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With The Hat, with reviewers highlighting his “inexperience” onstage.
The actor plays Ralph, an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor who tries to mentor an ex-con and recovering addict named Jackie, portrayed by former Will and Grace star Bobby Cannavale.
But things get complicated when Jackie finds a man’s hat in his girlfriend’s apartment and suspects she’s having an affair.
The dark comedy officially opened on Monday night, but Rock has garnered a slew of mixed reviews.
The New York Times’ reviewer is the most complimentary of the star, branding his performance a “solid Broadway debut”, but others haven’t been as kind.
A New York Magazine critic compliments Rock’s “flawless timing and devastating delivery”, but concedes “he’s just not a natural”, while a writer for trade paper Variety claims Broadway appears to be “too much of a stretch” for the funnyman.
The New York Post’s Elisabeth Vincentelli admits Rock is “a lightweight” who is outshone by the “more experienced, more assured Cannavale”, and a reviewer for the Wall Street Journal adds: “His inexperience shows.”
The New York Daily News’ Joe Dziemianowicz best sums up Rock’s performance, stating: “It would seem that the X-rated ranting Ralph D. would make a good fit for Rock, but it works against him.
“Rock gives the character a good shot, but when he delivers Ralph D.’s lines in his trademark grunts and high-pitched voice, it’s too close to what’s become his own comic speciality . . .” – orange.co.uk