80s ballet slippers

There’s an amusing moment when Ramanujan explains the plot of “Charley’s Aunt” to Hardy, which becomes an in-joke unintended by the playwright when we remember that Coyne starred in an adaptation of that play at Hayward’s Douglas Morrisson Theatre earlier this year. Hauptman’s play isn’t all grim, by any means. In fact, at times it’s positively playful. Ramanujan has a charmingly friendly and informal relationship with the goddess he credits for all his inspiration, Namagiri of Namakkal, played with warmth and compassion by Avanthika Srinivasan, who also does some elegant dances to Natarajan Srinivasan’s terrific Indian music.

Oktoberfest by the Bay: Friday, Sept, 21, through Sunday, Sept, 23, Three days’ worth of German food, beer, singing and dancing on Pier 48 in San Francisco at one of the West’s biggest Oktoberfests, Headlining is the 21-piece Chico Bavarian Band, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this season, Friday night and Saturday night are limited to adults age 21 and up; children are allowed 80s ballet slippers on Saturday afternoon or all day Sunday, which is Family Day, Admission: $25 general, $85 VIP (includes German buffet, commemorative mug), $5 kids ages 13-18, free for ages 12 and under, Hours, tickets: www.oktoberfestbythebay.com..

An American citizen who went missing last month in Vietnam has been found: He’s in a Vietnamese prison, accused of conspiring against the government. No charges have been filed against Michael Nguyen, also known as Michael Phuong Minh Nguyen, of Orange, but he’s being detained without the ability to see his family or lawyers, his family said during a press conference Thursday morning outside Orange City Hall. While relieved to hear he’s alive, his brother-in-law, Mark Roberts, called his detainment a violation of human rights and international law.

Shiba Party: This annual event is the largest gathering of Shiba Inu dogs and puppies on the West Coast, Meet others who have Shibas and learn more about them, Potluck lunch, costume contest, raffle, rescue parade, toy scramble and more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m, May 31, Josef Hoog Park, 551 Marin Oaks 80s ballet slippers Drive, Novato, Free, 209-369-3473, www.sfnc.org/events/ShibaParty2014.pdf, Rods and Rescues: Car show and rescue dog adoption event with Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue and Green Dog Project, 10 a.m.-3 p.m, June 7, Petaluma Village Premium Outlets, 2200 Petaluma Blvd, North, Petaluma, $25 preregistration for car show; free to spectators, 415-518-0906, www.coupeandroadster.com..

The musical revival category has three strong candidates: “The King and I,” ”On the Town” and ”On the Twentieth Century.” (Vanessa Hudgens’ “Gigi” only got one, for actress Victoria Clark.). Ruthie Ann Miles, who earned a supporting actress nomination for playing Lady Thiang in the lush Lincoln Center Theater revival of the classic 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The King and I,” was happy she and her co-star Ken Watanabe were recognized.