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On Monday, September 22, the cast of the ’90s teen-drama series Dawson’s Creek reunited—with one notable exception. James Van Der Beek, who starred as the titular Dawson Leery and was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in the summer of 2023, had to drop out of the event due to “two stomach viruses,” as he wrote in an Instagram post. “Despite every effort…I won’t get to be there,” he wrote. “I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.”
The reunion saw Lin-Manuel Miranda step in for Van Der Beek, reading the pilot for the series with series stars Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Busy Phillips. The event was held at the Richard Rodgers Theatre—home of Hamilton—as a one-night only charity event in partnership with F Cancer. (Williams is also married to Tony winner Thomas Kail, who directed Hamilton.)
Although he wasn’t able to attend in person, Van Der Beek did make a surprise virtual appearance. Wearing a newsboy cap, white T-shirt, and brown jacket, a visibly thinner Van Der Beek addressed the audience in a prerecorded message. “I’ve been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,” began Van Der Beek. “I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to hug my castmates, my beautiful cast in person.”
Dawson’s alum Jason Moore directed the event, which was produced by Williams, Kail, Moore, Carl Ogawa, Maggie Brohn, Kevin Williamson, and Greg Berlanti.
“I wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theater for being here tonight,” Van Der Beek continued. “From the cast to the crew to everybody who’s donated time and been so generous, and especially every single last one of you—you are the best fans in the world.”
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Marzia Nicolini
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