Chris Rock Will Make His Broadway Debut One Week Earlier in Motherf**ker with the Hat

By Andrew Gans
10 Dec 2010

Chris Rock
Chris Rock

Stephen Adly Guirgis' star-filled Motherf**ker with the Hat, which is described as "a new high-octane, verbal cage match about love, fidelity, and misplaced haberdashery," will arrive on Broadway one week earlier than previously announced.

The production, which had been scheduled to begin previews March 22, 2011, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, will now kickoff its run March 15, according to a production spokesperson. Opening night remains April 11.

As previously reported, the cast will boast the talents of Bobby Cannavale (Jackie), Elizabeth Rodriguez (Veronica), Annabella Sciorra (Victoria), Yul Vazquez (Cousin Julio) and comic Chris Rock (Ralph D.); the latter will be making his Broadway debut.

Anna D. Shapiro directs the limited 14-week run.

According to press notes for the play, "Jackie and Veronica have been in love since the 8th grade. But now, Jackie is on parole and living clean and sober under the guidance of his sponsor, Ralph D, while still living and loving with his volatile soul mate Veronica who is fiercely loving, but far from sober. Still, their love is pure. And true. Nothing can come between them – except a hat." The production will feature scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Mimi O'Donnell and lighting design by Donald Holder.

Guirgis' plays include Jesus Hopped the A Train, Little Flower Of East Orange, In Arabia We'd All Be Kings, Our Lady Of 121st Street, Den Of Thieves and Dominica The Fat Ugly Ho.

The play will be produced on Broadway by Scott Rudin, The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson), LAByrinth Theater Company (Co-Artistic Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell & Yul Vázquez; Managing Director Danny Feldman) and Stuart Thompson.

Ticket information will be announced at another time. The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is located at 236 West 45th Street.