ROCK OF AGES' Mark Shunock to Launch MONDAYS DARK in Vegas with Dot-Marie Jones and Jai Rodriguez, 10/21

"Rock of Ages" star Mark Shunock, who plays Lonny the narrator in the hit musical at the Venetian, is thrilled to announce that Opportunity Village will be the first charity to benefit from his new "Mondays Dark" series October 21, 2013, at 9:30 pm, at The Act inside The Venetian / Palazzo. In addition, some of the guests confirmed for the October 21st show include Dot-Marie Jones, three-time Emmy nominee for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series" for her role as Coach Beiste on GLEE, Jai Rodriguez (from MALIBU COUNTRY and QUEER EYE), as well as cast members from ROCK OF AGES and THE ACT in unique performances.

On the third Monday of every month at The Act at The Venetian / Palazzo, Shunock will gather an eclectic cast guests including stars from Hollywood, Vegas headliners, musical acts, athletes and celebrity chefs for 90 minutes of chat, entertainment - and a lot of laughs. Each month "Mondays Dark" will partner with a different Las Vegas-based charity and Shunock's goal is to raise $10,000 per month for each charity, with an estimated grand total of more $100,000 over the next twelve months. The framework of the evening will be modeled after a talk show format with topics, musical guests and very "off the cuff" moments. Each evening will be professionally filmed and uploaded to the Mondays Dark website to further spread the word and raise funds for each charity. "Mondays Dark" will also feature musical director Lon Bronson and his The Lon Bronson Band, one of the most acclaimed and the longest running bands in Las Vegas history.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.MondaysDark.com. VIP table reservations and bottle service are also available by calling 702-485-1262. "Mondays Dark" will occur every third Monday night of the month at The Act inside The Venetian/Palazzo at 9:30 pm. Follow us on Twitter @Mondays_Dark.

About Opportunity Village: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

Opportunity Village was founded in 1954 by seven families who were determined to give their disabled children the best lives possible. Nearly 60 years later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected Community Rehabilitation Programs in the United States. Nevada's largest employer of people with disabilities, Opportunity Village serves just over 3,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more productive and interesting. Opportunity Village citizens - individuals who were previously considered unemployable - work at Opportunity Village's Employment Resource Centers and in jobs throughout the community, collectively earning wages amounting to more than $7.6 million in 2012. They are hard-working and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading more fulfilling lives

Primarily a self-funded organization, Opportunity Village generates the majority of its operational funding through its employment contracts and fundraising efforts such as the Magical Forest and Great Santa Run, saving Nevada taxpayers $33.7 million annually.

About Mark Shunock: Mark Shunock's acclaimed career has spanned from theatre, film, television and, even the hockey arena. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, after a brief stint with the Canadian Hockey League, Mark knew his passion was not in the hockey arena but, on the stage. Following his hockey career, Mark headed to the USA and studied at the American Academy for the Dramatic Arts, which led to numerous productions performing in various regional theatres in and around New York City. Following his success on stage Mark was cast in a small, independent feature film and headed to Hollywood. Though success was following Mark in Los Angeles, a year later the excitement of New York brought Mark back to the Big Apple where he landed the role of "Timon," in the national tour of "The Lion King." For more than two years Mark performed the role in over 30 cities across the United States and even garnered a Helen Hayes Award nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" in 2009. Additional theatrical credits include "As Is," "Jersey Shoresical: A Frickin' Rock Opera," "The Temperamentals," Altar Boyz," "Miss Saigon," "The Awesome 80s Prom," and "The Skin of Our Teeth," among others. Mark most recently won critical acclaim for his portrayal of "Lonny" in "Rock of Ages," which is currently thrilling audiences at the Venetian in Las Vegas. Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkShunock.

About The ACT: The ACT, a performance-based nightclub located inside The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian | The Palazzo at 3327 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nev. 89109, is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. For more information, visit www.theactlv.com or contact 702.763.7371.

The 15,000-square-foot, multi-level space merges aesthetic elements ranging from an Italian opera house to European cathedrals, from New York City's Grand Central Station Post Office to a turn-of-the-century speakeasy. Guests experience the action unfold onstage from numerous perspectives, including private balcony boxes, banquettes on the dance floor and a backstage seating area that allows guests to mingle with the talent.

The ACT is the latest venture by Hammerstein, a seasoned theatrical producer and artistic director with nearly two decades of experience and who has been recognized in publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair, The New York Times and New York Magazine. Hammerstein is also president of the widely popular variety theatre, The Box, with locations in New York City and London. The creativity that won The Box international acclaim for award-winning design, exclusive clientele, extraordinary service, innovative live theatrical productions, and attendance by more than a million people since 2007 are channeled inside The ACT, making it the most exciting addition to the Las Vegas nightlife scene.

The ACT is managed by Variety Worldwide LLC ("VWW"), a global entertainment and hospitality company, led by Murtaza Akbar, Randy Weiner and Simon Hammerstein. Variety Worldwide invests in and manages projects that combine non-traditional theater with nightlife. Variety Worldwide partners created and manage successful brands such as The Box London and New York, along with providing entertainment for world-class events. Variety Worldwide manages The ACT brand, opening in Las Vegas and Dubai, as well as other key cities around the world.