{"id":194648,"date":"2025-09-22T23:51:46","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T23:51:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/22\/how-dawsons-creek-reunion-addressed-james-van-der-beeks-absence\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T23:51:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T23:51:46","slug":"how-dawsons-creek-reunion-addressed-james-van-der-beeks-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/22\/how-dawsons-creek-reunion-addressed-james-van-der-beeks-absence\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dawson\u2019s Creek Reunion Addressed James Van Der Beek\u2019s Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"


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James Van Der Beek<\/strong><\/a> may have been physically unable to attend the Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em> reunion, but Dawson Leery\u2019s presence was felt when Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson<\/strong> and company gathered at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway.<\/p>\n

The Monday, September 22, event kicked off with Williams, 45, Holmes, 46, and Jackson, 47, taking the stage to read their respective roles as Jen Lindley, Joey Potter and Pacey Witter, the audience screamed in excitement. The theater then paused to play a video from Van Der Beek, who sent a special message of appreciation to fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m not there,\u201d the actor, 48, began. \u201cI can\u2019t believe I don\u2019t get to hug my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person, and I just wanted to stand on that stage and thank every single person in this theater for being here tonight. from the cast to the crew to everybody who donated their time and has been so generous. And especially every single last one of you. You\u2019re the best fans in the world. Thank you for coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Van Der Beek then pivoted to who would be taking over his role of protagonist Dawson Leery during the reading. \u201cNow, obviously on Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em>, I had an understudy. But this is Broadway,\u201d he said, adding that he wanted to find someone his kids would \u201cconsider an upgrade\u201d from their own dad. \u201cSomebody who basically you would never believe we got to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jokingly referring to him as a \u201cnew up and comer,\u201d Van Der Beek then introduced Lin-Manuel Miranda <\/strong>to the stage, sparking roaring applause from the audience.<\/p>\n

Van Der Beek was sure to soak in the experience any way he could. In the hours leading up to the event, his wife, Kimberly, was seen taking videos of fans in line, telling them, \u201cThis is for James!\u201d<\/p>\n

Van Der Beek \u2014 who is battling stage III colon cancer \u2014 announced<\/a> on Sunday, September 21, that he wouldn\u2019t be in attendance on Monday because he\u2019s ill. Broadway vet Miranda would be stepping in for the reading of the Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em> pilot.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the evening I\u2019d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January\u2026 So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment,\u201d the actor, 48, wrote via Instagram. \u201cDespite every effort\u2026 I won\u2019t get to be there. I won\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

He went on to gush about Miranda.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I DO have an understudy. A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist (had I ever dreamed he\u2019d be available). Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me\u2026\u201d he continued. \u201cEveryone please enjoy all the love in that room. Shine some on my family. I will be beaming and receiving from afar in a bed in Austin.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Kimberly later confirmed in several social media comments that she will be there with their kids. The couple share daughters Olivia, 14, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, and Gwendolyn, 6, and sons Joshua, 12, and Jeremiah, 3.<\/p>\n

Williams, Holmes and Jackson were joined by Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe <\/strong>and Busy Philipps<\/strong> to raise money for F Cancer on Monday.<\/p>\n

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