annie first national tour

THE SUN WILL COME OUT.

Now on tour across north america.

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package.  Little Orphan Annie  has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time returns in a new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most.

ANNIE, directed by  Jenn Thompson , features the iconic book and score, written by  Tony Award®–winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse  and  Martin Charnin . This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.

Mar 20, 1978

Sep 05, 1981, about this production.

• Production Staff
• Opening Night Cast
• Replacements
• Songs music by Charles Strouse ; lyrics by Martin Charnin Act 1 Sung By Maybe Annie It's the Hard-Knock Life Annie and The Orphans It's the Hard-Knock Life (Reprise) The Orphans Tomorrow Annie We'd Like to Thank You The Hooverville-ites Little Girls Miss Hannigan I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here Grace Farrell, Annie, Drake and The Staff N.Y.C. Oliver Warbucks, Grace Farrell, Annie, A Star to Be and New Yorkers Easy Street Miss Hannigan, Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis You Won't Be an Orphan for Long Grace Farrell, Drake, The Staff and Oliver Warbucks Act 2 Sung By You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile Bert Healy, Bonnie Boylan, Connie Boylan, Ronnie Boylan and The Hour of Smiles Family You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (Reprise) The Orphans Easy Street (Reprise) Miss Hannigan, Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis Tomorrow (Reprise) Annie, F.D.R., Oliver Warbucks and The Cabinet Something Was Missing Oliver Warbucks I Don't Need Anything But You Oliver Warbucks and Annie Annie Grace Farrell, Drake and The Staff Maybe (Reprise) Annie New Deal for Christmas Annie, Oliver Warbucks, Grace Farrell, F.D.R. and The Staff

Engagement Dates

City and state.

Rainier Treviño leads ‘Annie’ national tour at the Fox

Rainier “Rainey” Treviño is ready for the sun to come out.

Treviño is starring in the National Broadway Tour of ‘Annie’ as the titular plucky orphan who captures the heart of and finds a home with the billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Audiences can see the 11-year-old in the tour’s Atlanta run Dec. 5-10 at the Fox Theatre.

Treviño has been performing since the ripe age of 3, and has performed with the Virginia family theater company The Hurrah Players, the Virginia Opera, the Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Musical Theatre. This is the first time, however, that Treviño is taking on a national tour. 

“Honestly, [I’m] excited to travel the world with all my friends and perform in nearly every theater,” she said. “I’m just so excited.”

“Annie” – with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan – first premiered on Broadway in 1977. Since then, there have been a slew of film and television adaptations. Everyone has their favorite (this writer is partial to John Huston’s 1982 film), but Treviño said she first came to the story through one of its most famous songs.

“I probably was introduced to ‘[It’s the] Hard-Knock Life’ first,” she said. “I was in a theater class, and they played ‘Hard-Knock Life,’ and I just fell in love with it.”

Treviño said one of the reasons she loves theater is that it gives her the opportunity to play pretend on a professional level. When it comes to Annie, she said she felt a kinship with the character. 

“She’s very optimistic. She’s tough, she’s spunky. I feel like I can really relate to her in that way,” she said. Then, she remembered something very important. “Oh! And there’s a dog!”

Sandy is the lovable stray dog who Annie meets and takes in when she first sings the show’s most famous song, “Tomorrow.” Treviño has three dogs at home, and had nothing but great things to say about the two dogs who share the role of Sandy on tour. 

“They’re just the best boys,” she said. “They’re such good dogs.”

“Annie” is playing at the Fox Theatre from Dec. 5-10. Tickets can be purchased online .

The post Rainier Treviño leads ‘Annie’ national tour at the Fox appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta .

Cape Cod actor plays Rooster Hannigan in 'Annie' national tour

Local theater star Jeffrey Kelly returns to Massachusetts not as a Cape Cod actor but as Rooster Hannigan in the national tour of “Annie” for a five-night run at the Boch Center-Wang Theater in Boston at the start of February. 

“I'm very excited to grab some Tasty Burger because it's been a minute,” Kelly joked. “No, I'm very excited to go back to a city that I love and be surrounded by the supportive people who have been there since the start. It's gonna be a lot of fun.”

The show is the first national tour Kelly has starred on and its stint in Boston — Feb. 6 to 11 — marks the first time he’ll perform on a Beantown stage. 

“I was in the Boston University drumline in 2010 and 11 so it's going to be fun to be back towards that area,” he said. 

Living in Marstons Mills, Kelly began his acting journey in middle school as a way of hanging out with a friend of his who was involved in the theater. His “passion” soon gave out and despite a few high school theater appearances, Kelly didn’t return to the stage until he was 23 at Cape Cod Community College.

He had met Brian Rice, technical director of Cape Cod Community College, who helped him secure a few drumming gigs. One day, Kelly said, Rice came into a practice room he was using and asked if he wanted to be in “Macbeth.” 

Kelly took on the role of Macbeth's foil, Banquo, in the Shakespearian tragedy before switching to lighter fare on Cape Cod stages from Provincetown to Woods Hole.

What shows has Jeffrey Kelley performed in on Cape Cod?

“I really enjoyed musical theater so I kind of just started doing it out of nowhere and kept doing it because I just really enjoyed it so much,” he said. 

Kelly's roles on Cape stages included starring in several productions — including “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at Falmouth Theatre Guild; “Next to Normal” at Woods Hole Community Theater and "Hair” with Peregrine Theatre Ensemble in Provincetown in 2018. Off-Cape shows included the off-Broadway production of “Friends: The Musical Parody,” “Jersey Boys” and “Million Dollar Quarter.” 

“When I look back at some of the shows that are on my resume that were formative towards my professional career, I would definitely say that ‘Next to Normal’ and ‘Hair’ are two big ones that I was kind of blown away,” he said. “I tend to like shows that have a bit more (of) an edge to them .… Those shows resonated with me as a performer.”

While performing in “Jersey Boys” in Memphis, Kelly began submitting material for “Annie” after someone he knew in the show asked if he was interested in being part of it. He landed the role of Rooster Hannigan — brother of Miss Hannigan and boyfriend of Lily St. Regis. 

“The more I worked on the material, the more I fell in love with the show because I really didn't know what to expect from 'Annie,'” he said. “It's easily one of my favorite shows that I've ever done.”

With over 100 shows completed on his first national tour, I asked Kelly what some of the challenges have been adjusting to life on the road. He said though it’s more shows than he’s normally used to, it’s been a rewarding and exciting experience. 

“On the one hand, it is somewhat exhausting going around the country so much and playing all these different venues,” Kelly said. “As soon as you get used to one venue, you all of a sudden need to pack up and go to the next. But honestly, it is a very good fatigue. You're there doing the work, so it kind of fuels the tank a bit because everything is always constantly so fresh and keeping you on your toes.”

Director Jenn Thompson takes 'Annie' tour back to 1977 roots

Before being Rooster, Kelly admitted that he hadn’t seen any rendition of “Annie” until after the tour started — an intentional choice to avoid mimicking the performances of past Roosters like Tim Curry (1982 film adaptation) and Alan Cumming (1999 film adaptation.) 

“They were doing specific things with it and I didn't want to accidentally start to emulate that and Jenn (Thompson) had her own spins on how she wanted me to approach Rooster,” he said. “She wanted a much more James Cagney-esque version … So I intentionally didn't do any research on the previous Roosters."

As for working with Thompson, director of the “Annie” National Tour and the actress who played “Pepper” in the 1977 original Broadway production, Kelly applauded the direction in which she chose to take the play, saying it emphasizes the historical context surrounding Annie’s life and harkens back to the original. 

“I think what she wanted to do with this production more than anything else was she wanted to have it be a much more grounded, realistic version of Annie,” Kelly said. “I think a lot of productions have gone over the top and the script has gone through multiple changes over the years but she brought it back down to a very honest level.”

Plus, the deep love Thompson has for the show guided them through the process leading up to going on tour. 

“She has so much experience and love for the show that she brought to the table,” Kelly said. “It was infectious and really kind of carried to each of us and made the process I think that much more fun and alive. It's always great when you have a director who knows what they're doing, but then also very much loves and cares for the show that they are directing.”

“Annie” comes to the Wang Theater from Feb. 6 to 11. Tickets range from $69 to $269 and can be bought online at www.bochcenter.org/ . The show is directed by Jenn Thompson, choreographed by Patricia Wilcox and orchestrated by Dan DeLange . Talitha Fehr is the music coordinator and Jennifer Christina is the music director .

Frankie Rowley covers entertainment and things to do. Contact her at  [email protected] .

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription.  Here are our subscription plans .   

Tours To You

Your home for information about the touring broadway productions in north america, ‘annie’ north american tour announces cast for 2023-2024 season.

Crossroads Live announces casting for the 2023-24 North American Tour of Annie .

The tour launches in Paducah, KY before a two-week engagement in Ft. Lauderdale, FL Tuesday, October 10th. For more tour dates, visit AnnieTour.com .

In the title role of Annie is  Rainier “Rainey” Treviño , an 11 year old from Chesapeake, Virginia making her national tour debut.  Returning principal cast includes  Stefanie Londino  as “Miss Hannigan,”  Christopher Swan  as “Oliver Warbucks,”  Julia Nicole Hunter  as “Grace,” and  Mark Woodard  as “FDR.” Also starring in the tour are  Jeffrey T. Kelly  as “Rooster” and  Samantha Stevens  as “Lily.   Georgie , rescued by William Berloni , stars as “Sandy.”

The Orphans are  Savannah Austin , Arianna Guller , Avery Hope , Addie Jaymes , Kylie Noelle Patterson  and  Jade Smith . 

The featured ensemble includes  Savannah Fisher,   Jerquintez A. Gipson , Caroline Glazier , Chance K. Ingalls , Kaleb Jenkins , Jaelle Laguerre , Tony Mowatt , Nick Traficante , Kaylie Mae Wallace , Callie Alexa ,  Brooke Olivia Gatto , and  Trent Tyson .

“This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre-lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” said director Jenn Thompson . “For decades,  Annie has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better ‘Tomorrow’ not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever.”

Annie is directed by Jenn Thompson , who at the age of 10 stepped into the role of “Pepper” in the Original Broadway production, choreographed by Patricia Wilcox ( Motown , A Night with Janis Joplin ), with orchestrations by Dan DeLange . Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator and Jennifer Christina is the Music Director.

The design team includes scenic design by  Wilson Chin  ( Pass Over ), costume design by  Alejo Vietti  ( Jersey Boys ), based on lighting design by  Philip Rosenberg , sound design by  Ken Travis  (Disney’s  Aladdin ), hair & wig design by  Ashley Rae Callahan  and casting by  Paul Hardt  of  Hardt Casting, LLC .

The lovable mutt “Sandy” is once again trained by Tony Award® Honoree  William Berloni ( Annie ,  A Christmas Story ,  Legally Blonde ).

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most.  This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.

