Cloak & Dagger taking another journey into the Land of Oz
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WEIRTON -- Cloak & Dagger on the Air continues its ninth season Saturday with a new adaptation of "Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz," the fourth novel in L. Frank Baum’s legendary Oz series.
The performance will begin at 4 p.m. at the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Performed as a live audio drama, Cloak & Dagger on the Air’s presentation follows Dorothy Gale’s treacherous journey underground after an earthquake swallows her and her cousin, Zeb. While on this journey, they are reunited with the Wizard of Oz, who has been absent from the two previous installments. Their adventures take them to the Land of the Mangaboos, the Land of the Gargoyles and, finally, to the Land of Oz.
"What a pleasure it is to present these stories, many of which haven’t been adapted in full for decades," Pete Fernbaugh, creator and co-executive producer of Cloak & Dagger on the Air, said. "Each tale is filled with creativity, wit and imagination that’s delightful to kids and adults alike. The characters are memorable and endearing, and the adventures are engaging and exciting."
Cloak & Dagger on the Air’s audio adaptations of the Oz novels have attracted attention and acclaim from the International Wizard of Oz Fan Club, with its last installment, "Ozma of Oz," being featured in the autumn 2026 edition of The Baum Journal.
"We’re honored to be recognized by an organization that dates back to 1957," Fernbaugh said.
"Their interest in our adaptations reflects their overall interest in all artistic engagements with Baum’s creations, not only those that originate from Hollywood or Broadway. When I started adapting Baum’s work in 2022, I was doing so more out of a personal interest in presenting his writing, much of which has been forgotten by the general public over time, to our audience locally. To attract the attention of a wider audience is flattering, and we continue to feel the responsibility to do these stories and these characters justice."
Acting troupe the Wayward Saints will perform "Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz" Saturday. The production will feature Anacelia Parissi as Dorothy Gale and John E. Reilly as the Wizard of Oz, alongside Chris Carter, Sheila Cavalette, Jarek Devault, Bethany Fernbaugh, David Gaudio, Noah Hilton, Kami Martin, Karissa Martin, Clare McDonald, Ralph Parissi, Maura Danielle Reiff-Parissi, Micah Underwood and Dave Zanieski.
Robert J. Gaudio will make an appearance at the beginning of the show in the persona of L. Frank Baum to present the preface to the novel. Roberta Mizok Fedoush will perform the score, which is comprised of pieces originally presented in early 20th-century stage adaptations of the Oz characters and books. Sound effects will be created by the Holy Foley Molies.
Admission to Cloak & Dagger on the Air is free, although donations to help with production costs are welcome. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. with a set of Americana music performed by popular musician R.J. Gaudio, Troubadour. Light refreshments will be available, as well as merchandise based on the theatrical series.
For those who can’t make it in person, the performance will be livestreamed on the Ohio Valley Cloak & Dagger Company Facebook page.
The Top of WV CVB is located at 243 Three Springs Drive, Suite 17, in Weirton, 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 theater of their imagination in creating a fully realized storytelling adventure.
For information and updates on the troupe’s live and recorded productions, visit the Ohio Valley Cloak & Dagger Company’s Facebook page.