Boston Ballet's reputation seems to jump a notch every time someone says, "So it's not just The Nutcracker." The country's fourth-largest dance company performs the holiday staple from Thanksgiving to New Year's. During the rest of the season (Oct-May), it presents an eclectic mix of classic story ballets and contemporary works. Because the Wang was originally a movie theater, the pitch of the seats makes the top two balconies less than ideal for ballet -- paying more for a better seat is a good investment.