Latin Comedian Leaves Mark on Long Island

October 25, 2007 - New York, N.Y. – Award-winning comedian and singer Jade Esteban Estrada earned a standing ovation for his performance of the self-penned solo musical comedy ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 1 on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington in Huntington, New York. The Comedy Central star was the headlining entertainment for the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Long Island’s Sweet Sixteen Celebration. The opening acts for the event included singer/songwriter Michael Bondi and the Long Island Pride Chorus. Proceeds from the event will benefit the all-volunteer Gay and Lesbian Switchboard of Long Island which has supported the LGBT community with resources, support and counseling for the past 16 years.

“It was a special evening,” states Bill McCarthy, one of the organizers of the event. “His ability to entertain is so strong and special.”

“His changes in character were magnificent. He is so talented,” raved audience member Mac Speights.

Beauty. Art. Flamboyance. Love. Struggle. Fame. The man The Advocate and Out Magazine call "the first gay Latin star" celebrated the world premiere of ICONS at the 2002 Columbus National Gay and Lesbian Theatre Festival in Columbus Ohio. In the show, Estrada portrays Sappho, Michelangelo, Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Sylvia Rivera and Ellen DeGeneres.

"'ICONS' is part history lesson, part musical, part politics and ALL entertainment," states Jennifer Chung of the San Diego Daily Transcript. Tom Sime of the Dallas Morning News calls it, "funny and irreverent…a feel-good session for gay people." Lisa Gauthier of Nuvo in Indianapolis states, "I'm not gay…but I loved these shows." “Estrada is one of the finest American solo theatre artists of the 21st century,” states the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Estrada debuted his first solo show “It’s Too Late…It’s Already In Me…” at the Festival de Libre Enganche in 1997 and a decade later has been compared to Ruth Draper, Lily Tomlin and other luminaries in the field of solo theatre.

“You’ve got to hand it to Jade Esteban Estrada – he works hard for his money, bringing ICONS to such places as Nebraska, West Virginia and Idaho,” states Florida’s Watermark.

Estrada's television credits include appearances on the Emmy award-winning comedy “30 Rock” and “Friday Night Lights” on NBC, the Emmy-nominated "In the Life TV" on PBS, and "The Graham Norton Effect" on Comedy Central. His popular Latin dance music can be heard on the Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning police drama, "The Shield" on the FX Network.

Estrada’s other solo shows include “Gay Christian, Gay Muslim, Gay Jew,” “Pico de Gallo,” and “Tortilla Heaven.” He is currently on location shooting the upcoming feature film, “The Innocents” directed by Brett Mauser. See him speak about his life and work on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DERgoYAU2pM.

Estrada appears on the October cover of the Southwest Actors Guide.

For further information or to request high resolution artwork or an interview, please contact Greta Golding at vicariouspr@aol.com, call 646-342-8647 or visit www.getjaded.com or www.myspace.com/jadeinamerica.