San Jose dance companies stay on point with ‘Nutcracker’ productions

There are a number of reasons why the holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” is a tradition all over the world. Much of that begins with Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, which makes its way into every aspect of December living–films, commercials and transpositions that put its music into every genre imaginable.

But while popular access is something “The Nutcracker” never struggles with, there’s no denying the power of its purest form, in a theater as young Clara’s dreams and imagination usher in...