Let's see, he started as a chorus boy. He's a choreographer. An actor. He

won awards as a comedian. His debut CD, "Angel," spawned a hit single before it was even released.

     Oh, he also speaks--and performs--in three different languages.

     My first question during this week's interview with Jade Esteban Estrada was obvious: "What do I call you?"

     "I say I'm a 'performing artist' and call it a day," he said. 

     All that achievement, youth, and good looks--if it doesn't make you sigh and shake your head in wonderment then it probably makes you ill.

     Estrada understands. He's used to the tall poppy effect. In his world, he's experienced the inherent, good-natured kvetching about success and fame. 

     "In the Latin culture there's this thing that everybody's mildly familiar with, this kind of self disparaging humor," he said. "It's a pretty much born out of the fact that we were always second class citizens and immigrants. It's thing constant making fun of anyone who gets ahead even slightly. There's a bit of shame to it. It's playful and a joke, but it's also kind of  real. the message is 'Who do you think you are, acting like that?'

     "My grandmother has a couple of sayings in Spanish that come from this. When someone asks a question--like 'What time is CNN on?' or 'When is Veteran's Day?' --instead of saying, 'I don't know' she'll say, 'only God and the American's know. If someone does something stupid, she shakes her head and says, 'Oh, Mexico please come and get your people.'"

     There's also this physicalization, this kind of sticking out your tongue and going 'Nyah!' when someone says, 'I just got valedictorian' or 'I'm nominated for a Golden Globe' It means 'Who do you think you are? You think you're Julia Roberts, but your not!'"

     "I will never take myself seriously for that reason. The fact is, its' funny when we're prideful."

     Funny then that Estrada should be making an appearance this weekend at a Pride event- the Tulsa Pride Parade and the Pride Picnic, some of the many events this weekend celebrating local gay pride. Estrada will be one of the grand marshals in the parade--this year down Cherry Street-- and will perform at 6 p.m. at the picnic in Veteran's Park. 

     Also appearing in the parade and performing at the picnic are singer-pianist Rachel Sage and gay Christian singer Jason Warner.

     Estrada was humbled right out of the gate. During a community theatre production in his hometown of San Antonio, he longed to run with the local stars. His talent help him back before in pushed him forward.

     "I was one of the brothers in 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' and I thought I was a star. I was young and inexperienced. I had a great voice but I didn't know to use it. I sang too loud on the soft parts and and was upstaging all over the place.

     "Then there was a group after the show that did this thing called Currently Playing. It was a flashy, nice, sophisticated six-person cabaret show doing numbers from the current shows on Broadway. It was so cool and slick, and I wanted to be part of it. One of the choreographers in the show told me I wouldn't be suitable, and I asked why. She said, 'Jade, you stand out too much. It's not a bad thing, it's just who you are. You stand out because you're special. Don't let anyone pull you back.' I was offended at first, but eventually I realized it was more a fit than a curse."

     Now Estrada travels the world, performing for unintentionally segregated audiences. When he plays a mainstream festival, he gets a mainstream crowd. At the Latin festivals, it's a Latin-American crowd. At the pride events, it's a gay and lesbian crowd. But it's always the same punchy, high-energy show. 

     The pride events came later, too.

     "I never had time to go to gay pride days," he said laughing.  "I've been a chorus boy all my life. We're all looking to get on Broadway or to get our next gig. We're extras on 'One Life to Live.' The gay pride gays in New York were always on the day of Woody Allen's latest shoot where I was being an extra for $75 a day.

     "So when I played a pride festival in Utica, New York--my second--I was kind feeling it. I had kind of made a decision not to make my private life public, but I was getting in the spirit. I have a religious background, so when I get on stage and get inspired, I preach the word. I wound up coming out. I just said, I'm very proud to be a gay Latino," and the next thing I know it's in the Advocate."

     This is Estrada's second Tulsa visit. Four years ago, when he was working as a choreographer, he helped stage a gala anniversary event for American Airlines.

     "It was snowing like you wouldn't believe," he recalled. "I'm ready to get out there and sweat."

©2002 Tulsa World