Biographies

RAINIER (RAINEY) TREVIÑO ( Annie ) is humbly honored to bring this spunky icon of optimism and resilience to life.  Forever grateful to the Annie creatives and Paul Hardt. Special thanks to Kim Pedell, Marc Tumminelli, Lisa Wallace, Hugh Copeland, Candice Heidelberg-Denison, Amelia DeMayo, Gulnara Mitzanova, Dianna Swenson, Hurrah Players, my family and friends. @rainiertrevino

STEFANIE LONDINO ( Miss Hannigan ). Stefanie is a NYC-based actor/musician/songwriter. National tours: Annie (Miss Hannigan), A Bronx Tale (Rosina), Fiddler on the Roof (Shaindel). Off-Broadway: The Mayor of Williamsburg ( HERE Arts Center ), What Do Critics Know? ( The York Theater ), Flak House ( Actors Temple Theater ), Red Wine in Paper Cups ( TheaterNOW ) . Regional: My Name is Asher Lev (Playhouse on Park), Honky Tonk Angels (STONC). BFA University of Utah ATP. Lead singer of rock band West Side Waltz, music out everywhere! Endless gratitude to Hubs, JB, Boo. Follow the shen-Hannigans on IG @stefanielondino

CHRISTOPHER SWAN ( Oliver Warbucks ) is delighted to be returning to Annie for year two. Previously seen as Wilbur opposite Nina West in the 20th anniversary tour of Hairspray . Other national tours include R&H’s Cinderella (Sebastian), Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), My Fair Lady (Doolittle) and the first national of A Christmas Story: The Musical (The Old Man). Regional: Footloose (The Rev), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre by the Sea), Angels In America (Ark Rep). Boston Conservatory graduate and U.S Army veteran. Thanks to Jenn and Patti and much love to my wife Laura. @chriswanlives

JEFFREY T. KELLY ( Rooster Hannigan ) is ecstatic to be joining the company of Annie ! AMDA NYC grad, recent credits include Fluke ( Million Dollar Quartet , Shadowland Stages) & Tommy Devito ( Jersey Boys , Playhouse on the Square). Thanks to the fam, Chondra Profit/FSE Team, and the entire Annie creative team for the support and opportunity! IG: @jeffreytkellytheatre

SAVANNAH AUSTIN ( July ) Savannah is thrilled to make her national tour debut with Annie ! Endless gratitude to Christian Arts Theatre, Rance Wright, Angela Pulsifer, LA Talent, her coaches, family and friends. Savannah thanks her mom, dad and God. Inspiring others to continue to dream big! MATILDA (Matilda: CAT production) @savannahbanana_12

AVERY HOPE ( Pepper ) National tour debut! Leapin’ Lizards! Previous credits include Kelly Clarkson’s NBC Christmas Special (featured singer); Panda Corner (Candymaker). Avery is grateful for the support from her dad, mom/vocal coach, family, and friends.  Special thanks to Carson-Adler Agency, Paul Hardt Casting, Michael Lavine, and Crossroads Live! @averyhope_official

ADDIE JAYMES ( Kate, u/s Molly )  Addie is grateful to be making her national tour debut. Special thanks to her family and friends, Jenn Thompson, Patti Wilcox, Paul Hardt Casting, Daniella Castoria, Ginna Claire Mason, Nancy Carson, Allan Fawcett, Lauryn Ciardullo, Starlight PAC, and the amazing production team. Recent credits: “Annie Warbucks” ( Annie , Surflight Theatre). @addie_jaymes

KYLIE NOELLE PATTERSON ( Tessie ). Debuting on the Annie national tour has been a dream for Kylie. This California girl hopes to inspire others to explore their passion in theater. She is grateful to Royal Theater Academy and her friends and family for their support.  @kylie.noelle.official

JADE SMITH ( Molly ). Jade is so excited to be a part of the Annie tour. This has always been her dream to play the role of “Molly” in the iconic theatrical production of Annie . She is so grateful to be a part of this amazing cast.  She would like to thank all of her castmates, production, her agent Bonnie Shumofsky at Stewart Talent and her management at Parkside talent.

SAVANNAH FISHER ( Ensemble, Star to Be ) previous credits include national tours; Jesus Christ Superstar (“Soul Singer”), Dog Man the Musical! (“Flippy”). Regional; Guys and Dolls (“Sarah Brown”), Godspell and Ragtime . Other favorites include: Sister Act (“Deloris Van Cartier”) and The Wiz (“Glinda”). A very special thanks to my loving family, friends, D’Marreon and The Price Group agency! @savannahmfisher

JERQUINTEZ A. GIPSON ( Ensemble ) received a B.F.A in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance. Some Theatre credits include: national tour: Elf The Musical (“Store Manager”). Regional: Sister Act (“Eddie”), The Color Purple (“Preacher/Adam”), Kinky Boots (“Lola”), Trouble in Mind (“John Nevins”) and much more. He enjoys performing any chance he gets and loves to inspire others to never give up. Thank you to Carla (Mother) and Terriney (Sister) for everything. To see more of him: Instagram @Jxlonzo

CAROLINE GLAZIER ( Ensemble, u/s Grace Farrell, u/s Lily, u/s Miss Hannigan ) National tour debut! Off-Broadway: Friends! The Musical Parody (“Rachel Green”). Other credits: The Sound of Music (“Maria”), Sweeney Todd (“Ensemble”), Cabaret (“Sally Bowles”). University of Michigan: BFA Musical Theater. Thank you to HKA, as well as my family, friends, and fiancé Aaron for supporting me and my dreams!

CHANCE K. INGALLS ( Ensemble ) is excited to be making his tour debut with Annie ! He’s from Kapolei, HI, and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University. He is so grateful for the people in his life who support him. He couldn’t do it without them!

KALEB JENKINS ( Ensemble, Bert Healy, u/s Rooster Hannigan, u/s Drake ) National tour: Hairspray (“Brad”). Regional: Parade (“Britt Craig”), Oklahoma! (“Curly”), Into the Woods (“Baker”), Saturday Night Fever . Charlotte, NC native. CCU alum #chantsup! Many thanks to Josh at ASA, Paul Hardt, the Annie team, and my wife/bff Karen. IG @kalebjacejenkins, TikTok @kaleslaw.

JAELLE LAGUERRE ( Ensemble, u/s Miss Hannigan ) Leaping Lizards Jaelle is thrilled to return for her second year with the red head musical! Recent credits include Cinderella, Buddy Holly, A Christmas Carol (NSMT)) Rock of Ages (The Engeman Theatre) Six (NCL) Mamma Mia (Argyle Theatre). Syracuse University (BFA) Love to her parents, brother and God. Thanks to HkA, Paul, Jenn, Pattie and the creatives! @Jaellelaguerre

TONY MOWATT ( Ensemble, Drake, u/s Oliver Warbucks, u/s FDR ) National tour: CATS (2021-2023). Off-Broadway: Little Match Girl (St. Luke’s Theatre), Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg (HERE). Select NYC/Regional: “Lumière” in Beauty and the Beast (Rodeheaver Auditorium), “Leo Frank” in Parade (Bullet Theatre Collaborative), Twisted Operettas (Joe’s Pub), An Octoroon (Kean Stage), The Producers, Legally Blonde (Woodstock Playhouse). @baloneytones

NICK TRAFICANTE ( Ensemble, u/s Rooster Hannigan ) Nick is a Pittsburgh native and a recent graduate of Ithaca College BFA MT! Regional: Evita (“Ensemble”) at The REV Theatre Co. and A Chorus Line (“Bobby”) and Mamma Mia! (“Sky”) at New London Barn Playhouse. Special thanks to Avalon Artists Group, Mom, Johnny, Elena, and Santina. @nicktraf

KAYLIE MAE WALLACE ( Ensemble u/s Grace Farrell, u/s Lily ) National tour debut! Kaylie is a Pittsburgh native with a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Michigan. Now residing in NYC, her favorite credits include: Grey Gardens (“Young Little Edie”), Into the Woods , and Sweeney Todd . Thanks to Jenn, Patti, Jen, Paul, Crossroads Live, and all my loved ones!

CALLIE ALEXA ( Swing ) is delighted to be making her national tour debut! Credits include: Mary Poppins, Elf, 42nd Street, Beehive, Annie (Prather Productions). International/Cruise Lines: RCCL, RWS, MSC. Much love to her Mom, Sister and supporters all over! Thank you to casting and creatives! Smile, darn ya, smile! @callieaalexa 

BROOKE OLIVIA GATTO ( Swing ) Brooke is delighted to be touring with Annie ! Credits include: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (national tour), and Into the Breeches (International City Theatre). BFA: Cal State Fullerton. Special thanks to her family, friends, and agents at FSE! @brookeoliviagatto

TRENT TYSON ( Swing ) is elated for his national tour debut! Previous credits: Kinky Boots (Slow Burn), A Chorus Line (Interlakes), A Christmas Carol (ZACH), Production Singer/Dancer on Celebrity Cruise Lines. Boston Conservatory ’21, ZACH Theatre PPC Alumni. Huge thanks to Brian at The Hell’s Kitchen Agency and my amazing friends and family!

GEORGIE ( Sandy ) was adopted in spring 2022 by Bill Berloni from a private owner and his story mimics “Sandy’s.” One of Bill’s trainers was leaving a kill shelter in Central PA where she volunteers when a man come walking out with Georgie.  The trainer asked the man if he was giving up this dog and his reply was, “I tried to leave him here but they said they were full and told me to go to the shelter in the next county.” The trainer said, “If you give me 24 hours I may have a home for him.” 24 hours later, he was at the home of Bill and began his new life as an actor. Last year he was the understudy to “Sandy” and this year is proud to have taken over the role.

BAILEY ( Sandy Understudy ) was rescued by Bill Berloni from Puppy Love Rescue in Louisiana.  He is a Poodle mixed with something large. Theater: Finding Neverland ,  “Porthos;”  National Tour: Peter Pan “Nana;” Shakespeare Theater, Washington DC, Because Of Winn Dixie (Understudy) “Winn Dixie;” Goodspeed Musicals and Annie “Sandy” at the Children’s Theater of Minneapolis.

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Covering the performing, visual, cinematic and literary arts in Kansas City

“Annie” National Tour Delivers a Ray of Sunshine to the Kauffman Center

Ellie Pulsifer and Christopher Swan in “Annie.” (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.)

Hope is not dead yet! Optimism still sells! That message alone is reason enough to feel good about the success of Annie , one of modern Broadway’s feel-goodest family musicals, in which a plucky, Dickensian orphan with a sun’ll-come-out disposition lucks into the American Dream, a literal rags-to-riches tale. Since its Tony-winning debut in 1977, Annie has persevered with multiple film versions, TV specials, spinoff sequels, and even one Jay-Z remix. The New York Times estimated that there are roughly 700-900 performances of Annie in the United States every year, via high schools, community theatres, regional theatres, occasional revivals, and regular national tours.

The latest traveling version—a Troika Entertainment production, currently alighted on the Muriel Kauffman Theater stage as part of the PNC Broadway in Kansas City season—delivers all the charm and cheer of the original, with the energy of a new generation. Thomas Meehan’s comic-strip-inspired book still bounds along briskly, providing the framework for composer Charles Strouse and lyricist Martin Charnin’s litany of instant-earworm songs (I won’t mention them yet, so as to spare you the distraction). Yet the vigor of the staging and youthfulness of the ensemble (regardless of years) makes the familiar feel fresh.

