History
is a rickety foundation for theater. Events that
happen in chronological
time don't always follow
a dramatic arc. The playwright must select
events that build to a satisfying climax.
For most of his one-man show, "ICONS, The
Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1,"
Jade Esteban Estrada does just that.
The New York-based artist begins with a
portrayal of Sappho (in a red curly wig) and
ends with Ellen DeGeneres (as a sensible
blonde). In between, he portrays Michelangelo,
Oscar Wilde and Gertrude Stein. He also puts on
platform heels and transforms himself into
transgendered activist and Stonewall Inn riot
veteran Sylvia Rivera.
Estrada's lyrics and dialogue are not always
elegant because he includes such a large number
of historical factoids about gay liberation. But
he gets away with the bumpy dramatic structure
because of a good-natured stage presence and a
playful singing voice. Even though he tackles
serious subjects, he never allows the show to
become didactic or heavy-handed.
The set is minimal but effective. There's a
table at the back of the stage that holds wigs
for each of the characters.
Estrada changes
costumes in front of the audience, and the
transitions between characters are often as
funny as the characters themselves.
Estrada dons a long black wig (imagine Alan
Rickman's wig from the Harry Potter movies) to
create a manic version of Oscar Wilde. If he
doesn't exactly match your image of the
flamboyant Wilde, the character is hilarious
nonetheless.
Estrada's bug-eyed portrayal of Gertrude Stein
is brilliant. He puts on stodgy clothes, plain
shoes and a severe wig. By inserting mega pauses
between lines of dialogue, he creates
considerable comic tension with Stein's
character.
On opening night, the most affecting moment
occurred after the official end of the show.
Estrada turned to local comic Steve Moore and
said that he found Moore's HBO comedy special
about life with HIV personally inspirational. He
told Moore that you never know when one may
become an icon for other people.
That one
gesture crystallized the meaning of the entire
show.
©2004
Style Weekly
