Broadway at Barnes & Noble

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience attending any of these events at Barnes & Noble? I was interesting in going to Bandstand this Friday or Anastasia next week (both at B&N on 86th). I recently attended a B&N event with Sherman Alexie so I think I kind of understand how it works. But just to confirm, do you have to buy the CD in order to get a wristband? Also, if I'm not able to spend money on the CD, would it be worth just showing up at the bookstore to be able to at least hear them or stand in the back? I guess I'm wondering if they let people stand around and listen at all even without wristbands. Thanks!

ClumsyDude is correct. You need to purchase the CD (and obtain a wristband) in order to get into the room to hear the performances and get your CD signed. I recently went to the events for Come From Away, A Bronx Tale and Groundhog Day. All were excellent. B&N really does a great job with these CD launches.

I remember Hamilton was a madhouse. And I also went for The Visit but that was a while ago. My recollection is the people with wristbands get priority. You get to go in the room. If I remember right, people who didn't make the cut off but bought CDs or people who hadn't bought CDs could still stand in line. And if the people at the signing were so inclined, they might let you into the room after. But if you're just going for the performances, I don't think it's worth it as they'll probably close the door.

The Something Rotten one had a good crowd before doors opened and I think there might have been standing room at the rear. Come From Away's line wasn't as long from what I could tell and people were able to walk in not long before the event started. There's a monitor mounted outside the room with a video feed and for CFA I think they kept the doors open and let people stand in the back or just outside the event space.

Updated On: 6/23/17 at 12:01 PM

The only one I ever went to was for She Loves Me. I'm not sure if it was just an odd case, but I went at around 11/12 to purchase the cd and didn't even get the wristband that guaranteed a seat. They did leave the doors open so I could hear and kind of see what was happening, but I didn't get into the room. I did still get my CD signed.