The women were joined by two surprise guests, who Wallach introduced as "Buttercup Fineberg" and "Josephine Knowles."

The audience roared with laughter as Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67 and Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles sashayed into the room wearing billowing 19th century-style ball gowns, lipstick and women's wigs.

The quartet sang three songs modeled on Gilbert and Sullivan tunes, roasting Sheerr's constant phone calls during the negotiations, as well as some of the deal's trickier sticking points.

"When we start to relax, please don't send us a fax, for we're surging, with urging, for merging," they sang to the tune of "Tit-Willow" from The Mikado.

Rudenstine praised Fineberg and Knowles for their unexpected musical and dramatic abilities.

"They have talents that I can't aspire to," he said. "I choose my deans and provost carefully, but that is definitely not in their job description."

One trustee quipped, "We've been trying to feminize Harvard for years, and at last we did it."