Duncan Sheik, the award-winning composer and singer-songwriter known for his work on the Broadway musical Spring Awakening, has died at the age of 56. His mother, Suzanne Sheik, confirmed to The New York Times that he passed away on Thursday due to organ failure at a hospital in Manhattan. According to a family statement, he had been receiving medical care and was in "critical but stable condition" as of Wednesday. While the cause of death was confirmed as organ failure, no further details about his condition or its underlying causes were provided. Sheik gained widespread recognition for his work on Spring Awakening, a rock musical adapted from a 19th-century German play by Frank Wedekind. The production, which tackled sensitive subjects like abortion, abuse, and suicide, was a critical and commercial success, winning eight Tony Awards in 2006, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. He shared these awards with his longtime collaborator, Steven Sater, who also wrote the musical's lyrics. The show launched the careers of stars like Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele. An off-Broadway revival of Spring Awakening is set to begin previews in November. Beyond Spring Awakening, Sheik composed music for several other Broadway and off-Broadway productions. These include American Psycho, a dark adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel that premiered in 2016, and Alice by Heart, a musical retelling of Alice in Wonderland that played off-Broadway in 2018. He was also working on Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, a new musical set to begin previews in September at Off-Broadway's The Night Egg at the Culture Club. In addition to his theater work, Sheik had a successful pop music career in the 1990s. His hit single "Barely Breathing" spent 55 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. His debut album, released in 1996, received critical acclaim, and he continued to release music throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. His most recent album, Claptrap, was released in 2022. Sheik was also a practicing Buddhist and met Sater through their shared interest in chanting. He often credited Buddhism with helping him manage stage nerves and find inner peace. He had previously spoken about his struggles with alcohol addiction and had canceled tour dates in 2011 to seek treatment. His family confirmed his death on social media, expressing gratitude for the support from fans and the artistic community. They described him as a "father, husband, son, brother, and friend" who was remembered for his "sensitivity, wit, intelligence, and depth of spirit." His legacy in both music and theater is expected to continue inspiring future generations.