Director Jenn Thompson—whose own relationship to Annie dates back to her appearance in that first Broadway production, when she was 10—deploys an upliftingly large and abundantly talented cast of veterans and young stars: 18 adults, seven children, and one dog (two, if you count the dog’s understudy). There’s also a 10-piece orchestra that plays with a punch beyond its numbers in the Kauffman’s acoustically-friendly confines.

The demanding title role is ably filled by 12-year-old Ellie Pulsifer, who handles the dialogue with charisma, and the vocals with ease; her powerful hold on the famous, final note of “Tomorrow” is satisfying enough to justify the whole evening—if the half-dozen half-pints perfectly synchronized around her haven’t already won you over (Bronte Harrison and Vivianne Neely stand out in particular as Molly and July, and in other ensemble roles). Even Addison, as Annie’s beloved stray Sandy, delivers her barks perfectly on cue (as trained by Bill Berloni).

As the “evil” orphan-wrangler Miss Hannigan, Stefanie Londino balances excellent comic timing with some sympathetic nuance. Likewise, Christopher Swan offers a convincing softer side to the stubborn Fifth-Avenue billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. Nick Bernardi and Krista Curry add villainous fun as the con-artist couple who see Annie as their ticket to Easy Street. And while all the leads boast top-tier singing chops, Julia Nicole Hunter rises above as Warbucks’s dutiful assistant Grace; her operatic voice is so elevated that it’s unfortunate she doesn’t have more solos.

Patricia Wilcox’s choreography and Wilson Chin’s elegant, modular sets help the plot bounce swiftly from scene to scene, as Annie gets plucked from the orphanage, wins over Warbucks in one song, and even gets to tag along to the White House, where, Forrest Gump-like, she redirects the course of American history with a brief refrain of “Tomorrow,” inspiring FDR (Mark Woodard) and his cabinet to brainstorm The New Deal—and, you know, end the Great Depression.

Sure, a cynic can see holes in the plot, and find fault in too-convenient storytelling devices. In 2023, some of the dialogue now lands a little uncomfortably, as do the giggles prompted by the tortured Miss Hannigan’s self-medicating slugs of vodka.

Not everything about Annie has aged well. But part of the durable appeal of Annie is that she and her lovable scrum of little orphans never age—and it’s hard not to get caught up in the enthusiasm of the very young actors, who could only recently have discovered the show, and now are starring in it.

Leaping lizards! I was even younger when one of the first tours came through Kansas City in the early ’80s, and Annie became the first Broadway show I ever saw, and the original cast album (yes, an actual album) would be the first I owned. Not that a recording is really necessary—with even just one earful, the songs will likely play on a loop in your head: “It’s a Hard-Knock Life”…“Little Girls”…“Easy Street”…“I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here”…“You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” Do you hear them now?

Well, if all of that—hope for the future? nostalgia for the past?—sounds like a good time, don’t delay. Annie may be an enduring classic, but your chance to see it at the Kauffman Center is fleeting—the tour moves on after this weekend. For a dose of optimism, there is no day like today. Or tomorrow.

“Annie” runs through April 23 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd. For more information, visit www.americantheatreguild.com .

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Victor Wishna is a Kansas City-based playwright, writer, author, editor, and commentator, among other things.

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Only three golfers in history have won the Masters in consecutive years, and Jon Rahm will try to be the next when the 2024 Masters tees off Thursday from Augusta National Golf Club. Jack Nicklaus was the first to get back-to-back green jackets when he won at Augusta National Golf Course in 1965 and 1966. Nick Faldo won the major event in 1989 and 1990, and Tiger Woods, who is competing at the Masters 2024, counts wins in 2001 and 2002 among his five Masters victories. Established golfers like world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler have won the Masters but have not been able to top the leaderboard the following year, but can Rahm end that trend at the Masters 2024?

Scheffler is the 5-1 favorite in the 2024 Masters odds, while defending champion Rahm is 13-1 to repeat. Woods, who has not started an event since last year's Masters, is a 160-1 longshot. Before locking in any 2024 Masters picks of your own, be sure to see the 2024 Masters golf predictions and projected leaderboard from the proven computer model at SportsLine .

SportsLine's proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020. In fact, the model is up nearly $9,500 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament. McClure's model predicted Scottie Scheffler would finish on top of the leaderboard at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship this season. McClure also included Hideki Matsuyama in his best bets to win the 2024 Genesis Invitational. That bet hit at +9000, and for the entire tournament, McClure's best bets returned nearly $1,000. The model also predicted Jon Rahm would be victorious at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. At the 2023 Masters, the model was all over Rahm's second career major victory heading into the weekend. Rahm was two strokes off the lead heading into the third round, but the model still projected him as the winner. It was the second straight Masters win for the model, which also nailed Scheffler winning in 2022. In addition, McClure's best bets included Nick Taylor (70-1) winning the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, Jason Day (17-1) winning outright at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, and Rickie Fowler (14-1) finishing on top of the leaderboard at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. This same model has also nailed a whopping 10 majors entering the weekend. Anyone who has followed it has seen massive returns.

Now that the Masters 2024 field is taking shape, SportsLine simulated the tournament 10,000 times, and the results were surprising. Head to SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard.

Top 2024 Masters predictions 

One major surprise the model is calling for at the 2024 Masters: Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion and one of the co-favorites, fails to complete the career grand slam and barely cracks the top five at Augusta National. The world's No. 2-ranked golfer is off to a rough start in 2024, with his highest finish through his first five starts being 19th at the Players Championship.

Putting was an issue for McIlroy at the start of the season, as he previously ranked 129th in that area (-0.246). While he has improved to 83rd on the PGA Tour (0.036) and his total shots gained (0.610) is 40th, he is still 123rd in shots gained approaching the green (-0.176). While there appears to be small improvements in his game, his finishes this season are why the model is low on him.

Another surprise: Ludvig Aberg, a 24-1 longshot, makes a strong run at the title. He has a much better chance to win it all than his odds imply, so he's a target for anyone looking for a huge payday. The Swede's long Masters odds 2024 are likely due to the Masters being the first major competition in his young career.

The former No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings has three top-10 finishes so far this season, including a second-place finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and an eighth-place finish at the Players Championship. Aberg is 13th on Tour in total strokes gained (1.048) and second overall in proximity around the green (34'10"). He also appears to get more confident with every event he plays, which adds to why the model is high on him to play so well at the 2024 Masters.  See who else to pick here .

How to make 2024 Masters picks

The model is also targeting six other golfers with odds of 20-1 or longer to make a strong run at the green jacket. Anyone who backs these longshots could hit it big. You can only see the model's picks here .

Who will win the 2024 Masters, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Check out the Masters 2024 odds below and then visit SportsLine to see the projected Masters leaderboard, all from the model that's nailed 10 golf majors, including last year's Masters and Open Championship .

2024 Masters odds, field

Full set of Masters picks, best bets, and predictions here.

Scottie Scheffler +500 Rory McIlroy +1000 Jon Rahm +1300 Brooks Koepka +2100 Jordan Spieth +2100 Will Zalatoris +2100 Viktor Hovland +2100 Xander Schauffele +2400 Ludvig Aberg +2400 Patrick Cantlay +2800 Justin Thomas +2800 Cameron Smith +3100 Hideki Matsuyama +3100 Collin Morikawa +3100 Joaquin Niemann +3100 Wyndham Clark +3100 Matt Fitzpatrick +3600 Dustin Johnson +3600 Tony Finau +4400 Max Homa +4400 Brian Harman +4600 Shane Lowry +4600 Cameron Young +4600 Jason Day +4600 Bryson DeChambeau +4600 Sam Burns +5500 Min Woo Lee +5500 Sahith Theegala +5500 Tommy Fleetwood +5500 Sung-Jae Im +7500 Tyrrell Hatton +7500 Corey Conners +9000 Tom Kim +9000 Justin Rose +9000 Patrick Reed +9000 Russell Henley +12000 Adam Scott +12000 Rickie Fowler +12000 Jake Knapp +12000 Phil Mickelson +16000 Harris English +16000 Sergio Garcia +16000 Tiger Woods +16000 Gary Woodland +19000 Keegan Bradley +19000 Si Woo Kim +19000 Chris Kirk +19000 Ryan Fox +19000 J.T. Poston +19000 Nick Dunlap +19000 Cameron Davis +19000 Thorbjorn Olesen +19000 Adrian Meronk +19000 Sepp Straka +19000 Nick Taylor +19000 Eric Cole +19000 Matthieu Pavon +19000 Emiliano Grillo +19000 Nicolai Hojgaard +19000 Luke List +21000 Adam Hadwin +21000 Charl Schwartzel +28000 Kurt Kitayama +28000 Bubba Watson +28000 Ryo Hisatsune +28000 Erik van Rooyen +28000 Danny Willett +34000 Denny McCarthy +34000 Lee Hodges +34000 Taylor Moore +43000 Adam Schenk +43000 Lucas Glover +43000 Grayson Murray +55000 Christo Lamprecht +55000 Mike Weir +100000 Jose Maria Olazabal +100000 Fred Couples +100000 Vijay Singh +100000 Zach Johnson +100000 Stewart Hagestad +100000 Jasper Stubbs +100000 Santiago De La Fuente +100000 Neal Shipley +100000

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Cast Set For the 2023-24 National Tour of ANNIE

The tour launches in Ft. Lauderdale, FL Tuesday, October 10th.

Casting has been announced for the 2023-24 North American Tour of ANNIE that launches in Paducah, KY before a two-week engagement in Ft. Lauderdale, FL Tuesday, October 10th. For more tour dates, visit AnnieTour.com . For tour booking inquiries, please contact [email protected] . 

In the title role of Annie is Rainier “Rainey” Treviño, an 11 year old from Chesapeake, Virginia making her national tour debut.  Returning principal cast includes Stefanie Londino as “Miss Hannigan,” Christopher Swan as “Oliver Warbucks,” Julia Nicole Hunter as “Grace,” and Mark Woodard as “FDR.” Also starring in the tour are Jeffrey T. Kelly as “Rooster” and Samantha Stevens as “Lily.  Georgie, rescued by William Berloni , stars as “Sandy.”

The Orphans are Savannah Austin, Arianna Guller, Avery Hope, Addie Jaymes, Kylie Noelle Patterson and Jade Smith. 

The featured ensemble includes Savannah Fisher , Jerquintez A. Gipson, Caroline Glazier, Chance K. Ingalls, Kaleb Jenkins , Jaelle Laguerre, Tony Mowatt , Nick Traficante, Kaylie Mae Wallace, Callie Alexa, Brooke Olivia Gatto, and Trent Tyson.

“This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre-lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” said director Jenn Thompson . “For decades, ANNIE has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better 'Tomorrow' not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever.”

ANNIE is directed by Jenn Thompson , who at the age of 10 stepped into the role of “Pepper” in the Original Broadway production, choreographed by Patricia Wilcox (Motown, A Night with Janis Joplin ), music supervision by Matthew Smedal , with orchestrations by Dan DeLange . Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator and Jennifer Christina is the Music Director.

The design team includes scenic design by Wilson Chin (Pass Over), costume design by Alejo Vietti (Jersey Boys), based on lighting design by Philip Rosenberg , sound design by Ken Travis (Disney's Aladdin), hair & wig design by Ashley Rae Callahan and casting by Paul Hardt of Hardt Casting , LLC.

