Power and Greed: Monopolies, Mergers, and Cartels on the American Stage
Spencer Weber Waller discusses *Power and Greed: Monopolies, Mergers, and Cartels on the American Stage*, his history of how monopolies and business cartels have shaped American live entertainment since the late nineteenth century. The event examines who controlled theatrical production, booking, performers, venues, ticket prices, and profits on Broadway and in vaudeville, as well as how antitrust law eventually responded.
Waller also connects this history to current concerns about concert ticketing, including the 2023 Taylor Swift Eras Tour rollout through Live Nation and Ticketmaster. He explores the Syndicate, the Shuberts, the Vaudeville Combine, and their modern successors, drawing on archival research and 18 images, including material from the Shubert Archives. Sara Gay Forden joins him for the conversation.
When: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Showtime: 5:00 p.m.
Venue: Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tickets: Free
Seating: First come, first served.
Participants: Spencer Weber Waller, in conversation with Sara Gay Forden
About Spencer Weber Waller: Waller has represented actors, playwrights, marketing professionals, and theater companies and was a co-producer of the 2024 Broadway revival of *The Who’s Tommy*. He has also invested in Broadway productions and international tours. In addition, he is an internationally recognized authority on antitrust and consumer-protection law, with extensive publications and media commentary.
About Sara Gay Forden: Forden is a bestselling author and experienced journalist best known for *The House of Gucci*, which became a major motion picture. She has reported on the Italian fashion industry and technology companies for Bloomberg News, where she leads the legal team in Washington, D.C., after previously covering fashion in Milan.
Accessibility: Requests for accommodations and accessibility questions should be emailed to events@politics-prose.com, ideally at least one week before the event. The venue will try to accommodate requests submitted up to the event time.
Related book: *Power and Greed: Monopolies, Mergers, and Cartels on the American Stage* is available for preorder in hardcover for $32.95. It is scheduled for publication on October 15, 2026, and has ISBN 9781350578098.