A black and white photo of a man on the left pointing with both hands to two dancing women holding fans on the right.

Act II: George Li, Gloria Vauges, and Janice Mitoff in the Chinese Dance (Tea)

A black and white photo of a man with one hand in the air, while his other his arm around a women. They are looking at each other with their outer feet pointed out.

Yvonne Mounsey and Herbert Bliss in the Spanish Dance (Hot Chocolate)

A black and white photo of a man standing to the side with his right arm in the air while his left arm reaches toward his bent left leg.

Act II: Francisco Moncion in the Arabian Dance (Coffee). Photo by Frederick Melton, 1954.

Act II: Francisco Moncion in the Arabian Dance (Coffee)

Photo by Frederick Melton, 1954

Gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 in.

The role of Arabian Coffee is now a sensuous dance of unbridled femininity, but until 1964 the role was danced by men. Its interpretation in the first 10 years was defined by the performance of Dominican dancer Francisco Moncion, who at the time of his death in 1995 was the longest-serving NYCB dancer of all time, having been listed on the roster from 1948 through 1985.

Holding Division: Jerome Robbins Dance Division

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