Interview: MOLLY RINGWALD REVISITS THE CLUB at New Jersey Performing Arts Center

As if hosting a screening of the classic teen movie The Breakfast Club in celebration of the film's 30th anniversary wasn't enough for avid fans of John Hughe's hit, eternal teen idol Molly Ringwald will be on hand at New Jersey Performing Arts Center for a Q&A session on Friday, Dec. 11. Tickets can still be purchased via ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC.

In anticipation of Friday's event, BroadwayWorld.com asked the "it" girl of the 80's, who has been successfully working an a number of projects, a few questions of our own.

To many, you are not only the face of an entire adolescent generation, but of adolescence in general. Not too shabby! How does that make you feel?

Like the oldest teenager in the world. It's flattering, of course, and I take it as a compliment.

Many credit John Hughes as a visionary who revolutionized the way that Hollywood portrays teenage characters by creating characters with depth and who were multidimensional, instead of the stereotypical horny teenager. When you first read his scripts, did you pick up on that?

Definitely. John's scripts were immediately distinct. Interestingly, he was one of those rare writers whose first drafts were incredibly strong. He wasn't an endless reviser.

When you were filming such classics as Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club and For Keeps, did you ever fathom the long-lasting cultural impact these movies would have?

I was a teenager, the "future" was about five years off, at best. I had no idea that the movies would endure the way they have.

In particular, why do you think The Breakfast Club is so timeless? What about it makes the audience relate to the story and the characters even after all these years?

I think the themes it explores are timeless: feeling like an outsider, bullying, trying to fit in. They're all still relevant to what kids are going through. Technology doesn't change that - texting, social media, all of that just amplifies these archetypal struggles. And the way John tapped into it all, with characters that are recognizable but also complex, that approach continues to resonate with audiences.

The Breakfast Club has been described as one of the most realistic depictions of high school. If The Breakfast Club was made today, what do you think would be different in the movie?

There'd be more diversity. And they'd all have cell phones and there'd be social media integrated somehow. Who knows - maybe the bullying would have been done online instead of in the locker room.

Do you have any fond memories of filming The Breakfast Club you'd like to share?

Funny, that question always gets asked during the Q&A. You'll have to come and see...

The almighty Brat Pack is still referenced today. Do you still talk to any of your fellow "brat packers"?

I talk to Ally probably the most frequently. (Anthony) Michael now and again. It wasn't an actual social group, it was just a term used by magazines and newspapers.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center will screen The Breakfast Club on Friday, Dec. 11 as part of its 30th anniversary with a special appearance by you. How did this event come about? Is this part of a screening tour? Why was it important for you to take part in this event?

The NJPAC event is part of a mini-tour for the 30th anniversary. Over the years I kept getting requests to do Q&As and screenings and then with the anniversary arriving, it just seemed like the perfect time to go out there and screen the film again with audiences. It's been great. It's always fun when people get to see the movie in theaters again. And the audiences have been really excited, just tremendous enthusiasm.

You are a quadruple threat (at the very minimum): actress, dancer, singer, author. Out of your many hats, what do you enjoy doing most and gives you the most satisfaction?

That's like being asked to pick your favorite child! Each one has its charms. Acting on stage and performing music provide an interaction with the audience that can be really energizing and exciting. Writing, in comparison, is a solitary pursuit. But there's a puzzle-solving quality to it that's equally exciting - in a much quieter way of course. Trying to understand human nature, how these characters interact - and somehow get all that down on the page in an interesting, original way - I love that challenge.

Your debut album Except Sometimes was released a couple of years ago. How did you get into music? Why a jazz album?

I've always been into music. My father is a jazz pianist and taught me how to sing from a very young age. I was performing in his band when I was three years old, standing on stage and belting out songs like "A Good Man Is Hard to Find". Jazz is my first love, musically.

Are there any current projects that you are working on we should look out for?

I just wrapped the first season of a new sitcom called Raising Expectations. On the musical front, I'll be performing at Birdland in March. It's a legendary venue - I can't wait.

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