERT VON KARAJAN AND THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC.

THE GREAT ARTISTS IN THE WORLD OF BALLET AND DANCE ALSO FOUND AMBASSADOR TO BE THE PERFECT SHOWCASE FOR THEIR ART, RANGING FROM THE DANCE THEATER OF HARLEM AND THE BULGARIAN NATIONAL FOLK ENSEMBLE TO BALLET SUPERSTARS VALERY AND GALINA PANOV, AND WHO COULD FORGET RUDOLPH NUREYEV?

THE INCOMPARABLE MIME ARTIST, MARCEL MARCEAU, ALSO CHARMED AMBASSADOR AUDIENCES.

A POPULAR VENUE FOR PRODUCTION OF STAGE SHOWS AND TELEVISION SPECIALS, AMBASSADOR HOSTED A COLORFUL SPECTRUM OF STARS LIKE BURL IVES, GENE KELLY, LUCILLE BALL, NOT TO MENTION GENE AND LUCILLE TOGETHER, AND THEN THERE WAS BING CROSBY, BOB HOPE, AND YES, BING AND BOB ON THE ROAD TOGETHER AGAIN.

THE FIRST LADIES OF BLUES: ELLA FITZGERALD, SARAH VAUGHN, AND PEARL BAILEY ALSO VISITED AMBASSADOR, AND YES, ALL THREE OF THEM TOGETHER.

A TYPICAL AMBASSADOR CONCERT SEASON OFFERED ABOUT 100 EVENTS ON MORE THAN 30 SERIES.

ARTISTS WHO PERFORMED AT AMBASSADOR WERE THE ESTABLISHED LEGENDS AND THE BRIGHTEST STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, REPRESENTING A WIDE RANGE OF MUSICAL GENRES: CLASSICAL, EARLY MUSIC AND CHAMBER, SOLO PIANO, OPERA, GUITAR, BIG BAND, POPULAR, COUNTRY, FOLK, AND JAZZ.

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI ONCE SAID, "THE PUBLIC IN YOUR WONDERFUL HALL MADE ME FEEL WARM AND HAPPY.

I COULD HAVE SUNG ALL NIGHT LONG."

INDEED, WORLD CLASS SINGERS LIKE PLACIDO DOMINGO, BEVERLY SILLS AND DAME JANET BAKER CONSIDERED AMBASSADOR'S PERFECT ACOUSTICS AN INTEGRAL PART OF A PERFECT PERFORMANCE.

KATHLEEN BATTLE SIMPLY WROTE, "YOUR ACOUSTICS ARE A DREAM."

HEARTFELT COMPLEMENTS FLOWED NOT ONLY FROM OPERA ROYALTY, BUT ALSO FROM UNCOMPROMISING JAZZ LEGENDS LIKE THE SUBLIME SCAT SINGER HIMSELF, MEL TORME.

♪ TOMMY DORSEY HAD A GREAT BIG HIT ♪ ♪ OPUS ONE WAS THE NAME OF IT ♪ ♪ WHAT FUN ♪ OPUS NUMBER ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE ♪ ♪ SHA-DO-DO-DI-DO-DO ♪ OPUS ONE [ APPLAUSE ] >> AREN'T YOU NICE?

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

THANK YOU.

IT'S ONCE AGAIN AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT TO BE IN MY FAVORITE VENUE, THE BEAUTIFUL AMBASSADOR.

>> COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF AMBASSADOR PERFORMING ARTS, FEATURING PRESENTATION OF CONCERTS IN COOPERATION WITH NUMEROUS LOCAL SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND ORGANIZATIONS, HOSTING ENSEMBLES FROM SISTER CITIES, AND EVEN THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED BARBERSHOP CHORUS, MASTERS OF HARMONY.

♪ SOMEBODY BET ON THE BAY ♪ SOMEBODY BET ON THE BAY ♪ SOMEBODY BET ON THE BAY IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT WE SHAPE OUR DWELLINGS, AND AFTERWARDS OUR DWELLINGS SHAPE US.

WITHOUT THE DYNAMIC PRESENCE OF AN AUDIENCE ALIVE WITH ANTICIPATION, AMBASSADOR IS INCOMPLETE, A SOUNDLESS STAGE AND EMPTY SEATS.

IT IS FOR THE AUDIENCE THAT A PRICELESS TREASURE LIKE AMBASSADOR OPENS ITS DOORS AND TURNS ON ITS LIGHTS.

