Duncan Sheik, the singer and composer whose new musical Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen is set to begin performances Off Broadway later this month and whose 2006 Broadway musical Spring Awakening is being revived for a major Off Broadway production in November, has been hospitalized and is in “critical but stable condition” for undisclosed reasons.
The news comes via Sheik’s official Instagram page, which earlier tonight posted a message, apparently on behalf of the musician’s family: “We would like to share an update with Duncan’s fans and the public. Duncan is currently receiving medical care and remains in critical but stable condition. Out of respect for Duncan and our family, we will not be sharing any further medical details at this time.”
The statement continues, “We kindly ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time and will provide updates when appropriate. Thank you for the continued love and support.”
In recent weeks, Sheik made several references on the Instagram page about being in a hospital, apparently in New York City. On August 20, he wrote,”I would prefer to be home making music. But a bit of reflection is not too bad … boring hospital stays have their benefits (outside the obvious.)” On September 6 he wrote, “Sorry for the selfies. But I’m still bored in hospital…” and on September 7, the last post before tonight’s message, he wrote, “Out of here in 60 hours.”
See the latest Instagram post below.
Deadline has reached out to representatives for Sheik’s upcoming musical productions for additional information.
Sheik, who rose to fame as an indie singer-songwriter in the 1990s with his hit song “Barely Breathing,” branched out into the world of musical theater with his smash hit Broadway production of Spring Awakening, co-written with Steven Sater. The 2006 musical’s cast featured stars-in-the-making Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele and John Gallagher Jr., and was later revived in 2015 with Deaf West Theatre directed by Michael Arden.
A major new revival of Spring Awakening directed by Danya Taymor (The Outsiders) was recently announced by producers Seaview for an engagement at the Off Broadway venue Studio Seaview set to begin previews on November 27 ahead of an official December 17 opening. Deadline recently revealed the cast consisting largely of young newcomers, with Amalia Yoo, who gained considerable attention and critical acclaim when she made her Broadway debut last year in the Tony-nominated play John Proctor is the Villain, set to play the role of “Ilse.”
Later this month, Sheik’s new musical – an adaptation of the classic Manga graphic novel Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, is scheduled to begin performances at the new Off Broadway venue named for a club in the graphic novel — The Night Egg at the Culture Club in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The musical, to be directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, will star Sophia Anne Caruso and begins performances Friday, September 25 with an opening night set for Thursday, October 15.
Deadline will update this post as additional information becomes available.
