The brutal language and actions of the quartet of dysfunctional singles at the heart of Patrick Marber's Closer should be a cake walk for Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company, known for its combustible, edgy acting style. The English drama, seen on Broadway in 1999, began previews at Steppenwolf's main stage July 6 and will open July 16 for a run through Aug. 27.

Starring are Gary Cole, Lia Mortensen, Bruce Norris and Heidi Mokrycki. Together -- as a failed novelist, a photographer, a doctor and a rudderless, erotic dancer-waif -- they will pair, un-pair, and pair again in different combinations, all the while displaying somewhat indelicate emotional instincts and calling each other "slags." Closer's quartet were originally played on Broadway by Natasha Richardson, Anna Friel, Rupert Graves and Ciaran Hinds, under Marber's direction.

Cole is a Steppenwolf ensemble member who most recently appeared in the theatre's production of Side Man. Norris is a well-known New York actor (most recently in Wrong Mountain), whose play The Infidel was produced by Steppenwolf earlier this year.

Abigail Deser, the director, has done extensive work with Roadworks Productions -- a company which frequently partners with Steppenwolf -- including This Is Out Youth and Disappeared.

Tickets are $32-$42. Steppenwolf is located at 1650 N. Halsted in Chicago. For more information, call (312) 335-1650.