Closer presented by AstonRep Theatre at Heartland Studio Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Not Recommended

"...Though I caught the show in a preview, I'm not sure that more time in front of an audience will do much to allay the misguided overlong scene changes or the aggravating Pinterlike pauses. This isn't "Betrayal," though portions of the story of four Londoners exchanging partners and vitriol over nearly half a decade recall that superior piece. Aja Wiltshire as Alice, the purest soul among the quartet, delivers an unfussy performance, but there aren't enough nuances here to hold our interest over two-plus hours."

Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended

"... Marber's shock effects aren't what they used to be. His emotional roller coaster creaks now where it used to jolt, and though Rob Cramer's cast stay on top of things, scene changes in this AstonRep Theatre production deplete the energy still further."

Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended

"...Limited by tight confines as well as by the scenic demands, director Rob Cramer has elected to stage his play with minimal scenery. His decision wisely focuses on the characters, rather than the dozen locales in which the story unfolds. If only the scene changes allowed the story to flow more smoothly."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...AstonRep does an admiral job with this excellent play. All of the actors are strong, the sets properly minimalistic, the soundscape studied. The problems of this production are minor: the actors sound like they’re all from the same rather upper-crust London neighborhood, which obfuscates to the inherent class-conflicts in the script between Larry and Dan, Alice and Anna (although Larry occasionally sounds lower-class, and they all slip a few American r’s in); tighter lighting and sound cues, as well as wheels for the heavier objects on stage, would trim the rough edges in scene changes, which the production will probably shed in time. And most importantly, the actors on stage really let the source material shine through. Closer makes for agreeable and affordable evening."

Chicago Stage and Screen - Somewhat Recommended

"...Keeping it simple just doesn't cut it for this show, or at least that's what the theme seemed to be from my point of view. Everything was choppy and unfit, and revising the set would be a tremendous help to this production. Thankfully one good thing can be said, three out of the four actors were able to maintain very impressive British accents throughout the show. The acting itself was decent, although not the best I've seen here in Chicago. For Aja Wiltshire making her Chicago debut in a nicely done performance, other than that nothing more can be said on the quality of this production."

Chicago Theater Beat - Somewhat Recommended

"...Marber’s writing dabbles a bit in romantic comedy, melodrama, and tragedy, but Closer defies any neat Hollywood genre placement. Unlike many writers of our time, he allows the story to drive itself in any direction it needs. The folks behind AstonRep understand this, but they aren’t able to articulate it."