The billowing Christmas tree, the Mouse King battle, the giddy little girls in pink tutus filling the audience — it’s that time again at the Opera House. More than 300 dancers and students are taking their bows in Boston Ballet's 40th annual production of "The Nutcracker," which runs through Dec. 29. And at each performance, backstage is a hive of activity — touching up makeup, stretching sore calves, and watching from the wings as the spell is cast anew and the snowflakes fall.
— Rebecca Ostriker, Globe Staff

Soloist Heather Myers dances in the Dew Drop role during a rehearsal.