The Motherf**ker With the Hat has at least two things going for it right off the bat. The first is that marvelously profane--albeit generally unprintable--title. The second is the coup of having landed comedian Chris Rock for his Broadway debut in this new dark comedy by Stephen Adly Guirgis (Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train and Our Lady of 121st Street, among others).

Ironically, both elements actually work against the production. The title, although certainly memorable, has proven off-putting to mainstream Broadway audiences. And Rock has been less of a box-office draw than expected, even though his presence no doubt accounts for this Broadway engagement of a play that would have seemed far more at home in an intimate, non-commercial environment.

Rock, despite his star wattage, mainly plays second fiddle to Bobby Cannavale as Jackie, an ex-con and former drug addict still in love with Veronica (Elizabeth Rodriguez), his girlfriend since grade school. But when Jackie discovers an unfamiliar men’s hat on the premises, he erupts in a jealous rage that threatens to derail their relationship and end his sobriety.

He seeks comfort from his longtime AA sponsor Ralph (Rock)--who clearly has problems of his own with his surly, combative wife Victoria (Annabella Sciorra)--and his hair salon owner cousin Julio (Yul Vazquez), with whom he has a friendly but tense relationship.

Although the playwright unfurls some dramatic plot developments along the way, including the identity of the true owner of that titular hat, he’s more interested in the emotional dynamics among the characters and the ways in which friends and lovers are so easily capable of casual betrayal.

As with Guirgis’ earlier works, Motherf**ker is marked by hilariously vulgar and explosive dialogue, which is for the most part expertly delivered here by the cast under the excellent direction of Anna D. Shapiro (August: Osage County). But while this pungent work has many effective moments, it fails to cohere into a thematically satisfying play.

Despite his high-profile presence, Rock is the ensemble’s weakest element, displaying a surprising tentativeness that is a far cry from his high-voltage, stand-up comedy work. He’s essentially wiped off the stage by Cannavale, who infuses Jackie with a combination of ferocity and vulnerability that is endlessly entertaining.

Unlike Sciorra, who does little to elevate her underwritten role, both the dynamic Rodriguez and the slyly funny Vazquez make the most of their supporting characters.

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th St. 212-239-6200. www.Telecharge.com.