PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Bearded Ladies Cabaret was forced to cancel its Philly Fringe Festival act at the Wanamaker building last weekend after the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a violation notice.
The Bearded Ladies show, called “The Layaway,” is now on layaway, according to a post on the troupe’s Facebook page. Last weekend’s shows were canceled after an L&I inspector visited the shuttered department store on Thursday and issued a violation notice, citing a lack of certification for the sprinkler system, and ordering the building’s owner to provide a current fire suppression system certification.
L&I Commissioner Basil Merenda said it was a routine inspection, triggered by an application for a temporary assembly license, which is needed for a series of fall programs, including the return of the Christmas light show and Dickens Village. He said state inspectors also found a problem with the elevators.
Ticketholders were offered refunds for last weekend’s show, and the troupe said it is looking for rescheduling options. The show was supposed to run through next weekend.
This is the second Fringe Festival in which the Bearded Ladies have had to scramble after an L&I inspection. In 2019, an electrical issue forced it to change venues at the last minute.