Duncan Sheik Dies At 56

Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter and Broadway composer, died at 56. His family said he died Thursday night, while his mother, Suzanne Sheik, said cardiac arrest or organ failure followed a recent hospitalization. Initial statements from his team and family had not named the illness or treatment, saying only that he was in critical but stable condition. Sheik first reached pop fame with “Barely Breathing,” a radio hit that stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 55 weeks. He later moved into theater with lyricist Steven Sater on “Spring Awakening,” which tackled adolescent sexuality, abortion and suicide. His later work included stage projects and the 2022 album “Claptrap.”