The Play of the Week is an American anthology series of televised stage plays which aired in NTA Film Network syndication from October 12, 1959 to May 1, 1961. Ambitious undertaking The series presented 67 (35 in the first season, 32 in the second) videotaped Broadway-style productions, broadcast nightly and Sunday afternoons on NTA-owned independent station WNTA-TV (now WNET) in New York City, and syndicated to approximately 100 other NTA Film Network-affiliated stations. Because well-known performers were willing to accept minimum payments (top salary was $750) for the prestige of appearing in the critically praised showcase, production costs were kept to an average of $40,000. Although the budget was low, the show had a high distinction which, combined with its reputation as an innovative production, gave it momentum and propelled it into winning a Peabody Award. Episodes Season 1 (1959–60) {| class="wikitable" |- ! First aired ! # ! Title ! AuthorAdaptation ! Producer ! Director ! NotesCast |- | Oct121959 | 1x01 | Medea | Euripidestranslated byRobinson Jeffers | David Susskind | H. Wesley KenneyandJosé Quintero | [In order of appearance] Judith Anderson as Medea (1947–48 and 1949 Broadway cast), Henry Brandon as Jason (1949 Broadway cast), Aline MacMahon as Nurse, Jacqueline Brookes as Attendant to Medea, Eric Berry as Aegeus, Colleen Dewhurst as Second Woman of Corinth, Morris Carnovsky as Creon, Michael Wager as Jason's Slave, Mannie Sloane as Child, Rickey Sloane as Child, Don McHenry as Tutor (1947–48, 1949 and 1982 Broadway cast), Betty Miller as First Woman of CorinthIntroduction by episode producer David Susskind |- | Oct261959 | 1x02 | Burning Bright | John Steinbeck | Lewis FreedmanandHenry Weinstein | Curt Conway | Staged by Guthrie McClintic and produced by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Burning Bright opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on October 18, 1950 and closed on October 28, after 13 performances. starring Myron McCormick [first of five appearances on The Play of the Week] as Joe Saul, with Colleen Dewhurst as Mordeen, Dana Elcar as Ed and Donald Madden as Victor, Songs by Will HoltIntroduction by episode co-producer Lewis Freedman |- | Nov21959 | 1x03 | Back to Back:The Dock BriefandWhat Shall We Tell Caroline? | John Mortimer | David Susskind | Stuart Burge | Michael Hordern as Morgenhall and Tony Peters, George Rose as Fowle and Arthur Louden, Lueen McGrath as Bin, Jeane Marsh as Caroline |- | Nov91959 | 1x04 |