Philadelphia’s iconic Wanamaker Building (100 E Penn Square) is seeing new life after the closure of the Macy’s store previously housed inside.
The City of Brotherly Love’s home for contemporary performance, FringeArts, is partnering with The Bearded Ladies Cabaret for a new series of intimate cabaret performances titled ‘The Layaway.’
“When FringeArts had the opportunity to partner with long-time collaborators The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and Opera Philadelphia’s ‘Pipe Up!’ program to present live performances at the Wanamaker Building, we immediately knew we had to jump at the opportunity,” said Nell Bang-Jensen, FringeArts CEO and Producing Director. “This new festival offering continues FringeArts’s longstanding tradition of resurrecting and repurposing great Philadelphia spaces as sites for live performance.”
The pop-up performances are set to run from September 13-28, 2025, and will be presented in partnership with Opera Philadelphia’s Pipe Up! series. The historic Wanamaker building continues to see activity after many in and around Philadelphia were left concerned when it closed earlier this year. The upcoming Pipe Up! performances are not the only exciting events coming to the building, as it will once again host the annual Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village.
Audiences will enjoy a wide range of cabaret experiences, including stripped-down acoustic reveries, soaring organ(ic) ecstasies, genderqueer tomfoolery, and even tailor-made programming crafted just for the Kids Department. Folks are welcome to view à la carte, whether that is just a quick pop in, or if you prefer to settle in for the full evening experience. This one-of-a-kind series is set to spark joy into the hearts of all who hear.
“We’re thrilled to be in this signature Philadelphia landmark which has long been a unique performance site,” added Sally Ollove, Director of The Layaway and Bearded Ladies Cabaret Associate Artistic Director. “It is such a gift to be able to play here. We hope audiences come ready to put their feet up and wrap themselves in queer joy and gorgeous performance. If you are someone who needs a soft place to land for a moment or a place to let your hair down, we invite you to join us at The Layaway.” us at The Layaway, where joy stored today becomes a little sparkle for the coming season.
For more information, visit beardedladiescabaret.com
