Monthly theatrical series presents Part Two of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Weirton, W.Va., February 18, 2025— Cloak & Dagger On the Air begins its eighth season this Saturday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. with Cloak & Dagger On the Air presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Part 2).
Admission is free, although donations are always appreciated.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with R.J. Gaudio, Troubadour, performing a 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 2) will also be livestreamed via The Ohio Valley Cloak & Dagger Facebook page.
“In December, we presented the first half of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, pausing at the point in the story where the Wicked Witch of the West has taken the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy prisoner and presumably killed the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman,” Pete Fernbaugh, artistic director and head writer for Cloak & Dagger On the Air, said. “This month, we’ll see how that storyline is resolved, then we’ll head back to the Emerald City for Dorothy’s confrontation with the Wizard, followed by her long and arduous trek to the castle of Glinda the Good Witch.”
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 Maura Danielle Reiff-Parissi as the Cowardly Lion.
Micah Underwood plays Glinda the Good Witch, 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 Bethany Fernbaugh, Pete Fernbaugh, 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.
“Having attended Part 1 is not necessary in order to enjoy Part 2,” Fernbaugh said. “Both parts stand on their own, as our heroes go on several other adventures in between the Oz stories everyone knows. These adventures are probably unfamiliar to modern audiences. I think they’re exciting for kids and adults alike, especially since we’re presenting The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a radio drama and audiences can bring their own theatres of the mind to the production.”
“I hope families will take in this unique presentation of a beloved story,” he concluded.
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.
