Monthly theatrical series presents Part One of the Classic Novel this Saturday

Cloak & Dagger On the Air closes its seventh season this Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. with Cloak & Dagger On the Air presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Part 1).

Admission is free, although donations are always appreciated.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with R.J. Gaudio, Troubadour, performing a Christmas-themed set of classic pop, folk, and rock favorites. Light refreshments will be available.

Performed in the style of live radio drama, Cloak & Dagger On the Air presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Part 1) will also be livestreamed via The Ohio Valley Cloak & Dagger Facebook page.

“Last December, we presented the second part of L. Frank Baum’s Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, and as part of that show, we adapted the one story Baum wrote featuring Santa as a special guest in Oz,” Pete Fernbaugh, artistic director and head writer for Cloak & Dagger On the Air, said. “Our cast did so well with it and our audience enjoyed it so much, we decided to begin working our way through his Oz novels.”

Local child actor Anacelia Parissi will return as Dorothy Gale and Ohio Valley favorite Rob DeSantis will reprise his role as the Wizard. Also in the cast are Noah Hilton as the Scarecrow, David Gaudio as the Tin Woodman, and Maure Danielle Reiff-Parissi as the Cowardly Lion.

Bethany Fernbaugh plays the Witch of the North, Karissa Martin portrays the Wicked Witch of the West, and Nancy Longo, Malachi McClendon, Clare McDonald, and Ralph Parissi serve as the Storytellers. Also in the cast are Joey Albus, Nathaniel McClendon, Gabriella West, and Dave Zanieski.

Robert J. Gaudio will appear at the top of the show as L. Frank Baum. Sound effects will be performed by the Holy Foley Molies, and classical pianist Roberta Fedoush will accompany the episode with a score derived from the original 1902 Wizard of Oz musical.

“Initially, I attempted to adapt the novel for one two-hour show, but our goal with literary adaptations has always been to tell the full story from beginning to end as the author intended it,” Fernbaugh said. “The classic 1939 movie had to leave a lot of the novel out in order to fit the runtime, and of course, the current box office smash, Wicked, although based on another Oz-inspired book and musical is telling its story across two movies in order to do the source material justice. Plus, we like spending time in Oz. It’s a delightful place to be.”

Right now, Fernbaugh hopes to present the second part of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as their Feb. 22, 2025, Season Eight premiere. He said he’ll announce the official date on Saturday at the show.

Fernbaugh couldn’t praise Anacelia Parissi enough.

“I knew she was perfect for the role when we performed Santa in Oz, but over the last year, Anacelia has appeared in local productions of Shrek the Musical and Matilda. Her growth as an actor was evident at our read-through the other night when she nailed Dorothy’s earnest innocence and purity of spirit right out of the gate. I think our audience is going to be smitten with her take on Dorothy. As with all our uniquely talented younger actors, we’re blessed to have her as a Wayward Saint.”

Top of WV CVB is located at 243 Three Springs Drive, Suite 17, in Weirton, W.Va., behind Crazy Mexican, next to Weirton Pet Spa, and across the parking lot from Bistro 303 Prime Cuisine.

“We encourage folks to set aside some extra time to check out the local businesses around us,” Fernbaugh said. “Three Springs Drive is filled with many dining and shopping opportunities. We hope our show can bring some traffic their way.”

Cloak & Dagger On the Air is a monthly theatrical series from The Ohio Valley Cloak & Dagger Company that celebrates audio drama from all eras, particularly the fabled Golden Age of Radio.

By reimagining classic radio dramas and literary works, along with premiering original stories written and produced by independent writer and actor Pete Fernbaugh, Cloak & Dagger On the Air strives to give audiences an immersive experience that engages the theatre of their imagination in creating a fully realized storytelling adventure.

For more information and for updates on the troupe’s live and recorded productions, please visit The Ohio Valley Cloak & Dagger Company’s Facebook page.