Molly Ringwald, who rose to fame in such films as Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and The Breakfast Club, is currently starring in the American premiere of the stage version of Terms of Endearment, which continues at Off-Broadway's 59E59 Theaters through December 11 co-starring Hannah Dunne. Here, acclaimed actor Ringwald shares the theatrical experiences that most affected her as part of the audience.

Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan in Private Lives

The chemistry between them was delicious.

The cast of Ain't Misbehavin’

Impossible to pick just one performance because they were such an incredible ensemble. I grew up with jazz music and so this play really enchanted me.

Raul Esparza in tick, tick... Boom!

Jon Larson was a friend of mine, so this play was very meaningful. Raul was so incredibly charismatic in that part, and I felt it really honored Jon's legacy.

Rent

So hard to choose one actor because, again, I loved the ensemble, but I really loved Daphne Rubin-Vega's Mimi in Rent. Jon told me I would love her before I saw the play, and he was right. For me she is the only Mimi.

Iphigenia at Aulis

I was lucky enough to see Deborah Warner's productions of Iphigenia at Aulis when I was working in London, and her feminist approach to these Greek classics really excites me. Fiona Shaw was breathtaking as Medea (a collaboration with the same director). It's a part I would love to take on.

Yul Brynner in The King and I

I saw him in a revival when I was a girl, and what can I say? The man was well into his sixties, but he still had it. I knew he had sex appeal before I even knew what it was.

Eileen Atkins in Retreat from Moscow

Her raw pain after her marriage ends was visceral. I was just getting together with my husband when we saw it, and we both looked at each other and said, “Let's never get divorced!”

J. Smith-Cameron in As Bees in Honey Drown

She was so charming and funny. I would go to see her in anything.

Justin Vivian Bond as Kiki in Kiki & Herb Alive on Broadway

Viv is a performer I've admired for a long time. Her commitment to that character gives the impression that she is channeling her. She's extraordinary.

Raul Julia in The Tempest

Getting to see Raul Julia play Prospero in the Park was very exciting because a couple of weeks later, I got to play Miranda to his Kalibanos in Paul Mazursky's adaptation of The Tempest. Raul was such a fun and giving actor. And, one of my favorites I've ever had the good fortune to work with.

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