IT IS THE THOUSANDS WHO WILL FILL THE AUDITORIUM WITH THEIR APPRECIATION AND JOY WHO ADD THE FINISHING TOUCH TO THE AMBASSADOR AMBIENCE, NURTURING THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

AT THE DAWN OF A NEW MILLENNIUM, THIS INCOMPARABLE JEWEL WITH ITS VAST CULTURAL LEGACY IS POISED FOR RENAISSANCE FOR THE CITY OF PASADENA, FOR ALL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF CONCERT GOERS YET TO EXPERIENCE THE UNSURPASSED STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE THAT IS AMBASSADOR.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FILM THAT SO WELL SUMS UP THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS AUDITORIUM TO THE CULTURAL LIFE HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SINCE IT OPENED IN 1974.

WHAT'S INTERESTING, THOUGH, IS THAT THIS AUDITORIUM HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 1995.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO PERFORMANCES.

THE PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO INSIDE AND LISTEN TO GREAT ORCHESTRAS, TO GREAT MUSICIANS, TO GREAT SINGERS, TO GREAT MUSIC SINCE IT CLOSED IN 1995.

>> FOR THE PUBLIC, THAT'S TRUE.

>> SO WHEN THE CAMPUS MOVED, THE AUDITORIUM BASICALLY SHUT DOWN AS WELL.

>> YES.

EXCEPT FOR USE BY THE CHURCH, IT WAS CLOSED FOR CONCERT SERIES, YES.

>> RIGHT, SO THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONCERTS IN THERE IN ALMOST 10 YEARS.

>> CORRECT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'VE GOT TWO MORE ADDITIONS TO OUR TOUR HERE.

WE'LL EXPLAIN WHY THEY'RE HERE IN JUST A MINUTE, BUT BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO RIGHT NOW IS ALLOW US TO GO BACK INSIDE THIS MAGNIFICENT AUDITORIUM.

>> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE A LOT OF MEMORIES OF GOING TO CONCERTS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL AUDITORIUM, AND I'M SURE THEY'RE INTERESTED IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE NOW AS WELL.

WE'RE INSIDE THIS MAGNIFICENT LOBBY.

AND LET'S GO OVER SOME OF THE FACTS AND FIGURES AGAIN, MATT.

WE'RE STANDING UNDER THIS AMAZING CHANDELIER.

>> THIS IS 1390 PIECES OF GERMAN CRYSTAL.

AND IT'S SUSPENDED ON A CABLE, CAN BE LOWERED TO THE FLOOR, AND IT DOMINATES THE LOBBY, OBVIOUSLY, AND THE REFLECTION OF THE CARPET, IT'S MADE TO LOOK LIKE IT'S REFLECTING, THE LIGHT'S COMING THROUGH THE CRYSTALS ONTO THE CARPET.

>> RIGHT, I REMEMBERED THAT FROM THE FILM.

SO THIS CARPET WAS HANDMADE AND DESIGNED TO SPECIFICALLY LOOK LIKE IT WAS A REFLECTION OF THE CHANDELIER.

>> YES.

>> THEN THE WALL, AGAIN.

THIS STONE IS?

>> THIS IS ROSE ONYX.

IT'S A STONE THAT WAS QUARRIED IN TURKEY AND IRAN.

AND IT'S THE LARGEST INSTALLATION AT THE TIME IN THE WORLD.

>> WOW.

AND THESE, I DON'T REMEMBER THESE BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THE FILM, BUT I KNOW THAT THEY'RE HISTORIC AS WELL.

>> YES.

THEY ARE BACCARAT CRYSTAL CANDELABRA, AND THEY WERE ONCE USED BY THE SHAH OF IRAN IN THE 2,500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE.

>> WOW.

HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

>> WE ACTUALLY BOUGHT THEM FROM HARRODS DEPARTMENT STORE.

HERBERT ARMSTRONG BOUGHT THEM FROM HARRODS.

>> IN LONDON.

>> IN LONDON, YES.

>> WOW.

THESE ARE JUST SPECTACULAR.

AND YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN IN THIS LOBBY MANY A NIGHT WHEN THE PLACE WAS FILLED WITH ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT, PEOPLE COMING IN WITH THEIR TICKETS TO GO INTO THE AUDITORIUM FOR A GRAND PERFORMANCE.

>> IT WAS ALIVE.

IT WAS A PLACE WHERE THERE WAS LOTS OF ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT FOR THE UPCOMING CONCERTS.

IT WAS A WONDERFUL PLACE.

>> WELL, LET'S GO INTO THE AUDITORIUM RIGHT NOW AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING GOING ON IN THERE.

MAYBE THERE'S A PERFORMANCE GOING ON UNSCHEDULED.

