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Past Event

Performing Arts Series

The Fifth Beatle: The Untold Story of the Jew Who Made the Beatles by Vivek J. Tiwary

The Jewish Cultural Studies Program at Monmouth University presents a talk “The Fifth Beatle: The Untold Story of the Jew Who Made the Beatles” by Vivek J. Tiwary the #1 New York Times bestselling author, a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, and the founder of multi-platform arts and entertainment company Tiwary Entertainment Group.

Vivek’s graphic novel The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, based on the untold life story of Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, received worldwide critical acclaim and won a number of prestigious literary awards including the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Reality-Based Work and two Harvey Awards including Best Original Graphic Novel. It is a Lambda Literary Finalist for Best LGBT Graphic Novel, an American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens, and has been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives Permanent Collection. The Fifth Beatle is now being adapted into a feature film that has secured unprecedented access to Beatles music. Vivek is writing its screenplay and will serve as a producer. Vivek J. Tiwary is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, and the founder of multi-platform arts and entertainment company Tiwary Entertainment Group.

Vivek’s graphic novel The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story, based on the untold life story of Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, received worldwide critical acclaim and won a number of prestigious literary awards including the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Reality-Based Work and two Harvey Awards including Best Original Graphic Novel. It is a Lambda Literary Finalist for Best LGBT Graphic Novel, an American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens, and has been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives Permanent Collection. The Fifth Beatle is now being adapted into a feature film that has secured unprecedented access to Beatles music. Vivek is writing its screenplay and will serve as a producer.

On Broadway, Vivek’s productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards over 44 Tony nominations—every single one of his shows has been decorated. They include such groundbreaking work as Green Day’s “American Idiot,” “A Raisin In The Sun,” and Mel Brooks’ “The Producers”. Vivek is currently working with Alanis Morissette and Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner Tom Kitt to adapt Morissette’s breakthrough album “Jagged Little Pill” for Broadway.
Vivek also serves on the Board of Directors for Valiant Entertainment, a multi-platform company that boasts the third largest universe of comic book characters and has secured a 5-film deal with Sony Pictures.

Prior to founding TEG and online music education/empowerment company StarPolish, Vivek held a number of major label music-industry positions and has worked with artists covering the entire musical spectrum from Bruce Springsteen to Britney Spears.

Among many charitable pursuits, Vivek is the Co-Founder of Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization that uses music and entertainment to complement the healing process.

Vivek is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of both the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences, and a cum laude graduate of the Collegiate School in New York City. He also holds a filmmaking certificate from The New York Film Academy and is an acting student of Susan Batson/Black Nexxus Acting Studio.

He lives in New York with his inspiring wife Tracy, their delightful children Kavi and Nandini, and a feisty papillon named Sukhi.