The lovable mutt “Sandy” is once again trained by Tony Award Honoree William Berloni (ANNIE, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde).

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most.  This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.

 ANNIE features the book by Thomas Meehan , music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin . All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards for their work. 

By permission of Tribune Content Agency, LLC, ANNIE is based on Harold Gray 's popular comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which premiered in the 1920s in the New York Daily News and became one of the most widely read strips in the 30s and 40s.  Lyricist-director Martin Charnin bought a coffee table book called “The Life and Hard Times of Little Orphan Annie” as a Christmas gift for a friend in 1970. The clerk at the bookstore was too busy to wrap the book, so Charnin took the book home to wrap it.  Instead, he read it and fell in love with the strip and set out to secure the rights. The friend never got the book.

The original production of ANNIE had its world premiere on Aug 10, 1976 at the Goodspeed Opera House (Michael J. Price, Executive Director) and opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre ( Neil Simon theatre).  It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book ( Thomas Meehan ) and Best Score ( Charles Strouse , Martin Charnin ).  It closed on Broadway after playing 2,377 performances.  ANNIE was revived on Broadway in 1997 and again in 2014. It has been made into a film three times (1982, 1999, 2014) and was most recently featured as a live television production on NBC.  The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever; it has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 37 years.   

The beloved score for ANNIE includes “Maybe,” “It's the Hard Knock Life,” “You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don't Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”

This production of ANNIE was licensed by Music Theatre International.

Tour Dates:

Paducah, Ky

Oct 07 - Oct 07 2023

Carson Center

Fort Lauderdale, Fl

Oct 10 - Oct 22 2023

Broward Center

Orlando, Fl

Oct 24 - Oct 29 2023

Dr. Phillips Center For The Performing Arts

Richmond, Ky

Oct 31 - Nov 01 2023

Eku Center For The Arts

Nov 02 - Nov 02 2023

Honeywell Center Ford Theater

Cedar Falls, Ia

Nov 04 - Nov 04 2023

Gallagher Bluedorn

Mason City, Ia

Nov 05 - Nov 05 2023

North Iowa Area Community College

San Antonio, Tx

Nov 07 - Nov 12 2023

The Majestic Theatre

Springfield, Mo

Nov 14 - Nov 15 2023

Juanita K. Hammons Hall

Nov 16 - Nov 16 2023

Reynolds Performance Hall

Nov 21 - Nov 26 2023

Buell Theatre

Lawrence, Ks

Nov 28 - Nov 28 2023

Lied Center Of Kansas

Wichita, Ks

Dec 01 - Dec 03 2023

Century Ii Performing Arts Center

Atlanta, Ga

Dec 05 - Dec 10 2023

The Fox Theatre

Rochester, Ny

Dec 12 - Dec 17 2023

West Herr Auditorium Theatre

Buffalo, Ny

Dec 18 - Dec 23 2023

Shea’s Performing Arts Center

Wilmington, De

Jan 05 - Jan 07 2024

The Playhouse On Rodney Square

Schenectady, Ny

Jan 09 - Jan 14 2024

Proctors Theatre

Richmond, Va

Jan 16 - Jan 21 2024

Altria Theater

Washington, Dc

Jan 23 - Jan 28 2024

The National Theatre

Morganton, Nc

Jan 30 - Jan 30 2024

Comma Performing Arts Center

Reading, Pa

Feb 01 - Feb 01 2024

Santander Performing Arts Center

New Brunswick, Nj

Feb 02 - Feb 04 2024

State Theatre New Jersey

Feb 06 - Feb 11 2024

Boch Center - Wang Theatre:

New Philadelphia, Oh

Feb 13 - Feb 13 2024

Kent State Tuscarawas Pac

Feb 14 - Feb 15 2024

Warner Theatre

Scranton, Pa

Feb 16 - Feb 18 2024

Broadway Theatre

Daytona Beach, Fl

Feb 20 - Feb 20 2024

Peabody Auditorium

Chattanooga, Tn

Feb 24 - Feb 25 2024

Tivoli Theatre

Charleston, Sc

Feb 27 - Feb 27 2024

Charleston Gaillard Center

New Haven, Ct

Feb 29 - Mar 02 2024

Shubert Theatre

Hamilton, On

Mar 05 - Mar 05 2024

Firstontario Concert Hall

Mar 06 - Mar 07 2024

Budweiser Gardens

Midland, Mi

Mar 08 - Mar 09 2024

Midland Center For The Arts

Mar 14 - Mar 16 2024

At&t Performing Arts Center:

Cleveland, Oh

Mar 19 - Mar 24 2024

Playhouse Square

Nashville, Tn

Mar 27 - Mar 30 2024

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Apr 04 - Apr 04 2024

Lutcher Theater

New Orleans

Apr 05 - Apr 07 2024

Saenger Theatre

Sacramento, Ca

Apr 16 - Apr 21 2024

Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center

Apr 25 - Apr 25 2024

Ford Wyoming Center

Fort Collins, Co

Apr 26 - Apr 28 2024

The Lincoln Center

Sioux Falls, Sd

Apr 30 - May 01 2024

Washington Pavilion

Detroit, Mi

May 03 - May 05 2024

Fox Theatre

Kalamazoo, Mi

May 06 - May 06 2024

Miller Auditorium

Green Bay, Wi

May 07 - May 07 2024

Weidner Center

Salt Lake City

May 10 - May 12 2024

Eccles Theater

Portland, Or

May 14 - May 19 2024

Keller Auditorium

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South Carolina-Iowa highlights: Gamecocks top Caitlin Clark for national title

CLEVELAND – It was a revenge tour, indeed.  

South Carolina avenged its only loss of last season, beating Iowa 87-75  Sunday afternoon for the Gamecocks’ third national championship under Dawn Staley and topping a perfect 2023-24 season.

This one is extra sweet for Staley & Co. because a year ago, the Hawkeyes stunned top-seeded South Carolina in the semifinals, dealing the previously undefeated Gamecocks their only loss of the season.  

USC players had been asked all weekend if they wanted another shot at Iowa, and they didn’t shy away from saying yes. 

South Carolina’s win also ends the brilliant college career of Caitlin Clark on a low note. The all-time leading scorer in the history of Division I basketball took her team to two Final Fours, a tremendous feat, but came up short in the national championship game each time.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.

That’s a heartache Staley knows well: As a player at Virginia from 1988-92, Staley led her team to three Final Fours, never winning a championship. 

Dawn Staley earns six-figure bonus after winning title

With South Carolina’s NCAA championship and undefeated season, coach Dawn Staley earned another six-figure bonus. The national title gives Staley a $250,000 bonus. Staley will end this season with $680,000 in bonuses in addition to her $3.1 million in basic pay from the school. – Steve Berkowitz

How Dawn Staley forged championship legacy after heartbreak

CLEVELAND —  Dawn Staley  still goes over critical mistakes from 1991. 

It was March 31, 33 years ago. Staley was the point guard for the Virginia Cavaliers and the best player in America. 

The Cavaliers were up five with 1:25 to play in regulation in the national championship game against the Tennessee Lady Vols and legendary coach Pat Summitt. 

Then, suddenly, they were only up two with 48 seconds to play. Then-UVA coach Debbie Ryan called a timeout and drew up a play for Staley to get to the rim. (You could not advance the ball in the final minute back then.) Read the rest of the story here.

South Carolina and other undefeated women's teams who won title

The Gamecocks spun a season of perfection, capped Sunday with a third national championship after  defeating the Hawkeyes .

South Carolina , which entered the women's NCAA Tournament as the overall No. 1 seed, marched through March Madness with what looked like relative ease. Dawn Staley's players had not lost since the Hawkeyes beat them in last year’s Final Four, and the Gamecocks were winning by nearly 30 points a game.

Kamilla Cardoso  anchored the offense and defense and will be among the top five picks in the WNBA Draft on April 15. Read the rest of the story here.

Opinion: Caitlin Clark forever changed college game

CLEVELAND — There are athletes so transcendent, their impact so transformative, their sports are forever defined by the before and after.

There is baseball before and after Babe Ruth. Golf before and after Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, and then again before and after Tiger Woods. Basketball before and after Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

And there will be basketball before and after Caitlin Clark,  whose college career ended   Sunday with an 87-75 loss to South Carolina  in the national championship game. She has changed both her game and how women’s sports overall are viewed,  very much for the better , and neither will ever be the same. Read the rest of the column here.

What's next for Caitlin Clark?

CLEVELAND — What’s next for CC? 

Caitlin Clark’s brilliant, record-breaking collegiate career has come to an end. The Iowa star, a  two-time national player of the year , and the Hawkeyes  fell in the national championship game  for the second consecutive year as South Carolina capped a perfect season. 

Clark, a logo-shooting supernova who captured the hearts and  eyes of millions  over the past couple of seasons while  re-writing the scoring record books , will go down as one of the  most transcendent stars in all of sports , at all of 22 years old. In a state with a  deep history of hoops known for producing stellar women's basketball players , Clark stands above the rest. Read the rest of the story here.

Final: South Carolina 87, Iowa 75

For the third time in eight seasons, and twice in the last three, the South Carolina Gamecocks are NCAA champions.

South Carolina withstood late charges from Iowa and pulled away in the NCAA Women’s Tournament final, 87-75, to claim its third championship in program history.

South Carolina relied on its height, presence inside the paint and depth.

The Gamecocks secured an edge in rebounds (51-29), offensive rebounds (18-7), second-chance points (30-16), points in the paint (48-32) and bench points (37-0).

Iowa closed the margin with an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter while Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso was getting a spell on the bench, but the Gamecocks steadied and converted their clutch shots.

Cardoso posted a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Gamecocks freshman Tessa Johnson led all South Carolina players with 19 points.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, playing her last game for the Hawkeyes, finished with 30 points on 10-of-28 shooting.

Gamecocks in control

South Carolina is a quarter away from winning it all for the second time in three seasons.

The Gamecocks extended their lead in the third quarter, outscoring Iowa by six, and go into the final frame up 68-59.

South Carolina, going back to late in the second quarter, opened the second half on an 11-0 run. Iowa’s defense delivered some stops midway through the period and the Hawkeyes were able to cut the deficit to two, but South Carolina closed the quarter on an 11-4 run.

Gamecocks freshman Tessa Johnson hit a pair of 3-pointers late in the quarter and now leads all South Carolina players, despite coming off the bench.

After sprinting out of the gates in a torrid start, Iowa’s shots have stopped dropping — in large part because of South Carolina’s pressure defense. The Hawkeyes are now just 20-of-50 (40%) from the floor.

Star Iowa guard Caitlin Clark dropped 18 points in the first quarter, but has gone just 3-of-13 (23.1%) from the floor since then. She leads all scorers with 25.

Iowa needs to step up on defense

CLEVELAND — If there’s been a knock against Iowa all season, it’s been the Hawkeyes’ defense.

Iowa is incredible offensively, especially when the Hawks are out in transition; no one loves to floor and distribute like Caitlin Clark.

But trailing 65-55, Iowa could really use a defensive stop. That’s hard against a team that has great size and athleticism. But Iowa needs to figure out a way to slow down South Carolina, which fired off an 8-0 run faster than you could blink. Meanwhile, Iowa went scoreless for more than three minutes.

