The Fine Arts Center Hosts Molly Ringwald

One member of the famed “Brat Pack” is poised to make an appearance onstage at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.  Molly Ringwald, who played Claire Standish in the iconic The Breakfast Club, will spend time with the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center audience this Sunday, November 1.  The show begins with a viewing of the movie and concludes with a full-audience Q and A with Ringwald.

The Central Trend student reporters Ilma Seperovic and Mackenzie Yob were granted an exclusive email interview with Ringwald:

TCT: What are you working on now?

Ringwald: I’m currently shooting a new tv series, a sitcom called The Wonderful Wayneys. I’ve also recently begun writing a new book though it feels a little too early to talk about it.

TCT: How do you balance your work life and your 3 kids?

Ringwald: It’s hard. It takes planning, perspective, and patience. My TV series shoots in Toronto so I’ve been away from my family a lot for the past few weeks, but once we complete the season I’ll be back home again. Then I’m making sure I’m around a lot for the next few months. I’ve learned to be adaptable and to relish the family time when I have it.  

TCT: When you visit the Fine Arts Center on November 1st what will the show consist of and how many times have you done this type of show?

Ringwald: I’ve done the show three times. It begins with a theatrical screening of the film, then it’s followed by a moderated interview on stage. It’s a chance to talk about everything behind-the-scenes — and not just for The Breakfast Club, we also get into other movies sometimes. Then I answer questions from the audience. The Q&A is usually my favorite part. I still get surprised by new questions every time we do it.  

TCT: What are some of the weirdest questions you have gotten from an audience in a Q&A session?

Ringwald: Haha. Most of the questions are interesting and thoughtful. There’s the occasional odd one, though, no avoiding that. When I was in Springfield, Massachusetts a guy asked, “Can I hug you?”

TCT: How many times have you seen The Breakfast Club and will you sit and watch on November 1st?

Ringwald: I don’t know that I’ve ever counted. Seven? I can’t watch the movie in the theater since I’m backstage preparing for the interview at the time.

TCT: Do you think that the movie portrayed the students of that time period well?

Ringwald: I do, yes. Though I also think there’s a universality to what they were going through that still resonates with audiences. Times may have changed, but relationships, emotions, and friendship haven’t.

TCT: Last year I went to the 30th anniversary of The Breakfast Club. There was a mix of older and younger people, did you ever think that there would be such a large following from different demographics?

Ringwald: At the time we filmed it, I never thought about the demographics of the possible fans or the size of the audience. I was 15 and simply excited to be making the movie. Now I’m thrilled, of course, to see the diversity of people who love it. It’s reassuring, to me, that no matter your age or background, you can connect with the film.

TCT: What’s your favorite memory from making The Breakfast Club, and do you still talk to the other actors involved?

Ringwald: It’s hard to pick one favorite memory. I do talk to the other actors on occasion though we don’t have a club or anything. Hmm, maybe we should start a Slack channel…

TCT: What’s the biggest difference in the film industry from then and now?

Ringwald: The size of the budgets. Unless it’s a superhero movie or some massive effects-laden franchise film, the budgets keep getting tighter and tighter. I think it’s one of the reasons why so much great writing has moved over to TV — the quiet, intelligent, emotionally complex features aren’t being shot as often, studios rarely take a chance on them. But there have always been talented writers, directors and actors in the film industry and there continues to be — art finds a way to survive.

Meggan George, the manager of the FAC, said ticket sales show that the community is looking forward to spending time with Ringwald.

“We are excited. It’s a mature audience film, so it’s not for everyone,” George said. “It’s also a great reflection of a period of time in American youth and I think it’s a piece of pop-culture that will be fun to explore.”

The film has enjoyed recent popularity with teenagers of today, but still holds a special place in the hearts and minds of those who grew up in the 1980s.

“This film has had a recent resurgence with today’s youth, but is fondly remembered by people of my generation and my parents’ generation, as they were experiencing this from an adult perspective at the time the film came out in 1985,” George said. “I think there are going to be a lot of people my age in the crowd, remembering the 80’s and thinking about the first time they saw this film.”

The Q and A after the film will give her fans a chance to interact with Ringwald.

“I think it’s important for fans to know that they have a chance to learn more about her in addition to enjoying the movie,” George said.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or by calling the FAC at 495-8965.