God is indeed a Princetonian - she's president

Despite years of skeptical tour groups, the Chapel Choir's weekend concert confirmed the Orange Key guides' translation of Dei Sub Nomine Viget - God does go to Princeton. Saturday and Sunday audiences of the annual holiday show last weekend were pleasantly surprised to see none other than University President Shirley Tilghman cast as the Creator.

Tilghman's brief performance, which consisted mainly of delivering chunks of background information to the Archangel Gabriel in the beginning of the play, was received exceptionally well by choir and audience members alike.

"Everyone seemed amused by the play in general, and thought she was a good comic character," said Jason Grover '05, a Chapel Choir member. "She leant good authority to the role."

Fellow choir member Letizia Allais '05 agreed, "She was a good God."

Allais overheard audience members remarking that the president's role had "lightened the whole thing."

The student body enjoyed the choir's creative casting choice. "I thought it was clever," said Rachel Hoff '05. Hoff also complimented the actress' "good speaking voice."

Ryan Coyle '05 was likewise amused by Tilghman's theater debut on campus. "I got a kick out of it," he chuckled.

The audience itself was fairly unique for a university production. Composed of local families, elderly community members and university students and faculty, the motley crowd huddled into the Chapel for a festive hour-long program, which included 15th century poetry selections in addition to a plethora of musical pieces. Grover described the event as "a monstrous conglomeration of beautiful orchestral and choral music."

Tilghman's participation provided students with a rare opportunity to interact with the president on a more intimate level. During rehearsals prior to the concert, Tilghman chatted with choir members and revealed that she was no stranger to the stage. Back in grade school, she had made her acting debut as King Herod's wife in a modest school production.

Allais felt that Tilghman's recent cameos in both the Chapel Choir pageant and DiSiac's "Thermodynamics" video clips are important, because they show students that she is "not only an administration person, but actually involved on campus." She added that Princeton students appreciate their president exploring the "fun aspect of campus life."

Choir members hope that this will not be the end of the president's campus acting career. With a similar Easter program planned for the spring, they welcome Tilghman to reprise her role as the Creator.

"I can't think of anyone who would make a better God," said Grover.