John Nasca

CRITICALLY SPEAKING. . .

GRAND HOTEL

"Much of this beauty can also be attributed to the lush, spangled-and-fringed splendor of John Nasca's jaw-dropping wardrobe of 1920's costumes, designed with incomparable detail"
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre & Concert Reviews

"costumes were all top notch"
Alan Bresloff, Around the Town

"fire and color of John Nasca's costumes"
Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune

"John Nasca's handsome, late 1920s costumes lend a visual splendor to Kokandy's black box production" Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald

"Costume design by John Nasca captures the era with colorful flappers and well-dressed businessmen as well as the downtrodden dishwashers, maids and bellboys."
Jodie Jacobs, Chicago Theater and Arts

"and the many characters of this musical are clearly defined from the outset so that we can concentrate on their arcs as the story progresses. (This is also a compliment to costumer John Nasca.)"
Karen Topham, Chicago Onstage

"John Nasca's luxuriously detailed costumes are beautiful representations of fashion in the late 1920s"
Catey Sullivan, Windy City Times

"costume designs by John Nasca perfectly evoke the period"
Ed Tracy, Picksinsix

"and to costumer John Nasca for stamping this motley gang with individuality at first glance" Lawrence B. Johnson, Chicago on the Aisle

THE NANCE

"Nasca, who also designed the delightfully declasse costumes, stages the "real" burlesque numbers with flair and fire"
Kerry Reid, The Chicago Tribune

"The production, directed with heart and high energy by John Nasca (who also has designed dozens of fabulous costumes)"
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"Talented director and gifted Jeff Award-winning costumer John Nasca guides this excellent play, beautifully accommodating the limitations of this intimate storefront venue. John Nasca is the perfect choice to direct Douglas Carter Beane's glitzy, sadly comic drama. This is, after all, the director's specialty: period plays and musicals that offer glimpses of backstage drama and insight into a by-gone era."
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre & Concert Reviews

"staged for Pride Films and Plays with museum-accurate period authenticity ( fan dances, balloon dances, "Sister Kate's Shimmy" and the famous "Niagara Falls" sketch ) by John Nasca"
Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times

"John Nasca's spirited staging drives home Beane's bittersweet depiction of a showbiz dinosaur" Lawrence Bommer, Stage and Cinema

"Deftly directed by John Nasca, who also designed the adorable 30's costumes"
Debra Davy, Splash Magazine

"Director John Nasca (who also designed the productions vibrant, sparkling costumes) does an excellent job of setting the scene and putting us squarely in a time and place"
Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theater Beat

"riproaringly directed by John Nasca"
Nancy Bishop, Third Coast Review

PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT
"John Nasca's fabulous gowns."
Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune

"John Nasca's jaw-dropping costumes surpass even this talented designer's own past glories. Mr. Nasca's blindingly colorful, sequin-encrusted, spandex encased,beaded and feathered creations are worth the ticket price alone and have to be seen to be appreciated."
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre and Concert Reviews

"John Nasca's Ziegfeld-gorgeous costumes"
Lawrence Bommer, Stage and Cinema

"Costume designer John Nasca had moments of brilliance - in particular an inventive sequined headdress featuring paint brushes comes to mind."
Bec Willett, Performink Chicago

"amazing costumes designed by John Nasca... Filled with a dazzling array of costumes"
Tom Williams, Chicago Critic

"Like the classic musical Dreamgirls , Priscilla, Queen of the Desert's centerpiece is fashion. John Nasca has done an amazing job with his design of feathers, spangles and spandex. His Follies Girl costumes with paint brushes and rollers amidst huge ostrich plumed headdresses are a sight that will become etched in your memory. He saves his finest for the last number in the show when the trio comes out in jaw dropping sequin gowns. over-the-top glamour of Nasca's costumes"
Jim Schneider, Picture This Post

"John Nasca has done an outstanding job with his designs of feathers, spangles and spandex. My most favorite number of the evening was "Someone Left the Cake Out in the Rain" where his costumes looked like someone just raided a cake shop! He saves his finest for the last number in the show when the trio comes out in jaw dropping sequin gowns"
Bob Douglas, Showbiz Chicago

"wrapped in the dazzling frocks of Jeff Award-winner John Nasca, who prompts some double-takes with one gown themed in a salute to bedazzled beach flip-flops."
Philip Potempa, Post Tribune

"While John Nasca's extravagant costumes - enough sequins and outrageous headgear for a Ziegfeld folly - are a highlight of the evening,"
Anne Spiselman, Hyde Park Herald

"Awash in spangles, sparkles and wigs (costume designer John Nasca had his work cut out for him) never sacrificing all the required glitz and flash"
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"dazzling extravagance. John Nasca's array of shimmering gowns supply the requisite level of glitter-and-glam fabulosity,"
Mary Shen Barrnidge, Windy City Times

"And then there are the costumes! OMG, the costumes! They sparkle, they glitter, they're totally outrageous."
Carol Moore, Around the Town Chicago

