"The Nutcracker" - Sacramento Ballet, 2010

A large audience gathered for Saturday afternoon's (Dec. 11) performance of "The Nutcracker" at the Sacramento Convention Center Theater.

I was very surprised to see this performance's Clara (Claire Westerman) available at intermission for photos and autographs. Normally, dancers wouldn't have time for such niceties, but fortunately Clara doesn't have to be onstage at the top of Act II.

Sacramento Ballet has done its utmost, particularly over the last several years, to cater to its audience, to the point where it is almost on the verge of causing itself harm, but that is what you do when you realize just how much you rely on your audience! No one can complain about Sacramento Ballet being too aloof!

Taking questions.