Power and Greed

Spencer Weber Waller explores the complex history of American live entertainment in Power and Greed, Volume 1. This non-fiction work examines how monopolies and business cartels have governed the performing arts since the late 19th century. By tracing the influence of the Syndicate, the Shuberts, and the Vaudeville Combine, the text illustrates how powerful figures controlled theatrical production, performance venues, and ticket pricing. This history of theater and entertainment provides essential context for modern discussions regarding antitrust laws and the dominance of massive corporations in the current concert industry.

Power and Greed, Volume 1, utilizes archival research and exclusive images from the Shubert Archives to document the battle for Broadway. The narrative connects the anticompetitive strategies of the Gilded Age to contemporary issues in the arts and photography and performing arts sectors. Readers interested in theater history and competition law can examine how market control shapes the live entertainment landscape. This volume offers a detailed look at the legal and economic forces that define the stage.