One of Balanchine’s favorite ballerinas, Patricia McBride performed with New York City Ballet from 1959 until 1989. (28 of those years as a principal dancer)!! In the 1960s, McBride enjoyed a particularly successful partnership with Edward Villella, performing with him at the Pillow 8 times during that decade. Although there have been many productions of 'The Nutcracker' since its premiere in 1892, Balanchine’s 1954 version for The New York City Ballet is probably the most famous and influential