"The bulk of the budget appears to have gone to costume designs by John Nasca. While the show features a couple of homages to the Oscar-winning wardrobe from the film, it's Nasca's original costumes that steal the show (without spoiling much, my favorites all involve pastries and manage to elevate a throw-away number from the Broadway production to a showstopper)."
Misha Davenport, Broadway World

"Another spectacular element to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was John Nasca's phenomenal costumes. Each new song brings out another round of spectacular fashion. You cannot look away for a second as you drink in all the details-from the glitzed out paint roller costumes, to the sparkly divas, to the cake hats during "MacArthur Park"! Each and every one is fabulous."
Alexis Bugajski, Picture This Post

DESIGN FOR LIVING
"it's a visual masterwork. It sets a new standard in style and class. But it's John Nasca's sumptuous costumes, perfectly designed and tailored with such care, that it takes this production far above most. It's a fashion show, with a runway that tells the audience much about each character. The hats and handbags are stunning and the gorgeous men's neckties are alone worth the ticket price. Everything worn by these fortunate actors in this production bespeaks culture and fine taste"
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre and Concert Reviews

"John Nasca's sumptuous costumes are worth the price of admission alone." "Once again, I want to single out John Nasca's impressive period costumes. The look here entrances. If I may borrow a line from the show, "I'm mad with joy" when recollecting them." "come for the costumes, stay for the farce"
Stephen Best, Time Square Chronicles

"On top of that, the gorgeous costumes are period perfect, giving the audience the perfect view into the height of 30's glamour."
Tommy Bullington, Buzz on Stage

"John Nasca's breathtaking period wardrobe ( right down to the neckties )"
Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times

THE BOY FROM OZ
"John Nasca's costumes pay glittery homage to designer Bob Mackie (for Liza), and to Allen's flashy, largely unbuttoned disco shirts."
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"John Nasca has designed several sequin-studded costumes for each performer, and are a treat in Stage 773's intimate space."
Jacob Davis, Chicago Critic

"The costumes are amazing for a lower budget theater (very impressive work by John Nasca)."
Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago

"John Nasca's absolutely stunning, flashy 70's costumes (wear sunglasses to avoid glare from all those sequins!)."
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre and Concert Reviews

"Kudos to costume designer John Nasca for sourcing the perfect looks to accompany these performances."
Robert Bullen, The Huffington Post

THE GLASS PROTEGE
"John Nasca's costume design is spot-on with both the 40s and 80s periods." "stunning period fashions and outlandish Hedda Hopper millinery"
Bellisant Corcoran-Mathe, Chicago Stage Standard

"Nasca's creations are lovely and effectively evoke the time periods presented."
Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review

BEAUTIFUL THING
"Director John Nasca does an exemplary job in bringing to stage this teenage-boys-come-to-grips-with-their-orientation-and-fall-in-love story and fine tuned each character."
Clint May, Chicago Critic

"Director John Nasca and cast pull this all off quite nicely...A classic"
John Olsen, Chicago Theatre Beat

"Director John Nasca is not interested in cheap laughs...and has drilled his cast in the nuances of subtextual authenticity....a refreshingly balanced narrative with boundaries reaching far beyond those of generic 'coming-out' romances."
Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times

"John Nasca's 'Beautiful Thing' was one of the most exciting theatrical experiences I've had. The performances and direction were top-notch. I, frankly, found it far more moving and electric than I did watching the film version several years before. The actors had impeccable British working-class dialects, too. It was a most impressive performance. It stayed with me for a long time; whenever I find myself thinking of characters later on 'down the road,' I know the show has really worked for me."
Doug Deuchler, drama critic for Oak Park's Wednesday Journal

REEFER MADNESS
"John Nasca's costumes are one of the highlights of the visual appearance of the show"
Al Bresloff-Around the Town Chicago

"top-drawer designed the wardrobe of 1930's costumes"
Dan Zeff-Stage and Cinema

"sensational costumes heighten the fun and camp appeal. They're dazzling."
Doug Deuchler-Wednesday Journal

LOVE SUCKS
"Under John Nasca's direction, the six cast members embrace their live-action-cartoon universe with an enthusiasm rendering its amoral inhabitants immediately engaging."
Mary Shen Barnidge, Windy City Times

THE RITZ
Named in the top 10 list for the best of Chicago Theatre 2010.
Marc Harshbarger, Deep Dish

LADY X
"Costume designer John Nasca has put together some sweet numbers. The task can’t be easy for Nasca with Jones and Cerda hitting the 6 foot mark. Nasca is up to the task and adorns the women AND men in dresses that would be the envy of Today’s hooker.”
Katy Walsh, Chicago Theatre Blog

POSEIDON! AN UPSIDE DOWN MUSICAL
"costumes are definitely Jeff-Award worthy. Nonnie and her band's matching outfits are a scream"
Marc Harshbarger, Deep Dish

“John Nasca nails the costumes, particularly the mystifying maxi-skirt-into-hot-pants outfits that I swear I never saw anyone wear other than in this film.”
Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune

DIE! MOMMIE, DIE!
“Costume designer John Nasca's over-the-top 60s fashions are a delight”
Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