In a game like this, momentum matters, big-time.

And that’s why Iowa coach Lisa Bluder just burned her second timeout, to try to stop the bleeding, as South Carolina has taken a 68-57 lead after a three from Tessa Johnson. There's only 1:06 left in the third, but Bluder knows it matters. 

Tamika Catchings, Jalen Hurts among celebs at game

The stars have descended on Cleveland for the national championship game between Iowa and South Carolina. Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings and WNBA MVP Candace Parker are at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to watch the new generation of talent.

Parker was sitting with USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is there, as is “Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis and singer and Gamecocks alum Darius Rucker.

Caitlin Clark getting help from teammates

CLEVELAND – Bree Hall looks frustrated.

The 6-foot junior guard has done a terrific job guarding Caitlin Clark this afternoon. She’s had a hand in her face — literally — every time Clark has crossed half-court, and Clark has worked hard for each of her 23 points.

But Hall can’t do everything.

After a missed three from South Carolina, Clark corralled the ball and raced up the court — with Hall right with her. Hall managed to get in front of Clark, who retreated to the corner … but then Hannah Stuelke flew toward the basket for a layup. After she scored, bringing the Hawkeyes within four, Hall turned away from the basket and let out a heavy sigh, visibly annoyed.

That’s a testament, again, to how well Clark’s teammates have played this tournament and how dependable they’ve become. You might be able to slow Clark, but she’s far from your only problem.

South Carolina in control to start third quarter

The Gamecocks stayed hot to start the third quarter, going on an 11-0 run that went back to the end of the second quarter. Iowa finally scored on a Clark jumper at around the 7-minute mark.

South Carolina fights back, leads Iowa at halftime

CLEVELAND — Well, that was exhilarating.

Caitlin Clark is sucking wind, Raven Johnson is breathing hard and we’ve got one hell of a game on our hands. Are you ready for two more quarters?

It’s clear that everyone on the floor is exhausted — that’s partially how Johnson just managed to sneak a steal from Clark. This game might come down to who’s more in shape, including if it turns into a free-throw shooting contest. At the end of the game when you’ve lost your legs, you have to be even more conscious of bending your knees and getting the ball to the rim.

Pay close attention the second half if shots are short. Both teams shot reasonably well in the first half — 47% for South Carolina and 45% for Iowa — but the Gamecocks have 12 more attempts, a direct result of their 12 offensive rebounds, which they’ve turned into 19 second-chance points.

Gamecocks course-correct in second quarter, lead 49-46

If the first quarter was all Caitlin Clark and Iowa, the second was a course-correction for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks opened the period on a 7-0 run to erase Iowa’s early lead and take a three-point lead — its largest of the game — into halftime.

This has been a game of contrasting styles. Iowa is looking to grab defensive rebounds and sprint out in transition. South Carolina, meanwhile, is crowding the paint and using its height to secure offensive rebounds and extend possessions; the Gamecocks have a 12-4 advantage on offensive boards and have scored 19 second-chance points, compared to Iowa’s 11.

South Carolina also holds a 27-18 overall edge on the glass and has scored 30 points in the paint.

Clark scored just three points in the second quarter after dropping 18 in the first and leads all scorers with 21.

Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso leads her team with 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting, but South Carolina’s bench has been a big factor, chipping in nearly half of the team’s points, with 22. Iowa’s bench, by comparison, hasn’t scored a single point.

South Carolina is up, 49-46.

Dawn Staley is fired up

After Kamilla Cardoso grabbed an offensive board and flipped it right back into the basket, Dawn Staley turned to her bench and held out her arms as if to say, “Why aren’t we doing that EVERY time?” The Hawkeyes have no answer for Cardoso, and Staley knows it.

Staley is visibly upset — extremely upset. She’s been on the officials since the jump, furious that Iowa star Caitlin Clark has already been able to draw numerous fouls against South Carolina. (Clark is 5-of-6 from the line.)

Staley’s assistants have rushed on the floor a few times to pull her back, encouraging her to back off the officials so she doesn’t get hit with a technical. She’s sat down a couple of times then popped right back up, and spent the first chunk of the most recent media timeout giving official Brenda Pantoja an earful.

She hasn’t been warned officially yet, but it’s something to keep an eye on. Midway through the second quarter, Iowa has shot nine free throws and South Carolina just three.

Caitlin Clark takes down another record

The records continue to fall for Caitlin Clark.

Already the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, Clark needed 18 points in today's game to pass Tennessee great Chamique Holdsclaw for the most total points in a single women's NCAA Tournament.

It took her one quarter to break the record.

Clark went 5-for-8 from the field and her 3-pointer with 20 seconds left in the quarter put her over the top.

"When she feels it, she feels it, " Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said between periods.

Holdsclaw won three straight NCAA championships with the Vols in 1996, '97 and '98 and, like Clark, was a two-time national player of the year.

Caitlin Clark already has 18 points

Caitlin Clark poured in a blistering 18 points on five-of-eight shooting in the first quarter, including three-of-four from beyond the arc.

Iowa off to blazing start but Gamecocks fight back

South Carolina may have entered as the undefeated favorite, but it was Iowa who started the game on a torrid pace.

The Gamecocks would settle, but star Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark poured in a blistering 18 points on five-of-eight shooting, including three-of-four from beyond the arc.

The Hawkeyes scored the game’s first 10 points and ripped off a 20-9 run within the first five minutes of the game to build an early lead. Iowa looked to push the pace in transition to prevent the Gamecocks from settling into their base defense.

Iowa hit six of its first eight shots and — behind Clark drawing a couple of fouls on attempted 3 pointers — the Hawkeyes also drew an early edge on free throws.

Iowa enters the second quarter up 27-20.

Mike Trout shows up at ballpark wearing Caitlin Clark jersey

Count Angels superstar Mike Trout among Caitlin Clark's legion of fans.

In a photo posted on Instagram Sunday, Trout was shown wearing a black No. 22 Clark jersey over what appeared to be a black hoodie as he walked through the tunnel at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Trout may catch the start of the women's championship game before taking the field to face the Red Sox.

Kamilla Cardoso looks OK warming up, despite injured knee

Kamilla Cardoso is wearing a sleeve on her right leg – it's white today, unlike Friday's black one – to cover the brace she's got on her injured knee. Cardoso hurt it in the second quarter against NC State, but was able to return for the second half and said after the game that she was fine, just needed more treatment. She looks OK, playfully kicking the ball as if it's a soccer ball during warm-ups. (Like pretty much everyone from Brazil, Cardoso is a big soccer fan.)

What time is Iowa vs. South Carolina?  

Iowa vs. South Carolina tips off at 3 p.m. ET today. 

Iowa vs. South Carolina predictions  

USA TODAY’s Nancy Armour has Caitlin Clark and Iowa getting the victory over undefeated South Carolina while Lindsay Schnell has the Gamecocks remaining undefeated to grab their third national championship. 

How to watch Iowa vs. South Carolina  

ESPN is airing and streaming Iowa vs. South Carolina . 

How to stream Iowa vs. South Carolina  

All games will be broadcast on ESPN. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices. 

• Stream through  HULU with Live TV  
• NCAA March Madness Live app  
• Stream through  DirecTV Stream  
• Watch all tournament games with a subscription to fuboTV  

When does Caitlin Clark play again?  

Caitlin Clark and top-seeded Iowa takes to the court today in Cleveland against No. 1 South Carolina. They tip off about 3 p.m. ET. 

How many points has Caitlin Clark scored?  

As Iowa’s Caitlin Clark continues to rewrite the record books, USA TODAY Sports is tracking all her stats during the NCAA Tournament. Here’s everything you need to know about the superstar guard. Here is an in-depth, illustrated look at the Iowa star and her race to the all-time NCAA Division I scoring record. 

Kamilla Cardoso injury update  

South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso left the Final Four game against NC State on Friday night after a fall that tweaked her right knee . She and coach Dawn Staley said after the game she was fine and would play against Iowa in the national championship. 

Dawn Staley thinks Caitlin Clark needs a ring to be the GOAT  

As she’s rewritten the record books over the course of her brilliant four-year career,  Caitlin Clark  has sparked numerous debates about if she is, in fact, the greatest of all time (GOAT) when it comes to college women’s basketball.  

No offense to Clark, who earlier this season became the all-time leading scorer in Division I history regardless of gender, but South Carolina coach Dawn Staley thinks that title belongs to former UConn standout Brenna Stewart.  

“I was really good in college, never won a championship,” said Staley , who led Virginia to three Final Fours, losing the only national championship she played for, in 1991. “You've got to win a championship. That's (my opinion) personally. Like I had a great career. But it's always, did you win a championship?” Read Lindsay Schnell’s full story . 

Caitlin Clark, Iowa shouldn't be able to beat South Carolina. But they will.  

Look at Iowa and South Carolina on paper, and it’s obvious the Gamecocks should win the national championship Sunday. 

Kamilla Cardoso is a force of nature , and Iowa has no one who can counter her. Shot-blocker Ashlyn Watkins has quietly been having a spectacular tournament . No one will sag off Raven Johnson this year . Dominant as South Carolina’s starting five are, the “second string” is equally lethal. 

And yet … there are teams that seem destined to win, and Iowa feels like one of them. 

It would be the fitting end to Caitlin Clark’s stupendous career , of course. She is already major college basketball’s all-time leading scorer and has altered the trajectory not only of women’s basketball but women’s sports. Sunday is the last game for her and Iowa’s super seniors, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall. 

Read Nancy Armour’s full column . 

Why South Carolina will beat Iowa and win third women's national championship  

By now you know all about when Caitlin Clark waved off Raven Johnson last year during the national semifinal, implying to Johnson – as well as everyone watching – that she didn’t view Johnson as enough of a shooting threat to guard her.  

Johnson was so haunted by that moment , she considered quitting basketball. But she’s lived in the gym since then, becoming a sharpshooter and go-to option in the clutch. She dubbed this season “the revenge tour,” and the last stop is Sunday. You really think she’s letting the Gamecocks lose again? Absolutely not. I’ll take South Carolina as my 2024 national championship pick. And don’t be surprised if South Carolina wins by 15+ — the Gamecocks are that good, that deep and that motivated. Read Lindsay Schnell’s full column . 

Caitlin Clark mastered her mental game and that has Iowa in the title game  

Iowa probably doesn’t make this national championship game earlier in Caitlin Clark’s career. 

 When the Hawkeyes’ offense was struggling against UConn on Friday night, when none of Clark’s shots were falling, when the Huskies were bodying the Iowa players from the moment they inbounded the ball, Clark could easily have gotten frustrated. Would easily have gotten frustrated in seasons past. Instead, she stayed almost preternaturally calm. 

Impressive as those logo 3s and her scoring average are, it’s Clark’s maturity that has brought the Hawkeyes within one game of winning it all. And she and everyone else at Iowa agree it’s that part of her game that’s come the furthest these last four seasons. 

“That doesn’t come without work. She’s put in a lot of work to the mental side of her game,” Kate Martin, who has played with Clark all four years, said Saturday. “That just shows how good of a teammate she is. She wanted to be better. She has all the basketball skills that she needs. She’s the best player in the country. But to work on the mental side, you can always get better on that.” Read Nancy Armour’s full story . 

