Joining Bruce Davison in the driver's seat of Off-Broadway's How I Learned To Drive will be film notable Molly Ringwald, starting Oct. 7. She takes over for Jayne Atkinson, who must leave for her prior commitment to Lincoln Center's Ivanov with Kevin Kline. In Drive, Ringwald steps into the role of Li'l Bit created by Mary Louise Parker.

As reported in the New York Times, Ringwald's last stage appearance was a reading of Salome opposite Al Pacino in 1991. (She wasn't in the subsequent Circle In The Square staging.) She won a Theatre World Award for her work in Horton Foote's Lily Dale at the Samuel Beckett Theatre in 1986. Her films include The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink and The Pick-Up Artist.

Asked why she was following the siren call of NY theatre, Ringwald told the Times she was frustrated working on the short-lived TV show, "Townies": "With the series, there were script changes every week, and your character's traits seemed to change from week to week. I wanted to do something that would give me time to find the character and find new things in every performance."

Stage, film and TV star Davison continues in the role of Uncle Peck created by David Morse in Paula Vogel's award-winning Vineyard Theatre production. Davison was nominated for an Academy Award for Longtime Companion. His New York stage appearances include Broadway's The Elephant Man, a revival of The Glass Menagerie and The Cocktail Hour. He's had recurring TV roles on "Designing Women" and "City." He also appeared in the film adaption of Six Degrees Of Separation opposite Stockard Channing and Donald Sutherland.

The Off-Broadway play, directed by Mark Brokaw, is now at the Century Theatre, 111 East 15th St. For tickets ($25-$47.50) and information call (212) 239-6200.