PREPARING FOR SATURDAY — Actors Robert Gaudio, left, and John Reilly prepare for their fan-favorite portrayals of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters Dr. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes, respectively. The upcoming Cloak and Dagger On the Air performance is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau in Weirton. -- Contributed

WEIRTON — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes, along with his invaluable companion, Dr. John Watson, will return to Cloak and Dagger On the Air at 4 p.m. Saturday. A new adaptation of the classic novel “The Hound of Baskervilles,” can be heard at the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau or livestreamed through the Ohio Valley Cloak and Dagger Co. Facebook page.

Presented in the style of live radio drama, admission will be free, although donations are appreciated. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. A set of Americana music will be performed prior to the show by troubadour R.J. Gaudio. Light refreshments will be available.

“Our audience loves Holmes and Watson,” stated Pete Fernbaugh, creator and head writer of Cloak and Dagger On the Air. “So far, we’ve presented brand-new adaptations of 22 short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It seemed like the right time to change things up with one of the four novels he wrote about the detective. The longer form allows for more in-depth character development and multiple intersecting plot lines.”

Returning to the roles of Holmes and Watson are experienced and versatile actors John E. Reilly and Robert J. Gaudio, respectively. “The Hound of the Baskervilles” was originally serialized in the Strand Magazine and the first Holmes story published in eight years. Doyle had intended to retire Sherlock Holmes for good with the publication of “The Final Problem” in December 1893. However, much to his personal disappointment, the public demanded more.

“Conan Doyle is on record as expressing frustration with the popularity of Holmes,” Fernbaugh explained. “He was a prolific writer who considered his other efforts to be more worthwhile and felt his Holmes stories were cheap fiction and hackwork. The serialized release of Baskervilles was met with a level of passion akin to the latest Taylor Swift album or ‘Star Wars’ movie.”

In fact, the Strand Magazine could barely keep up with the demand, as people lined up around the block for the latest installment, Fernbaugh noted. Doyle realized his fate was sealed and ended up writing Holmes stories until a few years before the author’s death in 1930.

“What I find most interesting about ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ is the conflict between the characters over supernaturalism,” Fernbaugh continued. “Holmes is an avowed realist, but Conan Doyle, himself, was an avowed supernaturalist. It’s fascinating to witness the tension between creator and creation over these ideas. You can tell that Conan Doyle’s heart was with the fantastical elements of the story, but to stay true to Holmes’s nature, he had to plot a plausible and grounded resolution.”

“Our audience has repeatedly expressed how much they enjoy watching John and Bob bring these characters to life,” Fernbaugh said. “Their chemistry and rapport as actors echo the chemistry and rapport of the characters as they were written. Both actors are entertaining to watch, as John makes Holmes’s deductions and reasoning seem obvious and believable, while Bob presents Watson in a way that other adaptations often fail to do, as intelligent, thoughtful and vibrant. Thanks to their portrayals, one ends up respecting and admiring both characters for their unique gifts and insights.”

“The Hound of the Baskervilles” will be performed by Cloak and Dagger On the Air’s acting troupe, the Wayward Saints, which includes Rob DeSantis, Bethany Fernbaugh, David Gaudio, Noah Hilton, Jeffrey Holmes, Karissa Martin, Malachi McClendon, Joel Nau and Terri Perry. Sound effects for the production will be created by the sound effects team known as the Holy Foley Molies. The score, which is based on the works of Chopin, Offenbach and Vivaldi, will be performed by classical musician Roberta Fedoush.

Fernbaugh will appear on “Novotney Now,” hosted by journalist and talk show host Steve Novotney, at 4 p.m. today to discuss Saturday’s production. “Novotney Now” can be heard in the Steubenville/Weirton areas on 100.9 FM and AM radio’s 1430 WEIR. In the Wheeling area, it can be heard on 100.1 FM and AM 1290 WOMP. The Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau is located at 243 Three Springs Drive, Suite 17, in Weirton, behind the Crazy Mexican restaurant and next to Weirton Pet Spa.

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

Cloak and Dagger On the Air is a monthly theatrical series from the Ohio Valley Cloak and Dagger Co. that celebrates audio drama from all eras — particularly the fabled Golden Age of Radio. By re-imagining classic radio dramas and literary works, along with premiering original stories written and produced by Fernbaugh, Cloak and Dagger On the Air strives to give audiences an immersive experience that engages the theater of their imagination in creating a fully-realized storytelling adventure. For information or updates on the troupe’s live and recorded productions, visit the Ohio Valley Cloak and Dagger Co.’s Facebook page.