Reviving Molly

Most people know her from 1980s hits like “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” but on Tuesday night in Costa Mesa, Molly Ringwald was having fun returning to her roots on the stage.

Molly Ringwald stars as Charity Hope Valentine, the leading lady of the Bob Fosse-Neil Simon hit “Sweet Charity” at Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Segerstrom Hall through Dec. 3.

Before her opening night performance Tuesday, Ringwald talked about breaking out of the mold she created in the 1980s, being a mother on the road and performing in musical theater.

The 38-year-old actress came to Costa Mesa with her daughter, Matilda, 3, and her father to perform for a two-week stop in the show’s national tour. “Sweet Charity” received three Tony Award nominations for its 2005 revival.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” Ringwald said about the show. “It’s a throwback to the old-fashioned musicals.”

“Sweet Charity” is based on Federico Fellini’s 1950s screenplay of “Nights of Cabiria,” which legendary choreographer and director Bob Fosse and prolific writer Neil Simon adapted for the stage. In the 1960s, the Broadway show earned raves.

Ringwald has also performed to good reviews. But this isn’t her first theatrical performance.

The stage was Ringwald’s first foray into acting. She’s the daughter of jazz musician Bob Ringwald, who introduced her to the world of music when she was a girl.

Acting on the stage “was something I did exclusively growing up,” she said, lounging on a couch at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. “My dad was a jazz musician, and I was raised performing with him.”

She slowly got into film and TV, making her debut as a teen idol in the early ‘80s. Although Ringwald said she’s proud of the movies she did, she isn’t the teenager she played in the movies. As she matured, so did the roles she wanted to play.

“I think any time you do anything that’s really successful, you’re in danger of everybody wanting to cast you for the same thing,” Ringwald said. “And although I was very happy with the movies I made, obviously I wanted different roles as my life experience changed. It was a little bit of a struggle, but I’ve pretty much been determined to do what I want to do.”

In 2002, she burst back on the stage as Sally Bowles in the Broadway revival of “Cabaret.”

Her experience on “Sweet Charity” has been different from her Broadway stint. She had been approached by “Sweet Charity” directors during the time her daughter was born, but she was unable to play the part she’s dreamed of playing since she was little. When she was asked about doing the national tour, she was excited about taking the role.

She finds the touring life exciting, though tiring.

“I love seeing new places,” she said. “But picking up everything and moving every week or two can be exhausting.”

Working with Ringwald as she got in step with the choreography, something Ringwald said was one of the most difficult parts of the show, has been a joy for other cast members.

UC Irvine graduate Sae La Chin plays Charity’s friend Carmen in the show. Working through scenes with Ringwald and traveling with her, Chin said Ringwald is “normal” despite her celebrity status.

“It’s pretty amazing to be standing on stage acting with Molly Ringwald, I would have to say,” Chin said in a phone interview. “She’s such an amazing person, she’s very giving onstage and offstage — she’s really just like the rest of us.”

Ringwald was not a dancer by trade and had to throw herself into the choreography to get it down.

“I’m dancing every day with people who’ve been dancing nonstop since they were 3 years old,” she said. “My body went into shock at first, but it’s definitely been a good experience.”

During her spare time — and there’s not much of it — Ringwald hopes to take advantage of the warm weather in Newport-Mesa and head to the beach with her daughter.

IF YOU GO

“Sweet Charity,” starring Molly Ringwald

Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

Evening and matinee performances through Dec. 3

$20 to $75

www.ocpac.org