Illinois State University alumni, family, and friends are invited to a special reception following the Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m. performance of 1776. The performance will take place at the Illinois State Center for the Performing Arts Theatre.

Winner of three 1969 Tony Awards including Best Musical, 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson as they draft and sign the Declaration of Independence and free America from the tyranny of England.

Immediately following the performance, guests are invited to the lobby where they will have the opportunity to mingle with members of the cast, enjoy light refreshments, hear costume designer Anna Hill discuss how she dressed 23 of our Founding Fathers, and participate in other activities sponsored by the School of the Theatre and Dance Marketing Association student organization. Costume renderings from the show will be on display. All attendees at this performance will have the opportunity to enter to win two tickets for one Illinois Shakespeare Festival performance during its 40th anniversary celebration this summer.

For the March 5 performance only, alumni will receive a discount on their tickets. Alumni tickets for the performance are $15 for adults, $14 for Illinois State faculty and staff, $10 for children/students through college/seniors.

This production is appropriate for all ages. The run time is 2 ½ hours, (Act I, 90 minutes; Intermission, 10 minutes; Act 2, 55 minutes.)

Tickets and more information are available at the Illinois State Center for the Performing Arts Box Office, which is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and can be reached at (309) 438-2535. Tickets must be purchased in person or by phone to receive the discount; please mention that you are an Illinois State alum at the time of purchase. Performance parking is available for free in spots 250 and above at the School Street Parking Deck, located at 400 West Beaufort Street in Normal.