"The Nutcracker" was a special Christmas presentation of the CBS television series, Playhouse 90, featuring Tchaikovsky's ballet performed by the New York City Ballet, choreographed by George Balanchine, and conducted by Robert Irving. It was broadcast live and in color on December 25, 1958.
Cast
The cast included the following:
June Lockhart as narrator
Diana Adams as Sugar Plum Fairy
Allegra Kent as Dewdrop
Judith Green as Marzipan Sheperdess
Arthur Mitchell as Coffee
Roy Tobias as Chocolate
Barbara Walczak as Chocolate
Kenneth Peterson as Mouse King
Deni Lamont as Tea
Edward Villella as Candy Cane
Una Kai as Frau Silberhaus
Roland Vazquez as Dr. Silberhaus
Shaun O'Brien as Party Guest
Bern Bennett as Announcer
Debbie Paine as Clara
Robert Maiorano as Her Prince
Production
The program aired on December 25, 1958, on the CBS television series Playhouse 90. John Houseman was the producer and Ralph Nelson the director. George Balanchine was the choreographer (this was an adaptation of the version he first staged in 1954), and Robert Irving conducted the New York City Ballet Orchestra. E. T. A. Hoffmann wrote the television adaptation based on the original narration by Leo Lerman. The broadcast was sponsored by Kimberly-Clark and the American Gas Association. This was the only installment of the entire Playhouse 90 series to be broadcast in color. The videotaped broadcast has been uploaded to YouTube.