Cloak and Dagger to hold season’s final episode

WEIRTON -- Cloak and Dagger On the Air will close its seventh season Saturday, as officials prepare to hold the final performance at 4 p.m. This week's show is entitled "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," Part 1. Performed in the style of live radio drama, local child actor Anacelia Parissi will return as Dorothy Gale. Ohio Valley favorite Rob DeSantis will reprise his role as the Wizard.

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

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 storytellers. The cast includes Joey Albus, Nathaniel McClendon, Gabriella West and Dave Zanieski. Troubadour R.J. Gaudio will appear at the top of the show as 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. The cast includes Noah Hilton as the Scarecrow, David Gaudio as the Tin Woodman and Maure Danielle Reiff-Parissi as the Cowardly Lion. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m., as Gaudio will perform a Christmas-themed set of classic pop, folk and rock favorites prior to the performance. Light refreshments will be available.

"Initially, I attempted to adapt the novel for a two-hour show," Fernbaugh said. "But our goal with literary adaptations has always been to tell the full story from beginning to end as the author intended it. The classic 1939 movie had to leave a lot of the novel out in order to fit the run time, 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."

Fernbaugh hopes to present the second part of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," as the Feb. 22 season eight premiere. He said he will announce the official date on Saturday's show. Fernbaugh could not praise Parissi enough. "I knew she was perfect for the role when we performed 'Santa in Oz,'" he said. "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 are blessed to have her as a Wayward Saint."

"We encourage folks to set aside some extra time to check out the local businesses around us," Fernbaugh said.

The monthly theatrical series 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, visit the Ohio Valley Cloak and Dagger Co.'s Facebook page, which will livestream Saturday's event.