Mark Shunock Announces June Edition of “Mondays Dark” to Benefit
Rudy Foundation with Special Showcase, “Mama Rocks A Million Boys” Featuring The Strip’s Four Resident Broadway Shows at Vinyl inside
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Monday, June 16th at 8:30 p.m.
Mark Shunock is proud to announce that the June showcase of Mondays Dark will take place on Monday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m. at Vinyl inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Following the success of last month’s “Boy Band Night,” 100 percent of the ticket proceeds from the June showcase will benefit Rudy Foundation, and will feature the music of Tony-nominated musicals in an electrifying evening, “Mama Rocks A Million Boys,” showcasing energetic scene favorites from the four celebrated Las Vegas Broadway musicals: Mamma Mia!, Rock of Ages, Million Dollar Quartet, and Jersey Boys.
“Last month’s ‘Boy Band Night’ was a blast, and this month’s Broadway-themed show shouldn’t be missed, especially with the Tony Awards coming up very soon,” says Shunock, who plays Lonny in the hit Rock of Ages at The Venetian. “The support of the community and the performers here in Las Vegas has truly inspired me to take ‘Mondays Dark’ to a new level each month so that we can continue to raise much needed funds for local charities.”
Every month, Shunock gathers an eclectic cast of guests including stars from Hollywood, the Strip, musical acts, athletes and celebrity chefs for 90 minutes of chat, entertainment – and a lot of laughs. Mondays Dark partners with a different Las Vegas-based charity to raise money each month for that charity through ticket sales and silent auction items.
This month, “Mondays Dark” will partner with recent Best of Henderson honoree Rudy Foundation, a 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities by bringing people together, providing scholarship opportunities in the areas of education, sports, and the performing arts, and making a positive impact on the lives of others.
“It’s an honor to be selected as the charity of choice for Mondays Dark,” says Cheryl Ruettiger, co-founder and executive director of Rudy Foundation. “Mark and Rudy Foundation have a common goal of empowering the youth of Las Vegas through the performing arts in ways that bring our community together.”
Rudy Foundation was inspired by the story of Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger, a Las Vegas local who grew up in a small town with the dream of playing football at Notre Dame University. Against all obstacles, from low grades and financial hardship to his 5’6” stature, Ruettiger’s spirit and determination persevered, allowing him to be an instrumental force in his team’s win against Georgia Tech. The story of his triumph was told in the 1993 blockbuster film, Rudy, starring Sean Astin.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.MondaysDark.com and are limited to 200 tickets per event. For more information please call 702-485-1262. Follow us on Twitter @Mondays_Dark. To donate silent auction items please call 702-485-1262.
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 theaters 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 Rudy Foundation:
Rudy Foundation is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities by bringing people together, providing scholarship opportunities in the areas of education, sports, and the performing arts, and making a positive impact on the lives of others. Its subsidiary, Rudy International Motivational Speakers Ltd. was honored for the 2014 Best of Henderson Award in the Trade Show Arrangement category by the Henderson Award Program. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/RudyFoundation.
About Vinyl:
Vinyl is Hard Rock Hotel’s most intimate live entertainment venue. Emanating a speakeasy atmosphere, Vinyl
features an industrial look and feel with Chicago-common brick and cinderblock, distressed wood floors and an
exposed, sky-high ceiling. Fans can check out new and upcoming talent performing rock, metal, jazz, blues,
and even stand-up comedy and country. For tickets and information please call (702) 693-5882. Follow Vinyl
on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and updates.
About Hard Rock Hotel & Casino:
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is Las Vegas’ off-strip playground, just minutes and less than three miles from McCarran International Airport. The premier destination entertainment resort is owned by Brookfield Real Estate Finance Fund II and managed by WG-Harmon, LLC, a subsidiary of Warner Gaming, LLC. Built in 1995, the property completed a $750 million expansion in 2010. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers an energetic entertainment and gaming experience with the services and amenities associated with a boutique luxury resort hotel. The property is known for its innovative nightlife and music scene where acts such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Carlos Santana, Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses have all performed. Features of the property include an 11-story Casino Tower with 640 guest rooms, 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites, and the HRH All-Suite Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouse suites; 72,000 square feet of casino space featuring Peacock High-Limit gaming and Asian gaming amenities; 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention space; more than $4 million in rare music memorabilia; Body English Nightclub; Reliquary Water Sanctuary, Spa & Salon; 4.5 acres of tropical pool paradise housing world-famous pool parties REHAB Saturdays and Sundays and RELAX Mondays; live music/entertainment venues The Joint and Vinyl; Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.; restaurants Culinary Dropout, Nobu, The Ainsworth, 35 Steaks + Martinis, Pink Taco, Mr. Lucky’s Café and 福Fú; a fitness center; and trendsetting retailers John Varvatos, Affliction, Love Jones and Rocks The Jewelers. For room availability and additional information call 800.HRD.ROCK (800.473.7625) or visit hardrockhotel.com. Follow Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and updates.