Lenore Zann, The Power of X-Men Podcast, and Shelf Love Book Club

This event will take place at Books & Books in Coral Gables. RSVP is free. If you can't make it or want your copy early, you can buy the book here.

Despite numerous obstacles, small-town girl Lenore Zann caught the acting bug early. She was "discovered" at 19 and chosen to play Marilyn Monroe in a rock opera based on the life of the tragic movie star. Her powerhouse performance kickstarted her career, leading to hundreds of acting credits in film, TV, theatre, radio, and animation, including her iconic portrayal of Rogue in the very popular animated series X-Men: The Animated Series.

A Rogue's Tale reveals the good, the bad, and the ugly in show business. It recounts her personal interactions with Stephen Spielberg, Tiny Tim, Craig Russell, and Rita MacNeil, dating celebrities Keanu Reeves, Andy Gibb, Lou Gossett Jr, and Page Fletcher, and working with award-winning actors and directors such as Sam Rockwell, Mark Wahlberg, Clark Gregg, Henry Czerny, Atom Egoyan, Antoine Fuqua, and other Hollywood heavyweights.

Despite a successful acting career, in a strange twist of fate, like Marilyn Monroe herself, alcohol and drugs brought Lenore to her knees at the age of 36. But unlike Marilyn (who succumbed to her addictions at the same age), Lenore decided the braver choice was to live, which led to a powerful spiritual awakening and a new sense of purpose. This decision has enabled Lenore to fly to even greater heights on the magical wings of Disney.

Like her iconic character Rogue, Lenore Zann's determination to rise from the ashes again and again, to stand up not only for herself but for others, is a masterful lesson in how to roll with the punches, to awaken the inner superhero, and constantly re-emerge from devastation and destruction―like the mythical Phoenix.

A Rogue's Tale will appeal to readers of all ages who are looking for a fresh voice and perspective on life with a pop culture twist to help them navigate their own journey during uncertain and dangerous times.

Award-winning actor Lenore Zann has performed in theatrical productions across North America and in Europe with hundreds of credits in film, TV, radio, theatre, and animation, including her original one-woman play, The Marilyn Tapes, which she performed off Broadway. A tireless champion of the arts, women, and social and environmental justice, Lenore also served as a popular elected official for 12 years in both provincial and federal levels of the Canadian government as a Member of the Legislature (MLA) for Nova Scotia, and later as a Member of Parliament (MP). Her Private Member's Bill, An Act to Address Environmental Racism, was the first bill of its kind in North America. Beloved by fans around the world as the iconic voice of Rogue in the 1990s X-Men: The Animated Series, Zann is reprising her role in the new Marvel series X-Men '97 on Disney+. Lenore is the recipient of the 2014 Duke of Edinburgh Gold Lifetime Award for Service to Community & Country and a 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Arts and Culture. A Rogue's Tale is her first book.

The Power of X-Men podcast is hosted by New York-based auctioneer Paul Florez-Taylor. The podcast has been featured in The New York Post, Bleeding Cool News, BuzzFeed, and more. Paul previously worked at Marvel Entertainment and was a writer for Wizard Magazine. He has hosted panels at LA Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. With over 47,000 subscribers, Power of X-Men continues to be a leading voice in comic book and pop culture discussion. Paul currently divides his time between Coconut Grove and New York City.

Darryl founded Shelf Love Book Club to challenge readers to explore books they might not normally consider, embracing different genres, authors, and storytelling styles. What started as a small personal project has grown into a dynamic platform, reaching others who share its values of diversity and discovery. Shelf Love continues to evolve beyond just reading books, focusing on fighting for the freedom to read, elevating important stories, and empowering marginalized voices that deserve to be heard. Instagram: @FLShelfLove

Also check out other Arts events in Coral Gables, Theatre events in Coral Gables, Entertainment events in Coral Gables.