In the age of sequels, which usually are never as good as the original, Jade

Esteban Estrada's "ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 2" was not only another fantastic performance of six other gay and lesbian icons, but was done in a much different, upbeat style than "ICONS." Once again I saw the talent Jade possesses and the vision that he has in the characters chosen to once again help educate the audience more on who began the ball rolling for us who are gay and lesbian today. 

     In "ICONS 2," Jade portrays: Alexander the Great, Queen Christina of Sweden, Susan B. Anthony, Billie Jean King, Harvey Milk, and Mark K. Bingham. I have sat down many times to write this review and been unable to put the words down simply because of a very personal connection between the last person he portrayed. 

     Jade performed this at the Columbus National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival in September 2004 and won the award for Audience Favorite in Solo Performance. His music, lyrics, and costumes (his transitions between characters and the costume changes are perfect) for each character, makes it obvious how the audience would choose him as their favorite. Not only have I learned from his shows and been entertained, I am always impressed with the ability he has to take a character, write the lyrics that teach or bring the audience into that character's life. He always puts on a good show. It made the three and half hour road trip to see it worth the drive. 

     Each character he portrays, the song or songs that go with that characterization, do an excellent job bringing that person up close and personal where they actually become a part of who you are. They all did something that set them apart from other gays and lesbians of their time, things that boost the confidence of gays, lesbians, and others today, because of their courage to be themselves.

     With the exception of Queen Christina, I was familiar with each of the other characters-the last three all being from modern time. Of those three, Billie Jean King is the only one still living. It was the vignette about Mark that created what I would call "writer's block" when it came to writing this review about "ICONS 2."

     Having known Mark Bingham since the early 1990's and with Jade's song, it was not only moving, saddening at the remembrance of losing him on September 11th on Flight 93, but for the first time it made me visualize what transpired that morning. After I had seen "ICONS," I asked Jade who the characters were in "ICONS 2." It was then I learned Mark was one of the six. The song Jade wrote about Mark is called, "Someday You Might Be a Hero." In comparison to the other characters, Mark would never have been considered as an icon if it were not for September 11th. He was a great man, but his actions that day made him the hero he is known for today. I remember telling Jade that Mark was so unassuming and would be embarrassed at all the attention he has received because of being himself. He just was who he was-a person who I am lucky to be able to say was my friend.

     Because of the personal connection with Mark, I have chosen to talk about his portrayal since I can relate to what happened and to give you a glimpse of one of the now twelve "children" that Jade has created. Each characterization shows you the real side of the person being portrayed, yet September 11th has changed us all. Even knowing the details of what led up to Mark being on Flight 93 that dreadful Tuesday morning, in my mind it all began with the cell phone calls, the heroic stance that Mark and the others took to help protect our country from another jet crashing to continue the terror begun earlier that morning. However, there was a big piece I had buried in my mind and I was presented with an actual visualization of Mark's morning before boarding the plane up to the phone calls. As Jade walked around the stage, I saw Mark. That is how true to the character Jade is when performing.

     In Jade's performance about Mark, he has a carry-on bag on rollers, running around the stage with it because he was late for the flight and was hurrying to catch it. Then stowing his luggage, sitting in his chair, with no knowledge that because of being on Flight 93 and his strong character, he would go down in the history books as one of the men who helped bring Flight 93 down-being gay had nothing to do with what he did. Mark was a hero who happened to be gay. Part of me left all of what happened that day to him in Pennsylvania, removed from my life in Texas, yet Jade drew me and the audience in, and for the first time I saw the simple parts of that morning. In many ways, it finally made it real. Mark did not do what he did hoping for notoriety, through Jade's performance of Mark's actions, I finally understood why Jade had chosen him for "ICONS 2." Because of Jade, I now have a good glimpse of how Mark's morning went-to the point I will never not see him running through the airport to catch his plane and doing what we all do when boarding a jet.

     Each character in this show brings out a lesson for us all, from different times of history, which took great courage for them to be gay or lesbian, as it does even today. Watching Jade's shows makes you realize you truly do not set out to be an icon or hero, it is by the actions and decisions you make in life that history will define and record, whether it is in the history books or performed by an entertainer like Jade who sees the importance of what certain people have done that we all, no matter what your sexual orientation, have to learn from, the example they have shown that we can follow, and also shows no matter who you are, you can do great things.

     I have a great deal of respect and admiration of Jade for what he does because anyone who takes his or her life and devotes it to showing the world that being gay or lesbian has nothing to do with the potential each of us possess. James Harvey Robinson said, "Each of us is great insofar as we perceive and act on the infinite possibilities which lie undiscovered and unrecognized about us" and F. W. Faber reminds us to "remember that if the opportunities for great deeds should never come, the opportunities for good deeds are renewed day by day. The thing for us to long for is the goodness, not the glory." Jade's shows to me are "great deeds" for us all. What sets him apart from others is that he does it from the goodness of his heart and soul, not for writers like myself to glorify him only for his performances--which are outstanding. I am fortunate Jade and I share a mutual friendship and through time I have begun to see him as an icon.

     There are reviews, interviews, etc. with Jade on his website (www.getjaded.com) including "A Human Thing," my interview and review of "ICONS" (QBliss.net February Cover Story). You will also find show schedules there and if either of them are coming close enough for you to attend, get a group of your friends and family together and go. You will not only be entertained, educated, and uplifted, but you will see a man whose love for what he is doing has no bounds. Fortunately for us, Jade has been called to write and perform these shows. For those who have seen one or both of the shows and they return to your area, tell your friends so they too can experience what is one of the noblest things being done by a performer today. Jade has done such a great deal with his shows for the gay and lesbian community and for those with HIV/AIDS by donating proceeds of his shows to organizations. What better thing can you think of doing than going to see a wonderful performance and know the money is going to help people in need within that local community? 

     It is by Jade's actions that I become inspired and realize that sometimes we all fall short of what our potential truly can be. When you see him perform, you will understand completely. Jade has devoted his life to doing this and we all need to take note of his example and aspire to find our calling in life that helps others instead of just always doing things in life for ourselves. Billy Graham said, "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened." Jade shows a tremendous amount of courage by his shows and I know I am not alone in having become a better person because of him. Do not miss the opportunity to see that and apply it to your own life so that the world, when you leave it, is a better place.

 

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