«Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen»: Duncan Sheik’s final musical takes the stage without its author

Duncan Sheik’s final musical has reached the stage without its author. More than a week after the Tony-winning composer died at the age of 56, «Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen» began Off-Broadway previews at The Night Egg at Culture Club in New York, bringing to life a work Sheik had developed for years, as People reports.

The book writer, Leah Nanako Winkler, revealed exclusively to the magazine that Sheik had remained involved in the production until his final days: “We worked together until he was in the hospital bed. I know he was truly proud of what we created.” Their six-year collaboration adapted Moyoco Anno’s manga of the same name — the first Japanese musical of its genre to be adapted into an American musical in English.

At the center of the cast is Sophia Anne Caruso (Beetlejuice), who plays Colette, a young writer finding her voice in early 20th-century Paris. The role was written especially for her: “Duncan asked me himself to do it, and I said yes, of course, not knowing at all what it was. I would do anything Duncan asked me to.” According to the actress, the character grew with her over the years of collaboration: “Since we were so collaborative, the role was shaped around my experiences and my growth.”

After the composer’s death, preserving the songs exactly as Sheik left them has become a sacred duty for the company. “I think Duncan is everywhere in this work. Every character who sings has a piece of him,” Caruso told People. “These are songs from his heart and soul. They are in their rawest form — they haven’t been polished or commercialized. They haven’t been changed, because these were his words and we are not going to change them.”

The musical, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford with music and lyrics by Sheik, began previews on September 25; the official opening night is October 15, with performances scheduled through January 3, 2027. Sheik, known for the 1996 hit “Barely Breathing,” became one of the most influential composers of contemporary musical theater with «Spring Awakening» — which won eight Tony Awards, including best musical and best score — while his other theatrical work includes «American Psycho», «Alice by Heart» and «Because of Winn-Dixie». “Listen to the lyrics and you will experience something very special from him,” Caruso said. “In this theater and through this work, Duncan is very much alive.”