Chris Rock on the Play for Everybody: THE MOTHER F**KER WITH THE HAT

In a recent interview with Broadway Beat, comedian Chris Rock went on the record about making his Broadway debut in the new play THE MOTHER FU**KER WITH THE HAT. Rock told Broadway Beat, "I just like this play so much. I like the fact that sometimes Broadway can be a little over the average man's head, but this play is for evrybody. It works on so many levels. It's like the kinda play that could work at the Apollo or the Met. That's what I like to do with my stand up- have an act that works for everybody, and this play gets them all."

He added, "It's so honest and real. If you walked into our rehearsal, or you were listening from outside you would go 'when does rehearsal start?' Because it sounds like people talking for real. It doesn't sound like 'acting.'"

As for his fellow cast members Rock commented, "It's a great cast. I didn't know any of these people before. But I'm having a ball. Me and Bobby are going to see SPIDER-MAN on Tuesday. It's like I've got new friends! The people are amazing. I'm having a good time and I'm learning. I'm nervous, and I haven't had that kind of experience since I started stand up- since Saturday Night Live." 

"People will see this play and say 'oh maybe I'll go see another show, or another show.' But it's gotta work for the audience. I think that the bus driver will like this, and the lawyer will like this. That's what I think."

To watch the full Broadway Beat coverage, click here. 

The world premiere of Stephen Adly Guirgis' new play THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT, starring Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Annabella Sciorra and Yul Vázquez, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, opens on Monday, April 11, 2011 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

The strictly limited 15-week engagement will begin previews on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. The show's cast and creative team met the press on Friday, February 18 and Broadway Beat was there, with host Richie Ridge interviewing them all!

THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT is a new high-octane, verbal cage match about love, fidelity, and misplaced haberdashery from playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis. Jackie (Cannavale) and Veronica (Rodriguez) 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 (Rock), while still living and loving with his volatile soul mate Veronica (Sciorra) who is fiercely loving, but far from sober. Still, their love is pure. And true. Nothing can come between them - except a hat.

The creative team includes scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Mimi O'Donnelland lighting design by Donald Holder.

Tickets for THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT will be available beginning Wednesday, January 19 through Telecharge.com by phone at 212-239-6200, or 800-432-7250, or online atwww.Telecharge.com. Group tickets are also available through Telecharge.com. Tickets will be available in person beginning Tuesday, February 22 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). Box office hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.TheMFwiththeHat.com.