Duncan Sheik's Final Musical Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen to Close Early Off-Broadway

Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, the final musical from Tony-winning Spring Awakening songwriter Duncan Sheik, will close November 15 — nearly seven weeks before its scheduled January 3, 2027 end date. By closing, the production will have played 18 preview performances and 35 regular performances at The Night Egg at the Culture Club, the former home of Sleep No More.

The show began performances September 25 and officially opened October 15. Lead producer Kenny Kurokawa confirmed the early closing in a statement.

"The extraordinary response from audiences has been a tremendous gift to all of us involved in bringing Memoirs to life," Kurokawa said. "We are incredibly proud of what this company has created and grateful to the remarkable artists, collaborators, and audiences who have embraced this singular production, further expanding the world of Moyoco Anno's original manga, which never ceases to inspire creators. We look forward to exploring new opportunities to share Memoirs with audiences in the future, and to celebrating the legacy of Duncan Sheik's final work."

That closing line carries weight. Sheik, who wrote the music and lyrics, died suddenly earlier this year at 56, shortly before the production was set to begin performances. Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen now stands among his final works, alongside Nero, his musical with Spring Awakening collaborator Steven Sater, currently premiering at London's Southwark Playhouse.

What is the show about?

The musical adapts Moyoco Anno's manga of the same name and follows writer Colette in Paris, who chronicles her life working at a brothel while obsessed with Léon, her toxic childhood love. Leah Nanako Winkler wrote the book.

Who is in the company?

Sophia Anne Caruso, the Broadway Beetlejuice star, leads as Colette. The cast includes:

• Cory Jeacoma (Beautiful) as Léon
• Nkeki Obi-Melekwe (Tina) as Nana
• Marc delaCruz (Hamilton) as Sakae
• Jenny Powers (Little Women) as Madame
• Leanne Antonio (The Lion King), Kailin Brown, Michael Everett (Aladdin), Elsa Keefe (& Juliet), Jaedynn Latter (Les Misérables), Austin Lesch (Frozen), Nika Lindsay (Frozen), Caleb Marshall (Moulin Rouge!), Jessie Peltier (Smash), Michael Starr (Bright Star) and Thomas Winter

Patrick Goodwin of The Telsey Office handled casting. Rob Ashford directs and choreographs. The creative team includes scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Catherine Zuber, lighting designer Brian Tovar, sound designer Cody Spencer, and hair and wig designer Tom Watson.

What does this change for Sheik's legacy?

The producer's promise of "new opportunities to share Memoirs with audiences in the future" is, for now, a statement of intent without an attached venue, date or format. What remains fixed is the Off-Broadway record: 18 previews, 35 regular performances, closing November 15. Tickets for the remaining shows are available at MemoirsMusical.com. Sheik's other posthumous premiere, Nero, continues its run at Southwark Playhouse in London.