How South Carolina's Raven Johnson used Final Four snub from Caitlin Clark to get even better 

Caitlin Clark almost made Raven Johnson quit basketball. 

The South Carolina guard spent weeks alone in her room, crying as she re-watched last year’s Final Four loss to Iowa. Over and over and over again. 

“More than 100 times probably,” Johnson said Saturday. 

It wasn’t only that Clark had waved off the unguarded Johnson, deeming her to be a non-threat offensively. It was that the clip of Clark doing it had gone viral, Johnson’s humiliation taking on epic proportions. 

“Caitlin's competitive, so I don't blame her for what she did. But it did hurt me,” Johnson said. “I'm just glad I had the resources that I had, the coaches that I had, the teammates that I had to help me get over that hump. And I just feel like it helped me. It made me mentally strong. 

“I feel like if I can handle that, I can handle anything in life." 

Johnson eventually did come out of her room. So she could head to the gym to work on her shot. Read Nancy Armour’s full story . 

South Carolina has chance to be greatest undefeated women's team 

Dawn Staley knows what the stat sheet says.  

According to the numbers, the top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks are undefeated in the 2023-24 season, having been perfect in 37 games heading into their final contest, a rematch with Iowa which will be played Sunday with a national championship on the line.  

But Staley, in her 16th year with the program, isn’t totally sure it’s true. 

“It doesn’t feel like it,” Staley said. “We’ve played some bad basketball this season that made it feel like we lost.”  

In the history of the women’s NCAA Tournament, there have been nine undefeated champions. If South Carolina beats Iowa, the Gamecocks will become the 10th. Read Lindsay Schnell’s full story . 

College coaches demand more accountability from refs. Iowa-UConn call is the latest example 

As women’s basketball explodes in popularity and administrators realize its power as a revenue-generator , pressure to win has ratcheted up. And that makes every call, especially in a close game, matter. 

For all the discourse around the varying issues in college sports — out-of-control, booster-led NIL collectives, a transfer portal that never stops churning and the looming reality of revenue sharing with athletes — coaches, administrators and even officials agree on one thing: The officiating in women’s basketball needs major work. 

The NCAA declined to make Penny Davis, the head of women’s officiating, available to USA TODAY Sports. But others spoke about one of the game’s most problematic issues.  

“I think to the overall point as the game has gotten more spotlight and just more people purchasing tickets, watching on television, the fundamental question as administrators is, have we done enough to look at the officiating?” Utah athletic director Mark Harlan told USA TODAY Sports. “And I think the answer is no.” 

Read Lindsay Schnell’s full story here . 

Kamilla Cardoso is formidable and immovable force for South Carolina 

The most impressive part of Kamilla Cardoso ’s game isn’t the fact that she played through pain Friday night , injuring her knee late in the second half before returning to play the third quarter. It’s that she’s improved throughout the season. Even if she’s not at full strength, she’s a load on the block . 

Most people take noticeable jumps in skill, strength or athleticism in the offseason, when they can devote hours to their craft. It’s hard to work on your individual game during the season, when you’re juggling class, scouting reports and daily practice that’s usually focused on the team. But just a couple months ago, Cardoso had a bad habit of getting buried on the block. She was often rushed when she caught the ball and took terrible angles on shots, frequently shooting underneath the rim.  

Against NC State, she looked like a first-team All-American. She was patient and polished, taking her time to feel the defense before going the other way and scoring — often through a few sets of outstretched arms. For her size, she has impressive body control. And given her mobility, she could be making a case to move up to No. 2 in this month's WNBA Draft . Read Lindsay Schnell's full story from the Final Four . 

Caitlin Clark average points per game

Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark is averaging 32 points per game this season on 46% shooting. She also averages nine assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. We are tracking all of Caitlin Clark's stats here . 

Caitlin Clark 3-point percentage 

Caitlin Clark is shooting 38 percent from 3-point range this season. For her career at Iowa, she is shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range.

Tessa Johnson stats  

South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson averages 6.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 17.3 minutes per game. The 6-foot freshman has appeared in 33 games this season, shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from 3. 

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Masters 2024 tee times: Pairings for the first and second rounds

Securing a tee time at Augusta National is the dream of most every golfer around the world. For 88 fortunate folks (with one more potentially on the way from the Valero Texas Open), they’ve done just that by earning a place in the field at the 2024 Masters .

For 19 players, this will be their Augusta debut, and with it comes the knowledge that not since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 has a rookie won a green jacket. For a few past champions—Fred Couples (?) and Jose Maria Olazabal—this could be a last call. The two past champions have not announced anything official, but the question remains how long they might continue to play.

Of course, who will be paired with who is the question on everyone’s mind. If tradition holds, defending Masters champion Jon Rahm ( now playing in the LIV Golf League ) will be paired with last year's U.S. Amateur champion Nick Dunlap (now a professional but still in the field thanks to his historic win as an amateur in the PGA Tour's American Express). But how will Masters officials handle the other 12 LIV golfers who are competing this week? And what about Tiger Woods, who is expected to play for the 26th time at the Masters?

Below is the complete player field. Tee times have yet to be set, but check back here and we’ll have them posted as soon as they go live.

More Masters preview stories

PLAYER, QUALIFYING CRITERIA NUMBER(S)

Ludvig Aberg, 17 (RSM Classic), 19, 20

Byeong Hun An, 20

Akshay Bhatia, 17 (Valero Texas Open)

Keegan Bradley, 17 (Travelers), 18, 19, 20

Sam Burns, 18, 19, 20

Patrick Cantlay, 18, 19, 20

Wyndham Clark, 2, 14, 17 (Wells Fargo, U.S. Open), 18, 19, 20

Eric Cole, 19, 20

Corey Conners, 18, 19, 20

Fred Couples, 1

Cam Davis, 16, 19

Jason Day, 15, 17 (Byron Nelson), 18, 19, 20

Santiago De la Fuente (a), 10

Bryson DeChambeau, 2, 16

Nick Dunlap, 17 (American Express)

Austin Eckroat, 17 (Cognizant Classic), 20

Harris English, 19, 20

Tony Finau, 17 (Mexico Open), 18, 19, 20

Matt Fitzpatrick, 2, 13, 17 (RBC Heritage), 18, 19, 20

Tommy Fleetwood, 18, 19, 20

Rickie Fowler, 17 (Rocket Mortgage), 18, 19, 20

Ryan Fox, 19, 20

Sergio Garcia, 1

Lucas Glover, 17 (Wyndham, St. Jude), 18, 19, 20

Emiliano Grillo, 17 (Colonial), 18, 19, 20

Adam Hadwin, 19, 20

Stewart Hagestad (a), 11

Brian Harman, 3, 17 (British Open), 18, 19, 20

Tyrrell Hatton, 18, 19, 20

Russell Henley, 13, 18, 19, 20

Ryo Histasune, special invite

Lee Hodges, 17 (3M Open)

Nicolai Hojgaard, 19, 20

Max Homa, 18, 19, 20

Viktor Hovland, 13, 16, 17 (Memorial, BMW), 18, 19, 20

Sungjae Im, 18, 19, 20

Stephan Jaeger, 17 (Houston Open), 20

Dustin Johnson, 1

Zach Johnson, 1

Si Woo Kim, 18, 19, 20

Tom Kim, 15, 17 (Shriners), 18, 19, 20

Chris Kirk, 17 (Sentry), 20

Kurt Kitayama, 16, 19, 20

Jake Knapp, 17 (Mexico Open), 20

Brooks Koepka, 4, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20

Christo Lamprecht (a), 8

Min Woo Lee, 19, 20

Luke List, 17 (Sanderson)

Shane Lowry, 3, 19, 20

Peter Malnati, 17 (Valspar)

Hideki Matsuyama, 1, 3, 17 (Genesis), 19, 20

Denny McCarthy, 19

Rory McIlroy, 14, 17 (Scottish Open), 18, 19, 20

Adrian Meronk, 19

Phil Mickelson, 1, 4, 13

Taylor Moore, 18

Collin Morikawa, 3, 4, 13, 19, 20

Grayson Murray, 17 (Sony Open)

Joaquin Niemann, special invite

Jose Maria Olazabal, 1

Thorbjorn Olesen, special invite

Matthieu Pavon, 17 (Farmers), 20

J.P. Poston, 19, 20

Jon Rahm, 1, 2, 15, 17 (Masters), 18, 19, 20

Patrick Reed, 1, 13

Justin Rose, 19

Xander Schauffele, 18, 19, 20

Scottie Scheffler, 1, 5, 13, 14, 16, 17 (API, Players), 18, 19, 20

Adam Schenk, 18, 19

Charl Schwartzel, 1

Adam Scott, 1, 19

Neal Shipley (a), 7

Vijay Singh, 1

Cameron Smith, 3, 5, 14, 19

Jordan Spieth, 1, 13, 18, 19, 20

Sepp Straka, 15, 17 (John Deere), 18, 19, 20

Jasper Stubbs (a), 9

Nick Taylor, 17 (RBC Canadian, WM Phoenix), 18, 20

Sahith Theegala, 13, 17 (Fortinet), 19, 20

Justin Thomas, 4, 19, 20

Erik van Rooyen, 17 (World Wide Technology)

Camilo Villegas, 17 (Bermuda)

Bubba Watson, 1

Mike Weir, 1

Danny Willett, 1

Gary Woodland, 2

Tiger Woods, 1

Cameron Young, 13, 19, 20

Will Zalatoris, 19, 20

Past champions who are not expected to compete:

Tommy Aaron

Angel Cabrera

Charles Coody

Ben Crenshaw

Raymond Floyd

Trevor Immelman

Bernhard Langer

Jack Nicklaus

Mark O'Meara

Gary Player

Craig Stadler

Ian Woosnam

Fuzzy Zoeller

Masters qualifying criteria

1: Masters champions (lifetime)

2: U.S. Open champions (five years)

3: Open champions (five years)

4: PGA champion (five years)

5: Players champion (three years)

6: Current Olympic gold medalist (one year)

7: Current U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up (one year)

8: Current British Amateur champion (one year)

9: Current Asia-Pacific Amateur champion (one year)

10: Current Latin America Amateur champion (one year)

11: Current U.S. Mid-Amateur champion (one year)

12: Current NCAA Division I Men's Individual champion (one year)

13: First 12 players, including ties, in the previous year's Masters

14: First 4 players, including ties, in the previous year's U.S. Open

15: First 4 players, including ties, in the previous year's Open Championship

16: First 4 players, including ties, in the previous year's PGA Championship

17: Individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point FedEx Cup allocation, from previous Masters to current Masters

18: Those qualifying and eligible for the previous year's season-ending Tour Championship

19: 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year

20: 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the current Masters

More from Golf Digest

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Tour de Houston bicyclists urge for long-term measures to improve rider safety on city's roads

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Thousands of bicyclists took off from downtown Houston Sunday morning for the 17th annual Tour de Houston , a ride that travels through some of the city's most scenic areas.

Participants were in good spirits as they were greeted with beautiful weather at the starting line on Avenida de las Americas, right next to Discovery Green. Mayor John Whitmire joined Apache Corporation, the event's sponsor, to send off each of the three groups, riding in the 20, 40, and 60-mile routes.

