James Van Der Beek’s Wild Dawson’s Creek Reunion Understudy Is Oddly Appropriate

Tonight was supposed to be the night where the cast of Dawson’s Creek would reunite in New York, and revisit the series’ pilot episode through a live read. Unfortunately, the Richard Rodgers Theatre will see one cast mate absent from the fray, as a recent illness has sidelined James Van Der Beek. However given the venue’s history, the man who will be in the room where it happens is actually a pretty snug fit.

Announcing that he had to miss the reading of creator Kevin Williamson’s 1998 pilot episode, the Don’t Trust the B– in Apt. 23 vet shared his upset for not being able to attend. And then he dropped the news that you’ve come to hear, via Instagram, in the following message of sweetness:

While the man of the hour may not be on hand to revel in what’s set to be an entertaining night, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s substitution is something that probably had more people trying to secure tickets. That is no knock against Mr. Van Der Beek (especially as I continue to mourn Don’t Trust the B–‘s untimely cancellation in the distant past.) But it’s the novelty of the Dawson’s Creek pilot episode playing out with the Hamilton mastermind, in the theater where he made history, that makes this scenario the best kind of wild.

Clearly Dawson’s Creek: Class Reunion is an event where “the show must go on” is nailed to the door. Especially when Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, and Katie Holmes have gathered – along with other series notables – to make the magic happen. Supporting both the non-profit organization F Cancer, as well as Van Der Beek – who’s been battling Stage 3 Colorectal cancer, this momentous occasion is also for a good cause.

As of this moment, it doesn’t seem like this Dawson’s Creek Class Reunion charity event will be available to stream after the fact. However, if anyone wants to know how to raise some more funds against the scourge that is Cancer, this seems like the easiest ticket. In the meantime, TV Squad sends its love to James Van Der Beek and his family, as they work through this rough patch.