“Cerda is aided and abetted by costume designer John Nasca, who provides him a parade of simultaneously gorgeous and hideous outfits.”
Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times

“Period pretty costumes.”
Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Free Press

“Fabulous 1960’s costumes.”
Colin Douglas, Center Stage

“John Nasca’s costume design adds to the campriffic authenticity and fun. This show looks as great as it plays.”
Venus Zarris, Gay Chicago Magazine

PHANTOM-PORCHLIGHT MUSIC THEATER
“The ensemble dances and sings effectively in John Nasca’s vivid period perfect costumes.”
Tom Williams, Chicago Critic.com

“John Nasca's costuming, which beautifully evokes the turn-of-the-20th-century period in France”
Daily Southtown Suburban Newspaper

“The costumes by John Nasca are as stunning as you'd expect to see in the high society of late-19th century Paris”
Chicago by John Olson

MOON OVER BUFFALO
“sepia tone production has some nice 1950’s detail, the costumes are especially fine”
Chicago Reader

VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM-Royal George Theater & Theatre Building Chicago
“Fabulous period costumes, created with a tongue in chic eye for hilarity, truly breathtaking” “costumes are wonderfully ingenious”
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

“wonderfully elaborate and screamingly funny costume designs”
“Best of all are John Nasca’s costumes: these rich yet tacky designs, ranging from the garish colors of Sodom, to the black and white sleekness of 20’s Hollywood (with West in a truly stunning long trained gown), are a perfect blend of absurdity and stylishness.”
Albert Williams, Chicago Sun-Times

“eye-popping costumes”
Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Tribune

“fabulous period costumes, created with a tongue in chic eye for hilarity.” “truly breathtaking gowns.”
Rick Karlin, Gay Chicago

"styles so neatly pegged by costume designer”
Anthony Adler, Chicago Reader

“drop dead finery!”
Lawrence Bommer, Windy City Times

“costumes evoke the clownish fashions of the era”
Tom Valeo, Daily Herald

“the costume designers mod fashion show got the biggest laughs”
Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune

“loud costumes left the audience roaring”
Liz Mather, Art & Performance magazine

“The avalanche of John Nasca’s delicious costumes and wigs are fresh and memorable as ever, a virtual glittering kaleidoscope of glitz and glamour. Like Cecil B. DeMillie’s The Ten Commandments, Vampire Lesbians is a costume epic.
Diane Levy Walis, Nightlilnes

THE WOMEN-Palladium Productions
“Incredible designed wardrobe, a dazzling procession of 1947 evening wear, that not only includes a fashion show but becomes one two and a half hour tour-de-force”
Lawrence Bommer, Windy City Times

“knockout costumes (75 of them), eye-catching, colorful costumes”
Fred Nuccio, Learner Newspapers

“elaborate and dazzling costuming”
J. Linn Allen, Chicago Reader

“75 of the most beautifully designed costumes I’ve ever seen. The most special accolade however, goes to the costume designer, John Nasca who showers us with evening gowns, skimpy exercise outfits, swim ware, tailored clothing, lingerie and yes, even a long white flowing wedding dress. The audience ooed and aahed with each costume.”
Ellen Cannon, WBEZ Saturday Edition

“costumes are to die for and very appropriate for the characters and period”
Rick Karlin, Gay Chicago

ON THE WATERFRONT, AMERICAN BLUES THEATER
“period perfect costumes”
Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Tribune

”And even the costumes contribute to the action that takes place between union goons who wear suits and camel hair coats against the working stiffs in wool caps, plaid shirts and dirty boots.”
Betty Mohr, Correspondent

RIGOLETTO-Circle Theater
“Words escape me in trying to describe his expertise in the art of costuming. The costumes alone are worth their own show”
Jackie Schulz, The Oak Leaves

THE LITTLE FOXES-The Village Players
“John Nasca’s vivacious gowns are truly stunning”
Doug Deuchler, The Oak Park Journal

ANYONE CAN WHITSLE-Pegasus Players
“Costumes add a hip futuristic flavor”
Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

“iridescent, eye-popping outfits”
Rick Karlin, Gay Chicago

“the sets are effectively complemented by the high tech costumes”
Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

ANY BONDS TODAY-The Village Players
“Much of the authentic glamour and class of this production lies in the impressive work of John Nasca, who created all the many different period costumes”
Doug Deuchler, The Oak Park Journal

GREAT WHITE HOPE-Pegasus Players
“One of the best Designers in Chicago’s off-Loop scene”
Rick Karlin-Gay Chicago

TINTYPES-THE SET GOURMET THEATRE
“sumptuous, colorful period gowns and suits virtually shimmer”
John W. Schmid, Gay Chicago

GUYS AND DOLLS, THE VILLAGE PLAYERS
“costumes are appropriately, simultaneously gaudy and classy”
Doug Deuchler, The Oak Park Journal

THE MIRACLE WORKER, CIRCLE THEATER
“charming period costumes capture the muted elegance of the Late Victorian South.”
Doug Deuchler, The Oak Park Journal