INSIDE THIS AMAZING AUDITORIUM, YOU'VE GOT IT ALL LIT UP.

AND, BOY, IT IS -- YOU KNOW, YOU CAN EVEN TELL JUST BY THE SOUND OF OUR VOICES HOW WONDERFUL THE ACOUSTICS ARE IN THIS PLACE.

>> YES.

WEST OF CARNEGIE HALL, THIS WAS SAID TO BE THE FINEST ACOUSTICAL BUILDING IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> SO WHEN IT WAS BUILT, IT WAS BUILT WITH THE IDEA OF IT BEING ONE OF THE FINEST CONCERT HALLS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> IT WAS BUILT FOR COLLEGE AND CHURCH USE, BUT IT TURNED OUT SO WELL THAT WE HAD TO SHARE IT.

>> AND THESE PANELS UP ON THE CEILING, THIS WAS ALL PART OF IT, WASN'T IT, THOSE SOUND PANELS?

>> THOSE ARE ACOUSTICAL CLOUDS, AND THEY ARE A HARDWOOD COVERED WITH, IN THIS CASE, GOLD LEAF TO MAKE THEM BEAUTIFUL.

AND THEY REFLECT THE SOUND BACK TO THE RIGHT PLACE IN THE AUDIENCE.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN THE PLACE EMPTY, BUT IT'S GOT A WONDERFUL FEELING EVEN JUST RIGHT NOW.

LET'S CALL OUR GUYS OUT FROM BEHIND THE CURTAINS HERE.

COME ON OUT HERE, FELLAS.

WE'VE GOT THEM HIDING BACK BEHIND HERE.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> MY NAME IS VANCE GILLESS.

I WORK FOR THE CHURCH HERE ON THE CAMPUS.

>> DOING WHAT?

>> I'M A FACILITIES DIRECTOR HERE NOW.

>> FACILITIES DIRECTOR.

>> HI, I'M MILAN ZIMA.

I'M THE HOUSE MANAGER.

>> OKAY.

>> TAKING CARE OF THIS BUILDING.

>> NOW, THAT'S WHAT'S INTERESTING, TO BE A HOUSE MANAGER OF A BUILDING THAT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH GOING ON INSIDE OF IT NOW.

WHAT KIND OF WORK DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO KEEP THIS PLACE IN SHAPE?

>> WELL, I MAKE SURE THAT THE PLUMBING IS IN GOOD SHAPE, THAT THERE'S NO LEAKS.

THIS IS ONE OF MY FUNCTIONS THAT I DO EVERY WEEK, AS WELL AS MAINTAINING THE WOODWORK, LOOKING AT IT SO NOTHING HAS SEPARATED, SO THAT IT'S ALL IN POSITION THE WAY IT WAS WHEN IT FIRST OPENED UP.

LIGHTING, I CHECK THE LIGHTS.

I MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONABLE, CHANGE BULBS.

AND THIS IS PRIMARILY WHAT I DO.

>> AND ISN'T ALMOST AS HARD TO KEEP A PLACE THAT'S EMPTY GOING AS IT IS?

IN FACT, IT'S PROBABLY HARDER, ISN'T IT, IN SOME WAYS?

>> IN SOME WAYS, IT'S PROBABLY HARDER, BECAUSE WHEN A PLACE IS FULLY UTILIZED, WELL, THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE HERE ALL THE TIME TO LET YOU KNOW IF THERE'S A PROBLEM THAT DEVELOPS.

IF, YOU KNOW, THE PLACE IS BASICALLY UNUSED, OF COURSE, MILAN DOES A GREAT JOB FOR US.

BUT IF THE PLACE IS UNUSED, THEN YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT A LOT CLOSER.

BUT WE DO KEEP THE AIR CONDITIONING RUNNING TO PRESERVE THE WOODWORK IN THE BUILDING.

>> REALLY?

>> WE KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE PLUMBING, LIKE HE SAID, AND THE CIRCULATING PUMPS FOR THE FOUNTAIN YOU SAW OUTSIDE.

ALL THAT'S WATCHED PRETTY CLOSELY BY OUR IN-HOUSE MAINTENANCE STAFF HERE.

>> WOW.

SO EVERYTHING HAS JUST KEPT GOING.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT IS SO INTERESTING ABOUT THIS PLACE, AND THEY MENTIONED IT IN THE FILM, THAT THE REAL BEAUTY AND WONDER OF THIS AUDITORIUM WAS NOT JUST IN THE ARCHITECTURE AND THE ACOUSTICS, BUT IN THE PERFORMANCES ONSTAGE AND THE AUDIENCES IN THE SEATS.