The ride almost didn't take place this year.

Back in January, the Mayor's Office of Special Events preliminarily canceled the 2024 event due to a lack of funding. Whitmire said this was done without his consultation and when he found out, he explored other options to keep the event going.

The longest route takes participants through Houston's historic neighborhoods, vibrant districts, and parks before going all the way down to Clear Lake Park in Seabrook. The intersections along the way were not closed, but manned by traffic officers.

READ MORE: Houston cyclists plead next mayor for more bike lanes: 'We're demanding safety improvements'

While the event allowed bicyclists to ride safely on Houston's roads on Sunday, some riders shared with ABC13 some of the long-term measures they'd like to see to make the city more bike-friendly.

"If they could connect the bike trails together to make even long trails, that would be the best thing the City of Houston could do to improve biking in the city, in my opinion. Connect the widest trails, like White Oak and Spring Creek. Those kinds of mega trails," Ulises Martin said.

"A clearly marked lane for bikes. We do know that we have to share with cars because the City of Houston is so car-oriented. Make a better effort of campaigning to let motorists know to be aware of cyclists," Phi Nguyen said.

Data obtained by ABC13 shows 13 cyclists died in accidents in Harris County in 2023. ABC13 asked the mayor where city officials stand on the issue of bicyclist safety.

"We're growing at a rapid rate. Our general mobility is very important. We've done great things along Allen Parkway. We need to make sure that there's a safe passage in Memorial Park. So there's a lot of things we still have to do," Whitmire said.

Meanwhile, organizers said proceeds from Tour de Houston will go towards the city's RE-Plant Houston Program, which helps plant thousands of trees and reforest parks and greenspaces.

For more on this story, follow Rosie Nguyen on Facebook , X and Instagram .

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Beginner's guide to The Masters: Key things to know ahead of the major at Augusta National

When is The Masters? What time does coverage start? How can I watch all the action? All you need to know and key TV times for the first major of the year, taking place exclusively live from Thursday, April 11 on Sky Sports, including Featured Groups, Amen Corner feed and much more

By David Currie

Monday 8 April 2024 06:07, UK

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The Masters takes place at Augusta National from Thursday, April 11, exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf; Jon Rahm is the defending champion, Rory McIlroy attempts to complete the career Grand Slam and Tiger Woods is set to feature once again.

But why is The Masters such an important date in the sporting calendar? Ahead of the first golf major of the year, we look at some of the most common questions asked about the event...

What is The Masters and how do I watch?

The Masters is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf and is truly unique in the sense that it is the only one to be held at the same location every year, the world-famous Augusta National golf course.

First played in 1934, this year's tournament will be the 88th in its history - and you can watch wall-to-wall coverage from 2pm over the first two rounds on Thursday April 11 and Friday April 12, with Featured Group action and regular updates from around the course available on Sky Sports Golf until the global broadcast window begins at 8pm.

• How to follow The Masters across Sky Sports
• Stream The Masters and more golf with NOW
• Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App

There will be lots of extra action throughout all four days via the red button on Sky Sports Golf , along with Sky Q and Sky Glass, providing plenty of bonus feeds and allowing you to follow players' progress through various parts of Augusta's famous layout.

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The notorious Amen Corner stream will also be available and focuses on the famous three-hole stretch from the 11th, while a feed of the fourth, fifth and sixth holes will go live each day as soon as the opening group reach that part of the course, as well as one covering the 15th and 16th.

Sky Sports Golf will have build-up content and provide occasional live updates from the course before the global broadcast window starts at 8pm for the third round and 7pm for the final day, with early action available throughout via the red button from 3pm on both Saturday April 13 and Sunday April 14.

The Masters: Latest headlines and video

McIlroy's time for Grand Slam at Augusta?

When is The Masters live on Sky Sports?

Who is in the field for The Masters?

• Who has won The Masters? Every winner at Augusta...

Who makes up The Masters field?

The top 50 in the world at the end of the previous calendar year earn an invite, as do those inside the top 50 during the week before the tournament takes place, while previous winners hold a lifetime exemption and any other major winners from the last five years are also included in the field.

The top 12 and ties from last year's Masters are allowed to return, as are the top four and ties from the other three majors in 2023, with every winner at a full-field PGA Tour event - the ones not played the same week as a major - over the past 12 months also securing a spot.

The last three winners of The Players and all qualifiers for last season's Tour Championship earn an invite, plus the champions of five of the world's biggest amateur titles, while The Masters committee can also invite a player who has not qualified.

This year, there are 89 players set to tee it up at Augusta National, with Rahm returning as defending champion and world No 1 Scheffler looking to win the event for a second time, bang in form after taking The Players title for a second straight year.

The Masters - Live

Rahm is part of a strong LIV Golf contingent in the field, including reigning PGA champion Brooks Koepka and former Open champion Cameron Smith, while McIlroy arrives with another opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam.

US Open champion Wyndham Clark is among the rookies in the field, FedExCup winner Viktor Hovland will look to bounce back from a slow start to the season, while Woods - a five-time winner of The Masters, including his famous triumph in 2019 - has confirmed his return to action for the event.

The final place in the field was available to the winner of the Valero Texas Open, with Akshay Bhatia taking that spot after beating Denny McCarthy in a play-off following a dramatic final round.

Who won The Masters last year?

Rahm returns as defending champion after last year's four-shot victory over former Masters champion Phil Mickelson and Koepka, who went on to win the PGA Championship the following month.

The Spaniard trailed by four strokes heading into a marathon final day, where players had to return early to complete their third rounds, with Rahm still two behind Koepka when the pair went out in the final group in the fourth round.

Early errors from Koepka saw Rahm move to the top of the leaderboard inside six holes and he would never relinquish control as he fired a three-under 69 to comfortably hold off the chasing pack and claim a fourth win of 2023.

Rahm - who four-putted his opening hole of the tournament - ended the week on 12 under to capture his second major title to follow his 2021 US Open triumph.

Which LIV Golf players could be in contention?

Masters champion Rahm returns to Augusta National now under the umbrella of LIV Golf after his defection to the Saudi-backed tour in December of last year.

He is one of 13 LIV players scheduled to tee it up this week, along with his final-round competitors from a year ago, Mickelson and Koepka. Former winners Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson and Charl Schwartzel all feature, while Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith also qualify as major winners from the previous five years.

Tyrrell Hatton - who left for LIV along with Rahm - earned his spot after qualifying for the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship last August, while Adrian Meronk is in thanks to finishing 2023 inside the world's top 50, and Joaquin Niemann accepted a special invitation following three top-five finishes on the DP World Tour.

Ahead of The Masters, Garcia issued an early warning to the rest of the field, the 2017 champion saying those from LIV are "coming for that Green Jacket". And his positivity was backed by five-time major winner Koepka, who said "I like the chances [of a LIV winner]", adding "a lot of guys are playing well".

Who are among The Masters favourites?

As well as the LIV contingent, featuring most prominently the defending-champion Rahm, 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler arrives as the overwhelming pre-tournament favourite - the world No 1 followed a dominant victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational by defending his title at The Players last month.

McIlroy has been in questionable form, but he will once more be hugely motivated at Augusta National as he gets another opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam. It's now 10 years since the last of McIlroy's major wins and The Masters is still missing from his collection.

Woods is back in action for the first time since February, with this year's event marking the fifth anniversary of his iconic fifth Masters victory, while Hovland, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Patrick Cantlay and Ludvig Åberg are arguably the highest-profile contenders searching for a maiden major title.

What is the prize money and how much does the winner get?

The prize money for the 2024 contest has yet to be confirmed, although last year's total purse sat $18m, with Rahm taking home a cool $3.24m for winning the Green Jacket.

Koepka and Mickelson finished in a tie for second and received approximately $1.58m each, while a top-10 finish earns you a minimum of around $500,000.

Where is Augusta National and what's it like to visit as a fan?

The Masters is held at Augusta National golf course in Augusta, Georgia in the United States. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the course was designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie and opened for play in 1932. Since 1934, it has played host to The Masters tournament.

Mobile phones are strictly banned from the course, with even cameras banned outside of practice days. Anyone caught with any offending items is asked to leave the course. If a patron needs to make an emergency call, there are phone banks located around the course they can use.

Roars are coming. #themasters pic.twitter.com/d3sRGLHKkr — The Masters (@TheMasters) March 27, 2024

Some of the other rules include patrons not being allowed to lie down on the grounds, while running is also forbidden. In terms of dress code, backward-facing hats are a strict no-no, jeans are not allowed and shoes must be worn at all times - with high heels and flip flops on the no list.

But while patrons may have rules to follow, they are far from short-changed in terms of the plentiful and affordable food and drink options available. The Pimento Cheese sandwich - a staple at Augusta - costs the small matter of $1.50!

Anything else I need to know?

Although golfing terminology largely remains the same as any other tournament, you may come across a few words and phrases during The Masters that may not be as familiar...

Amen Corner - Refers to the three-hole stretch from the 11th to 13th at Augusta National, seen as the most difficult section of the course. One of the bonus feeds available throughout the week live on Sky Sports .

Azaleas - These are one of most famous plants on display at Augusta National and during The Masters. All the course's holes are named after trees or shrubs present at the golf course and one of the spots where azaleas are most prevalent is alongside the 13th hole, which bears its name.

Butler Cabin - Placed near the 18th hole, this is where The Masters winners are presented with their Green Jacket. Jack Nicklaus was the first, in 1965, to conduct his post-victory interview from inside this building.

Champions Dinner - The winner of last year's tournament hosts an exclusive dinner for all previous Masters champions, and chairman Fred Ridley, on the Tuesday night of the week of the Masters. Jon Rahm will continue that tradition with a Spanish-themed dinner this year.

Crow's Nest - Located above the library and champions locker room, up a steep set of stairs and on the third floor of the Augusta National clubhouse, this a famous hideaway reserved only for amateurs competing at the tournament. Players to have stayed in the Crow's Nest as amateurs who later went on to win The Masters include Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw and Tiger Woods.

First and second nine - Rather than the 'front nine' or 'back nine' being used to describe the split in holes at Augusta National, they refer to holes one to nine as the 'first nine' and 10 to 18 as the 'second nine'. It's a small difference, sure, but adds to the unique prestige of the place.

First cut - Augusta has what is referred to as the 'first cut' and 'second cut' when players miss the fairway, as opposed to the rough you would find at other golf courses.

Green Jacket - The concept of a 'Green Jacket' was first introduced in 1937 to help differentiate Augusta National members from other patrons. Since Sam Snead's victory in 1949, the winner of every Masters tournament has been rewarded one, with the jacket presented to the new champion by the winner of the previous year's tournament.

Hogan Bridge - This bridge takes players over Rae's Creek and to the green on the par-three 12th hole as part of 'Amen Corner'. It is named after Ben Hogan, to mark his record-setting low score of 274 for his four rounds at the 1953 tournament.

Honorary Starters - Most years at The Masters, a group of legendary golfers are invited to hit the ceremonial tee shots on the first hole to signal the start of the tournament.

