"Mon$ter" Grabs New Grant

"Mon$ter" Grabs New Grant
Debt-Free America Sponsors 10 Shows

Norman L. Berman composed the music and Enrichment Works Founder and Executive Director Abraham Tetenbaum wrote the book and lyrics for “The Money Mon$ter,” which features seven songs, including a rousing gospel number about interest rates and a “Budget Tango.” The Jekyll-Hyde plot concerns a newlywed couple, a banker and television news reporter, coping with debt in the midst of a series of mysterious attacks. A real-life newlywed couple, Danielle and Jamie Hobert star.

Produced by Enrichment Works, a nonprofit “arts-for-education” organization based in the San Fernando Valley, the 45-minute show boasts a cast and creative team with Broadway credits under the direction of Murphy Cross, a 2007 Tony Award winner.

Performances targeting students in low-income areas, will take place at Marvin Elementary on April 14, followed by Miramonte (April 17), Nevin (April 18), 74th St. (April 21), Western (April 25), 95th St. (April 29), Caroldale (May 2), 6th Ave. (May 9), Wadsworth (May 12) and Ascot (May 14). All performances will begin at 3:30 pm.

“We are proud to be associated with Debt-Free America,” said Tetenbaum. “Debt is getting a lot of attention these days. We see it in the mortgage crisis and we need to prepare our youth to be responsible participants in our economy.”

“The Money Mon$ter” tells the story of a newlywed couple, a banker and television news reporter, struggling with debt against the background of a series of mysterious monster attacks. The performance introduces students to budgets, borrowing and checkwriting and a Question and Answer session with the cast follows each performance.

“We commend Enrichment Works for helping our youth in taking control and understanding their personal finances,” said Debt-Free America Education Director, Linsy John. “Financial literacy issues exist in our society, which need constant attendtion and this program does an outstanding job in making students aware of their future.”

Enrichment Works, an award winning 501c3 nonprofit organization founded by Tetenbaum in 1999, has presented more than 4,500 performances in over 360 schools, libraries and museums in Los Angeles County. It is a member of the California Jump$tart Coalition, a nonproft dedicated to financial literacy. In addition to “The Money Mon$ter,” Enrichment Works currently tours 20 small-cast plays supporting educational content standards in History, Literature and Science or concerning health and social issues of importance to young people.