Despite looking forward to the long-awaited Dawson’s Creek reunion, actor James Van Der Beek has announced he won’t be in attendance.
“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January…” Van Der Beek, 48, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, September 21, just one day before the reunion was scheduled to take place.
“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,” he continued. “Despite every effort… I won’t get to be there. 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.”
OG stars Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson teamed up with F Cancer for the reunion-turned-charity event, scheduled to be held in New York City on Monday, September 22. Former castmates Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps are also scheduled to attend.
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The event will include a live reading of the show’s pilot to benefit the charity and Van Der Beek as he continues to battle stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“We grew up in Capeside and that’s a bond that will last a lifetime,” Williams, who planned the event, said in a statement, referring to the iconic location of the hit WB series. “We wanted to gather around our dear friend James and remind him that we are all here. We always have been and we always will be. And I know the fans of Dawson’s Creek feel the same way.”
The show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, is also scheduled to attend.
Courtesy of Fergus Greer / Columbia TriStar Television/ Everett Collection
In his Sunday post, Van Der Beek also announced who would attend the event in his place.
“But I DO have an understudy. A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist (had I ever dreamed he’d be available),” he wrote. “Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me… Plus, he already knows how to get to the theater. So that’s convenient.”
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He continued, “The role of ‘Dawson,’ usually played by James Van Der Beek… Will be played by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Can’t believe I just got to type that. Everyone 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.”
The actor then thanked his last-minute replacement for stepping in to fill his role.
“And thank you @lin_manuel. You were a hero to my kids before… now you’re a demigod.”
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