Singer Duncan Sheik in ‘critical but stable’ condition and receiving care
Duncan Sheik performs at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2015.Jack Vartoogian / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleSept. 17, 2026, 9:27 AM EDTBy Rebecca CohenTony Award-winning singer and songwriter Duncan Sheik is in “critical but stable” condition and receiving medical care, according to a statement posted to his Instagram account Wednesday evening.
“Duncan is currently receiving medical care and remains in critical but stable condition,” the statement said.
“Out of respect for Duncan and our family, we will not be sharing further medical details at this time,” it added.
“We kindly ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time and will provide updates when appropriate,” the statement continued. “Thank you for the continued love and support.”
Duncan Sheik and Steven Slater accept their Tony Award for best original score for "Spring Awakening" in 2007.Bryan Bedder / Getty Images fileIt remains unclear where Sheik is receiving medical care or what his prognosis is.
Sheik, 56, is perhaps best known for his 1996 hit “Barely Breathing,” which remains at the top of his Spotify page three decades later.
The song earned him a Grammy nomination for best male pop vocal performance. He has released nine studio albums over his career, with the most recent in 2022.
In 2002, Sheik began writing music for the theater. That year, he composed the music for the New York Shakespeare Festival production of “Twelfth Night.”
But his biggest break came just years later, in 2006, with the success of “Spring Awakening” on Broadway, for which he co-wrote the music with Steven Sater.
His work on the breakout Broadway show earned him two Tony Awards: best orchestrations and best original score, which he shared with Sater. “Spring Awakening” also won best musical at the Tonys that year and earned a Grammy Award for best musical show album.
According to a 2012 Broadway World article, Sheik said he had been working on the music for a “Spring Awakening” film adaptation. It is unclear whether that project is still in the works.
The show’s off-Broadway revival begins previews on Nov. 27 and officially opens on Dec. 17.
Sheik kept composing for the theater after “Spring Awakening,” writing music for “Alice By Heart” (2012), “American Psycho” (2013), “The Taming of the Shrew” (2016) and “The Secret Life of Bees” (2019).
Rebecca CohenRebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
