Stephen Adly Guirgis’ play about a former New York cop is tender, gritty, shocking and crowned with a great performance by Stephen McKinley Henderson

You can’t always believe your eyes or ears during Stephen Adly Guirgis’ vivid group portrait, Between Riverside and Crazy. Walter Washington (Stephen McKinley Henderson), an African-American ex-cop and recent widower, is first seen in a wheelchair. But he’s not unable to walk. He just thinks the seat is comfortable. There’s a Christmas tree in Walter’s living room. But it’s not time for tinsel and carols. It’s summer. Except for Junior (Ray Anthony Thomas), his jailbird son, people who call Walter dad aren’t his kids. But Lulu (Rosal Colon), Junior’s curvy girlfriend, and Oswaldo (Victor Almanzar), a sweet ex-con with a very dark side, see something paternal in “Pops.” And that church lady (Liza Colon-Zayas) who comes calling to give Walter communion? She’s no holy roller. The idea that looks can be — and often are — deceiving relates to Walter’s lawsuit against the city. His career and good health were cut short when he was shot eight years ago by a white NYPD rookie. Walter alleges it was racially motivated. The jury’s out on that claim. But Walter’s former partner (Elizabeth Canavan), who’s still on the job, and her fiancé (Michael Rispoli), a lieutenant with political aspirations, use their sway to make Walter settle. If he doesn’t give up, he might lose his rent-stabilized home. The place, like Walter, has seen better days.