IT'S WHAT BROUGHT IT TO LIFE AND GAVE IT PURPOSE.

>> YES.

IT GAVE IT PURPOSE, AND WE'D LOVE TO SEE IT COME TO LIFE AND BREATHE AGAIN, SING AGAIN.

>> THAT'S WHAT THIS STORY REALLY IS ALL ABOUT.

OUTSIDE THE AUDITORIUM, NOW IT'S TIME TO INTRODUCE THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH US MOST OF THE DAY, BUT HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TO SAY.

BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT'S ALL GOING TO CHANGE RIGHT NOW.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.

>> HI, HUELL.

I'M DON NOLLAR.

I'M A CONSULTANT WITH WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

AND MY EMPHASIS RIGHT NOW IS CHAMPIONING THIS AUDITORIUM AND BRINGING IT BACK AGAIN.

>> OKAY.

NOW, THE SITUATION IS -- AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY, SUE.

>> SUE MOSSMAN, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PASADENA HERITAGE, THE LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION GROUP.

>> OKAY, AND OUR DILEMMA IS IS THAT THE AUDITORIUM HAS BASICALLY BEEN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

NO MORE CONCERTS AND EVERYTHING GOING ON, SINCE 1995.

THE CAMPUS HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR EVEN LONGER THAN THAT, AND THERE'S A PROBLEM HERE, BECAUSE THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD IS SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY TO KEEP ALL OF THIS INTACT, BUT THAT CAN'T GO ON FOREVER.

>> NO, IT CAN'T.

OBVIOUSLY, THE CHURCH NEEDS TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY, AND IT NEEDS TO SELL EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE AUDITORIUM.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO PRESERVE THIS AUDITORIUM, IT TAKES PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, IT TAKES PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO COME TOGETHER, AND WITH US WORK OUT A PLAN TO SAVE IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> SO YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY TO BUY THIS AUDITORIUM.

>> BASICALLY, THAT'S RIGHT.

AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PUTTING TOGETHER AN OPERATING STRUCTURE BECAUSE AFTER IT'S HERE AND AVAILABLE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO OPERATE IT.

SO WE'RE PUTTING THAT TOGETHER.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE PARKING.

AND THERE IS NO PARKING NOW FOR THE AUDITORIUM, SO THAT HAS TO BE PROVIDED.

THOSE ARE BIG HURDLES, BIG PROBLEMS TO SOLVE.

>> NOW, THERE ARE OTHER HURDLES TOO, SUE, BECAUSE PASADENA HERITAGE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS CAMPUS.

THIS IS A HISTORIC PLACE, AN IMPORTANT PLACE.

>> WELL, IT IS.

AND THE HISTORY GOES BACK FAR BEFORE THE CHURCH BEGAN TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY, BUT IT WAS THE CHURCH WHO BROUGHT THIS WONDERFUL PLACE TOGETHER AND HAS KEPT IS SO BEAUTIFULLY.

THE CURRENT PLAN INCLUDES ADDING A LOT OF NEW HOUSING ALONG THESE PARTICULAR SITES.

AND RIGHT THIS MINUTE, THE PLAN THAT'S ON THE TABLE INCLUDES PUTTING HOUSING WHERE THIS WONDERFUL AUDITORIUM STANDS TODAY.

>> YOU'RE KIDDING?

>> NO.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

I THOUGHT THE HOUSING WAS GOING TO BE ON PARTS OF THE CAMPUS, BUT THAT THE AUDITORIUM WOULD STILL BE THE CENTRAL PART OF WHATEVER HAPPENED.

>> WELL, IT WILL IN ALL OUR DREAMS IF WE CAN PUT THE RIGHT SOLUTION TOGETHER.

BUT IF WE CAN'T FIND ONE, THEN THE AUDITORIUM WON'T BE HERE ANYMORE, AND WE'LL ALL BE DEVASTATED TO LOSE THIS WONDERFUL CULTURAL RESOURCE.

>> WELL, NOW, WHAT'S THE CITY OF PASADENA DOING?

>> RIGHT THIS MINUTE, THE CITY OF PASADENA IS REVIEWING PLANS AND TRYING TO HELP US FIND A SOLUTION, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO STEP FORWARD AND PURCHASE THE PROPERTY.

SO THAT'S UP TO A COALITION OF GROUPS TO FIND THE RIGHT SOLUTION TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> SO WHAT DO WE DO?

NEED TO PUT A PHONE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN?

ANYBODY GOT AN EXTRA HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, CALL IN?

