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James Van Der Beek<\/a> <\/strong>may not have been able to make it to the highly anticipated Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em><\/a> cast reunion, but his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek<\/strong><\/a>, made sure his presence was felt in every way.<\/p>\n On September 22, the beloved teen drama\u2019s stars gathered at the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City for a live reading of the pilot episode. The event doubled as a fundraiser for the nonprofit F Cancer. While James was unable to attend due to contracting two stomach viruses amid his battle with colorectal cancer, Kimberly brought their children along to represent him \u2014 and she called the experience a \u201cgift.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis night was so special to the whole family,\u201d Kimberly shared on her Instagram Story after the event. \u201cAnd more importantly, feeling my husband fill the entire theater, and the love for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Though James wasn\u2019t there in person, Kimberly revealed she recapped every moment for him over the phone afterward, describing the evening as one they\u2019ll \u201cbe unwinding for a while.\u201d She also expressed her gratitude to his former co-stars for their unwavering support.<\/p>\n \u201cThe entire cast has been beyond words,\u201d she said. \u201cWords will never do justice for their support.\u201d<\/p>\n Kimberly gave a special shout-out to Michelle Williams, who she praised as the \u201cbrainchild of this night.\u201d She also thanked Michelle\u2019s husband, Hamilton<\/em> director Thomas Kail<\/strong>, for going above and beyond for the Van Der Beek family, saying he made \u201cso many of the kids\u2019 dreams come true\u201d and calling him and Michelle \u201cangel humans.\u201d<\/p>\n Thomas played a major role in making the evening possible, not only securing the iconic Broadway venue but also enlisting Lin-Manuel Miranda<\/strong> to step in for James during the live reading. Kimberly later left a heartfelt comment under Lin\u2019s own post about the night, writing, \u201cYou. If it was to be anybody, it had to be you. Thank you \ud83d\ude4f.\u201d<\/p>\n As for James, he still found a way to connect with the fans who\u2019ve supported him for decades. In a heartfelt video message recorded from home, he admitted, \u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m not there. I can\u2019t believe I don\u2019t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast, in person. I wanted to stand on this stage and thank every single person in this theater for being here tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite his absence, James made sure his love reached the crowd, telling fans, \u201cYou are the best fans in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n For Kimberly, though, one thing was clear at the end of the night: she\u2019s eager to be back by her husband\u2019s side. \u201cIt was a beautiful night,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd I miss my husband. I can\u2019t wait to go see him tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n