SET TO PERFORM — Robert Gaudio, an actor with the Wayward Saints, will reprise his role as Santa in Saturday’s Cloak and Dagger On the Air production of the Lux Radio Theater’s adaptation of “Miracle on 34th Street.” -- Contributed

WEIRTON — This Saturday, a Christmas-themed celebration of America’s radio heritage will be offered, as Cloak and Dagger On the Air presents “Christmas Movies on the Radio: A Tribute to Lux Radio Theater.”

The broadcast will begin at 4 p.m. at the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, paying homage to one of the longest-running and most popular anthology series from what is commonly known as the Golden Age of Radio.

“Each week, Lux Radio Theater would present an abridged version of a popular film that was either still in theaters or had just left theaters,” stated Pete Fernbaugh, creator and co-executive producer of Cloak and Dagger On the Air. “Oftentimes, they would enlist some of the stars from that picture to recreate their roles for radio.”

Lux Radio Theater kept films in the public consciousness the same way home video, DVDs and streaming would do later. Between story acts, hosts would often discuss current or upcoming films.

“The series was emblematic of the partnership that popular entertainment and commerce has always shared,” Fernbaugh added. “From the sponsors, Lever Brothers, to the filmmakers and stars to the studios, Lux Radio Theater benefited all of its contributors. This month, we’ve decided to celebrate the series with two Lux adaptations of the classic Christmas movies, ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ As part of our presentation, we’ll be including many of the original commercials for Lux soap and plugs for then-current films. We hope this gives our audience a glimpse into another time, when Hollywood was seen as a magical place, radio was a fixture for families in living rooms across the country and stories embraced our shared humanity over divisive agendas.”

Admission to the production is free, although Cloak and Dagger On the Air will be collecting donations at the door for the Community Bread Basket in Weirton. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. A set of holiday-themed Americana music will be performed by musician and troubadour R.J. Gaudio. Light refreshments will be available.

Presented in the style of live radio drama, the broadcast will be livestreamed as well, offered through the Facebook page of the Ohio Valley Cloak and Dagger Co.

Featured actors this month include: Chris Carter, Rob DeSantis, Fernbaugh, Bethany Fernbaugh, Gaudio, David Gaudio, Kami Martin, Karissa Martin, Malachi McClendon, Nathaniel McClendon, Clare McDonald, Joel Nau, Anacelia Parissi, Ralph Parissi, Maura Danielle Reiff-Parissi and Frank Wilson. Sound effects for the production will be created by the Holy Foley Molies. The score will be performed by musician and accompanist Lakin Weaver.

For information on the Community Bread Basket, visit its Facebook page, its website at cbbinc.org or call (304) 748-7595.

The Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau is located at 243 Three Springs Drive, Suite 17 in Weirton. Fernbaugh encouraged residents to set aside some extra time to check out the local businesses along Three Springs Drive prior to the performance. “We hope our show can bring some traffic their way,” he stated.

This monthly theatrical series is from the Ohio Valley Cloak and Dagger Co. that celebrates audio drama from all eras, particularly the fabled Golden Age of Radio.