Magnolia Lane - This is perhaps the most famous driveway in all of America, welcoming the competing golfers to Augusta National in the most spectacular way. The road is 330 yards long, lined with magnolia trees on each side.

Patrons - This is what the people in attendance at The Masters are referred to, not fans or spectators.

Pine straw - The lush fairways and pristine greens may well be the best-known features of Augusta National, but covering the ground between many of the holes and at the base of a number of trees is pine straw, which makes for some tricky lies for players from time to time.

Rae's Creek - This is the daunting stretch of water that famously flows in front of the 12th green. At its widest inside Augusta National, the creek runs 60 feet wide and four feet deep. It is surrounded by golf's most colourful backdrop of blooming azaleas and dogwoods.

Sarazen Bridge - The first bridge at Augusta to be named after a player, done so to commemorate Gene Sarazen's 'Shot Heard Round the World'. It was unveiled in 1955 to mark the 20th anniversary of Sarazen's famous albatross at the 15th hole which is where the bridge resides.

Tea Olive - This is the name of the opening hole at Augusta National. In keeping with the tradition the naming of holes on the course, Tea Olive - a shrub native to eastern Asia - can be found on the right of the fairway and at the rear of the green. No Masters golfer has ever birdied the first hole in all four rounds.

Who will win The Masters? Watch live from April 11-14 exclusively on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins with Featured Groups on Thursday April 11 from 2pm on Sky Sports Golf.

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Jon Rahm looking to defend title at Augusta after leaving PGA Tour for LIV Golf

By Mike Darnay

Updated on: April 8, 2024 / 1:28 AM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's Masters week and all eyes in the golf world will be on Augusta National Golf Club. 

The 88th playing of The Masters will get underway on Thursday for what is dubbed 'A tradition unlike any other.' 

The golf world will be tuned into Augusta this week with so many storylines to follow, but perhaps none bigger than Jon Rahm looking to go back-to-back after shocking everyone this past offseason when he announced he was leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf. 

Jon Rahm defending title after leaving PGA Tour for LIV

Every year, there is always discussion about whether or not we will see a repeat Masters champion for the first time since Tiger Woods went back-to-back in 2001 and 2002. 

Even more chatter is sure to take place given that defending champion Jon Rahm left the PGA Tour in the offseason, joining LIV  Golf.

Rahm's Champions Dinner

The Masters tournament itself and everything surrounding Augusta National is tradition-riddled and the annual Champions Dinner is always good for commentary from the golf world and the former champions who get to attend the event. 

Last year, Scottie Scheffler's menu featured a lot of Texas classics , while the prior year, Hideki Matsuyama's menu offered some of the finest sashimi, Wagyu beef, and sushi. 

This year, the menu was revealed and the dinner served in honor Jon Rahm is going to be a Spanish feast for he and his fellow champions.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Masters (@themasters)

2020 Masters winner  Dustin Johnson provided some classic commentary on the subject recently , saying that he's sure it's going to be fantastic, even if he doesn't understand a good majority of the menu. 

 "I don't know what a lot of it is," Johnson said.. I did know the [Ibericos] ham, obviously from playing in Spain last year. I ate a lot of the ham, so I know that's going to be great.   

Changes to the course this year

Every year ahead The Masters, Augusta National's course changes are always a hot topic.

Last year, the par 5 #13 named Azalea was pushed back into more of a chute , cutting down the angle players could draw the ball to the left.

This year, the par 5 #2 named Pink Dogwood is being pushed back 10 yards. 

A first look at the new tee on No. 2 — Pink Dogwood. #themasters pic.twitter.com/luDhBQX0VM — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 5, 2024

The downhill hole is currently the easiest-rated hole on the course. Time will tell if the ten yards being pushed back will have an impact on scores in this year's tournament. 

How to watch The Masters

From cable to streaming services and online live streams, there a number of ways to tune into this year's Masters tournament. 

When it comes to cable, there will be Masters content on ESPN, CBS, and the CBS Sports Network.

For those with streaming services, you'll be able to find The Masters on Paramount+, Fubo, and ESPN+.

There is also a live stream on The Masters website  and app, both completely free of charge, which will offer a live broadcast and several different select channels  and groups that focus on different holes, including:

• Holes 5, 6, and 7
• Featured groups, still to be determined
• Amen Corner (holes 11, 12, and 13)
• Holes 15 and 16
• Main broadcast

The Masters Par 3 contest

Before the tournament gets underway on Thursday, the annual Par 3 contest at Augusta National will take place on Wednesday this week. 

Golfers will tee off at Noon on Wednesday. Tom Hoge won the contest a year ago. 

Rory McIlroy still looking for grand slam

Is this the year that Rory McIlroy completes the grand slam? It's the question that has been asked by the golf world for a decade now.

It's been almost a full ten years since McIlroy won his last major, claiming both the PGA and Open Championships in 2014 with his best finish at The Masters just two years ago when he finished tied for second place.  

Tiger on the prowl? 

For just the second time this season, we will see Tiger Woods in the field at Augusta National.

Woods made his season debut earlier this year at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, but withdrew from the tournament amid a battle with the flu. 

Time will tell if Woods is able to contend in this year's Masters tournament. He was out on the course at Augusta on Sunday getting a practice round in, with his presence said to have led to a 'palbable buzz in the air.'

A Sunday stroll. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2El1GGM1Fj — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2024

Last year, Woods made the cut and played into the weekend, but he withdrew prior to the resuming of play on Sunday. 

Woods has won the tournament five times in his career, one shy of Jack Nicklaus' record of six victories. 

Getting a 'Taste of the Masters' at home

If you've never been lucky enough to win the lottery to buy tickets to The Masters and attend Augusta National , the golf club has made it possible for you to experience some of their illustrious fare in the comfort of your own home.

With a 'Taste of the Masters' kit, you can have the club's famous pimento cheese, barbecue pork, and egg salad sandwiches along with their cookies, popcorn, and chips all without leaving the house. 

Plan your Tournament watch party and serve timeless concessions with a Taste of the Masters hosting kit. #themasters — The Masters (@TheMasters) March 31, 2024

Masters' branded cups, wax paper, and coasters complete the set.  Kits are already sold out for this year and are expected to ship and arrive this week ahead of and during the tournament. 

The ceremonial tee shots

One of everyone's favorite moments that take place every year at Augusta National is the honorary tee shots that signify the start of the tournament. 

Thursday morning, three past champions who won a combined 11 Masters titles and a combined 35 major championships will hit tee shots down the fairway at the par 4 #1 Tea Olive, meaning that the tournament can officially get underway. 

Jack Nicklaus (six-time winner), Gary Player (three-time winner), and Tom Watson (two-time winner) will be the participants for this year's ceremonial tee shots, a tradition that dates back to 1963. 

New caddies on the bag

Two prominent names in the field at The Masters this week will have new caddies.

Three-time Masters winner and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson will have a new caddie after his brother, Tim Mickelson, announced he was retiring last month.  Jon Yarbrough, longtime caddie for Scott Stallings, will be on the bag for Mickelson. 

Meanwhile, Justin Thomas, who had been playing with Mickelson's longtime caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay on the bag, announced last week that the two had parted ways.  

pic.twitter.com/jp1mIQcTbE — Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) April 3, 2024

Matt Minister, who caddied for Patrick Cantlay when he won the Tour Championship in 2021, will be carrying the bag for Thomas, who struggled to find his form last year after winning the PGA Championship in 2022. 

One final entry into the field

Akshay Bathia has earned an entry into this year's Masters tournament and did so in dramatic fashion after winning the Valero Texas Open in a playoff.

Bathia allowed a six-shot lead to slip away to a charging Denny McCarthy before winning the tournament in a playoff on the 18th hole. 

Getting a glimpse of glory at Augusta

While this year's Masters tournament won't get underway until Thursday, amateur golf fans were able to get a glimpse of the course conditions at Augusta National over the weekend during the 5th playing of the Women's Amateur. 

Lottie Woad won the tournament with a late charge through the finishing holes at Augusta , making birdies on #17 and #18, winning the tournament by a single shot. 

Arnold Palmer achieved that feat in 1960 and so did Mark O'Meara in 1998. 

With the win at Augusta, Woad has earned exemptions into several LPGA tournaments. 

Amateur players in the field

Five amateurs will be playing in this year's Masters tournament. 

Santiago de la Fuente, Stewart Hagestad, Christo Lamprecht, Neal Shipley, and Jasper Stubbs have all qualified or earned exemptions through various routes.

Shipley was the runner-up at last year's U.S. Amateur and is from the Pittsburgh area. He attended Pittsburgh Central Catholic before attending James Madison University and Ohio State University.

All five amateurs will surely be hoping to catch lightning in a bottle at Augusta like Sam Bennett last year, who made a splash as the low amateur and was near the top of the leaderboard headed into the weekend. 

• The Masters
• Tiger Woods

Mike Darnay is a digital producer and photojournalist at KDKA-TV/CBS News Pittsburgh. Mike has also written and produced content for Vox Media and the Mon Valley Independent. He often covers overnight breaking news, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and high school sports.

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Porthouse Theatre Presents Its 2024 Season, Starting June 14

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Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, invites you to its season of miracles, in its 56th season Porthouse Theatre will present "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Nunsense" and "Annie" in the summer of 2024.

" Jesus Christ Superstar " opens June 14 and runs through June 29. The preview performance will take place on June 14. What’s the buzz? The first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage, “Jesus Christ Superstar” has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, “Superstar” follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is directed by Porthouse producing artistic director Terri Kent , music directed by Jennifer Korecki and choreographed by Martín Céspedes .

" Nunsense " opens July 5 and runs through July 13. A preview performance will take place on July 5. The book, music and lyrics were written by Dan Goggin, “Nunsense” is habit-forming! This riotous show is a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). Updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements, and a brand-new song, this madcap musical was recorded for television starring Rue McClanahan as the Mother Superior.

We are excited to have Kent State University and Porthouse Theatre alumna, Colleen Longshaw, back on stage this season as Sister Mary Hubert, head of the novices, to the Mother Superior. Colleen graduated from Kent State University’s Theatre and Dance program with a B.F.A and M.F.A. in acting. She has also previously performed at Porthouse Theatre in “Starmites,” “Hairspray,” “Once on This Island,” “Godspell” and “Big River.”  Since graduation, she has gone on to perform in a variety of shows, including a national tour of “Kiss Me Kate” and off-Broadway work with New York Musical Theatre Festival.

"Nunsense" is directed and choreographed by former School of Theatre and Dance director and Porthouse Theatre executive producer, Eric Van Baars , with music direction by Jonathan Swoboda .

Our 2024 Porthouse season will close with " Annie ," running July 19 through August 4. A preview performance will take place on July 19. With music by Charles Strouse, book by Thomas Meehan, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, "Annie" is based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray. “Annie” has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including “Tomorrow.”

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations... and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

"Annie" is directed by Porthouse producing artistic director, Terri Kent , music directed by Alexandre Marr  and choreographed by Martín Céspedes .

Subscriptions go on sale April 22 via phone at 330-672-3884.

Single and group tickets go on sale April 22, 2024. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Porthouse Box Office, online at www.porthousetheatre.com , or by phone at 330-672-3884. The Porthouse box office is located in the Roe Green lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH 44242. The box office hours are Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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