Jade portrayed Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, et al with a fierceness that quite blew me away. A must-see for how he brings intense life to these LGBT icons, as well as for the shows entertaining musical numbers.

John Chatterton

Producers of the Midtown International Theatre Festival

New York, NY

ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1 is something every queer person should see. LGBT history comes alive in a moving, witty and humorous way. Jade Esteban Estrada does an exceptional job offering up six different ICONS, with six different stories and perspectives on LGBT history. From Gertrude Stein's gruff recollection of World War II to Sylvia Rivera's Nuyorican perspective of the Stonewall Riots, Estrada reminds us that we are all in this together: straight, gay/lesbian, bisexual, transgendered..."It's not a gay thing...it's a human thing.."And that is a lesson we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

As a performer, Estrada is a joy to work with. All the talent of a top-notch star, and the humility and easy nature that wins audiences hearts. His sincerity and care for each of the ICONS and the audience members is enduring and adds to the overall impression of the piece. You love the characters and you love him. This makes for a memorable night of high quality theatre. Half the fun is watching the amazing transformations Estrada makes from light and airy Sappho to impassioned Michelangelo; from the witty Oscar Wilde to Gertrude Stein (with her sensible shoes); But nothing is funnier than Gertrude Stein in Sylvia Rivera's spike heels!

ICONS is a well-researched, informative, moving and funny look at LGBT history. ICONS you know (and some you don't know, but should) teach us about who we are as people by offering us a look at some points along the road to where we are today. Witty monologues weave humor and history into a fun filled evening of theatre. You'll find yourself humming the songs after the lights come on and you've headed home. ICONS is an important show that everyone in the LGBT community should see.

Paul David Stanko

All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church

Minneapolis, MN

Jade Esteban Estrada truly mesmerizes his audience in his magnetic production of ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1, as we, the audience and the participants, are drawn into a world of ICONS who we know, but have never truly grasped the magnitude of their contributions to queer history and humanity.

Jade's masterful performance weaves a world, filled with laughter, love and enlightenment where you were able to feel the pulse, pain and joy of the ICONS he embodies. You are left with no choice but to be captivated and transported through the pages of time, igniting a desire to learn more of our past, cementing a pride in where we have come from vision of where we are destined to go.

Through Jade's inconceivable artistry and flair, he seduces you in a state of ecstasy where you are hanging on his every word, simply begging for more.

Jason Relph

St. Augustine Pride 2004

St. Augustine, FL

It was through producing Jade Esteban Estrada's ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1 that I realized how much times have changed. Remember the 80s? When going to gay pride was a risk? When if you were seen on TV there you might lose your job? You were even afraid to say hi to your boss, who was there for the same reason you were! But it's different now. We are producing a gay show and we are part of the mainstream.

We felt honored to have this level of talent on our stage, as well as the message the show carried, that gay people have made a difference in history since the dawn of time--whether the people around them knew it or not, we've been in the thick of it all. Because the media covered Jade's performance extensively, it made being gay feel "legit."

The fact that Jade's tour has brought this show to to some smaller cities, like Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and that it's even played in Peoria shows that there is a new wave of acceptance and interest in gay material. Years back folks would be afraid to be seen walking in the door. I was probably one of them.

Watching this show made me realize that the world is changing. We at Ragged Blade Productions enjoyed laying some pavement in this changing landscape.

Jerry Rabushka

Ragged Blade Productions

St. Louis, MO

From the raucous Reggaeton infected presentation at Ibizas on Wednesday night featuring up and coming Boricua/Dominican star Luna Fina, the company switched gears to welcome gay Latino performance artist Jade Esteban Estrada at Wings Theatre in Greenwich Village with a Jose Feliciano inspired musical motif. (Estrada is also the host of the 10th Annual Miss National Puerto Rican Day Parade Queen 2005 Cultural Pageant held today at Robert H. Lehman Auditorium and has appeared on Comedy Central.)

The gracious Tex Mex powerhouse brought Sylvia Rivera to life onstage to effectively compliment the musical/word performance of El Extremes Electric Cabaret.

Drawing from his trilogy ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Jade brought back to life the Stonewall veteran Sylvia Rivera who helped instigate the famous Stonewall Riots in 1969. Rivera died in February 2002.

In the case of including Jade there was a natural progression from El Extreme's impersonation of the Nuyorican Cafe's gay cofounder Miguel Algarin ("We, part of the avant guarde? My boy, this has been going on for centuries in bistros and cafes alike!") to Jade's creative interpretation of Stonewall's Sylvia Rivera.

It was an honor for us to have Jade come on board for the opening night at Wings Theatre.

Luis Chaluisan

Producer/Director of SPIC CHIC at the Wings Theatre

New York, NY

Jade, thank you again so very much! I was thrilled you were able to perform here in Knoxville!

Gary Elgin

Producer of Rainbow Awareness's Knoxville Comes Out! 2006

Knoxville, TN

Jade Esteban Estrada's last visit was a huge success not only for our community but for the Grace House, too! A standing ovation says it all.

Jade weaves music and comedy to bring these gay and lesbian ICONS (some well known and some that may surprise you) to life in a colorful and entertaining way that would make Broadway and history teachers all drool.

Knol Aust

Producer of Unity Mississippi's Outoberfest 2005

Jackson, MS

The staff is still talking about your show and so are the participants! They have never seen anything like it before (except Aundaray who saw ICONS already) and were amazed by the whole performance--everyone including myself! You are so very talented and creative and nice--amazing, yet a rare combination! Thank you again for sharing with all of us your wonderful creation and for being our guest at Pride For Youth. The people here will never forget what you gave us.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Michael Mantell

Pride For Youth/Long Island Crisis Center

Bellmore, NY

You were very well received when you came to entertain us in the Quad Cities with your wonderful show ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1. All that came to your show enjoyed it immensely. We were wondering if you would stop by the Quad Cities while in nearby Des Moines to perform ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 2 for us.

ICONS was extremely successful as a kick-off for our Gay and Gray media campaign.

Stephanie Phillips/Joyce Wiley

Quad Citians Affirming Diversity

Rock Island, IL