“The result is harrowing but also deeply humane, a piece of theater whose darkness makes its flashes of beauty all the more affecting.”
Off-BwayPlayOriginal
OFF-BROADWAYPLAYORIGINALCLOSED
The House of the Negro Insane
59E59 Theaters · 1h 40m · Opened Aug 14, 2026 · Closed Sep 6, 2026 · Ran for 1 month
Critics' Take
Anthony's searing drama about a 1935 Jim Crow-era psychiatric institution earns praise for its evocative exploration of a dark chapter in history, though execution proves uneven. Critics find it largely compelling despite flaws.
This show has closed — tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
5 reviewsSort:
“It is evocative, satisfying, and memorable theater.”
TheaterMania StaffFull Review
“The acting is convincing, not as solo performances but as an ensemble inhabiting the same social rules and emotional reality of the asylum.”
“The House of the Negro Insane is that most devilish thing, a play that is just good enough to make one wish it was so very much better.”
“The actors did the best they could with the material.”
New York Theatre Guide StaffFull Review
Audience Scorecard
55 audience reviews
B
Shrugging
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about The House of the Negro Insane?
Anthony's searing drama about a 1935 Jim Crow-era psychiatric institution earns praise for its evocative exploration of a dark chapter in history, though execution proves uneven. Critics find it largely compelling despite flaws. (CriticScore 70/100 from 5 reviews.)
Is The House of the Negro Insane worth seeing?
Probably, if the material interests you. Critics say The House of the Negro Insane is worth seeing (70/100 from 5 reviews) — it works best if the premise or cast appeals to you.
What is the CriticScore for The House of the Negro Insane?
The House of the Negro Insane has a CriticScore of 70/100 based on 5 professional reviews. This is rated "Worth Seeing".
Is The House of the Negro Insane still running Off-Broadway?
No, The House of the Negro Insane has closed. It played at 59E59 Theaters and closed on September 6, 2026.
How long is The House of the Negro Insane?
The House of the Negro Insane has a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
Original Cast
- Benjamin Rowe
- Rob Penty
- Wadiah Waliah
- Sidney Hatcher
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 70/100 (5 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Aug 14, 2026
- Closed
- Sep 6, 2026
- Run Length
- 1 month
- Runtime
- 1h 40m
- Intermissions
- 0
- Theater
- 59E59 Theaters
- Synopsis
- A historical drama set inside a segregated psychiatric hospital in 1935 America. Set in 1935, the play follows Attius, a long-term resident of Central State Hospital, one of several psychiatric institutions in the United States designated for Black patients labeled “insane and idiotic.” Within the hospital walls, the homeless, impoverished, ill, and criminally institutionalized are housed together under harsh conditions. Attius survives by building coffins for patients who die inside the institution, carrying out his work in isolation and resignation. The arrival of two new patients disrupts the fragile routine he has constructed for himself. As relationships form and old hopes resurface, Attius begins to confront the possibility of a life beyond confinement. The play examines instituti...
- Data Last Updated
- September 13, 2026