>> PLEASE DO.

>> BUT IT WON'T TAKE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

LET'S NOT GIVE THE WRONG MESSAGE.

>> HUELL, IT ISN'T GOING TO TAKE A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

I MEAN, THE SOLUTION TO THIS IS MUCH LESS THAN THAT.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT IT'S CHEAP, BUT EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS CAN SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

WE DON'T WANT TO DEVELOP HOUSING ON THIS SITE.

THAT WOULD BE A DISASTER.

>> ON THE SITE OF THE AUDITORIUM ITSELF.

>> ON THE SITE OF THE AUDITORIUM ITSELF.

>> BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE TEARING THIS DOWN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT'S THE KIND OF THING I THINK I MIGHT LAY DOWN IN FRONT OF THE BULLDOZER.

>> WELL, YOU'D BE RIGHT THERE WITH ME, HUELL.

AND IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT THIS BUILDING COST 11 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE MID 1970S, TO BUILD AN AUDITORIUM LIKE THIS TODAY WOULD BE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE.

WE HAVE ONE IN PASADENA.

WE NEED TO KEEP IT IN PASADENA.

AND WE JUST NEED TO GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO STEP FORWARD AND HELP US.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE REMEMBER COMING HERE TO CONCERTS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBABLY HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE TO CONCERTS.

WHY WOULD YOU SAY IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAVE THIS STRUCTURE?

>> BECAUSE OF WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO REPLACE IT.

I MEAN, HERE WE HAVE A TREASURE IN OUR COMMUNITY, SOMETHING THAT ALREADY EXISTS THAT CAN BE BROUGHT BACK, AS MATT HAS SAID, BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE, BROUGHT BACK SINGING AGAIN FOR VERY, REALLY VERY LITTLE OF WHAT THE REAL COST MIGHT BE IF YOU WERE TRYING TO START FROM SCRATCH.

>> AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY, SUE?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY IT IS THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO ALL THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS HERE AND THE NEW BUILDINGS TO COME.

IT WOULD BE A TRAGEDY TO LOSE THIS BUILDING NOW.

AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO FIND THE RIGHT SOLUTION.

>> WELL, TELEVISION AT ITS BEST CAN HELP INFORM, EDUCATE, CONNECT DOTS.

AND HOPEFULLY THIS PROGRAM, WHEN IT'S WATCHED BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WILL SPARK SOME INTEREST IN SOMEBODY'S MIND, WILL HELP SOME CREATIVE JUICES FLOW, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS PLACE NEEDS RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, IT IS A CENTER OF CREATIVE JUICES, AND HAVING YOURS HERE TODAY TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD IS REALLY INVALUABLE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TOUR.

IT'S BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES.

JUST BEING OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THIS GRAND PLACE AGAIN, IT'S JUST BEEN WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU, SUE.

THANK YOU.

GOSH, WE'VE GOT A DILEMMA.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'VE FACED DILEMMAS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BEFORE AND COME OUT ON TOP.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC, OR DO YOU LIE AWAKE AT NIGHT SOMETIMES REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT THE OUTCOME?

>> BOTH.

BUT I CONTINUE TO BE VERY OPTIMISTIC.

>> WELL, I'VE BEEN IN PRESERVATION FOR 24 YEARS, AND I WOULDN'T STILL BE DOING THIS IF I DIDN'T ALWAYS KEEP THE FAITH.

>> WE'LL ALL KEEP THE FAITH.

BUT I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU, IF SOMEBODY WERE TO JUST COME UP TO ME AND SAY, "SEE THIS AUDITORIUM OVER HERE?

WE'RE GOING TO TEAR THIS DOWN."

THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE OUT OF A BAD DREAM.

>> I'D CALL IT A NIGHTMARE.

>> I MEAN, IF WE LOSE THIS, NOTHING IS SACRED TO THE BULLDOZER.

>> I BELIEVE IT.

AND WE CAN'T LET A TREASURE LIKE THIS BE TORN DOWN.

>> THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

HERE IT IS, RIGHT HERE.

THE AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM.

IT HAS BEEN HERE SINCE 1974.

IT WAS THE DREAM OF HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG AND THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.

IT HAS BEEN AN ICON IN CULTURAL LIFE HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SINCE 1974.

IT FACES AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

BUT, BY GOLLY, THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE THAT WE WIN.

AND HOPEFULLY THIS STORY, THE STORY OF THE AMBASSADOR AUDITORIUM HERE IN PASADENA, WILL BE A STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING FOR US ALL.

>> "VISITING, WITH HUELL HOWSER," IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.