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James Van Der Beek<\/a> has said he is \u201cgutted\u201d after having to drop out of Monday\u2019s (September 22) Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em><\/a> reunion benefit due to a severe stomach virus.<\/p>\n The actor, who played the titular Dawson Leery on the popular WB teen drama, took to Instagram<\/a> on Sunday night (September 21) to reveal he has had to pull out of the planned \u201cClass Reunion\u201d benefit because of \u201ctwo stomach viruses\u201d knocking him \u201cout of commission.\u201d<\/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,\u201d Van Der Beek wrote. \u201cSo 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<\/p>\n He continued, \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 Van Der Beek revealed his colorectal cancer diagnosis back in November 2024. At the time, he told People,<\/em><\/a> \u201cI\u2019ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite not being able to participate in the Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em> reunion benefit, the show will go on. As Van Der Beek revealed, he has a replacement ready to step in, and it just so happens to be a theater legend, Hamilton<\/em><\/a> star Lin-Manuel Miranda<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI DO have an understudy,\u201d Van Der Beek shared. \u201cA 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 Plus, he already knows how to get to the theater. So that\u2019s convenient. The role of \u2018Dawson,\u2019 usually played by James Van Der Beek\u2026 Will be played by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Can\u2019t believe I just got to type that.\u201d<\/p>\n He concluded, \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. And thank you @lin_manuel . You were a hero to my kids before\u2026 now you\u2019re a demigod<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n .\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cClass Reunion\u201d show was announced last month, with the Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em> cast getting back together for the first time since the show wrapped to perform a live reading of the pilot episode script. Taking place at New York City\u2019s Richard Rodgers Theatre, proceeds from the event will benefit F Cancer and Van Der Beek.<\/p>\n Those taking part in the live reading include Michelle Williams<\/a>, Katie Holmes<\/a>, Joshua Jackson<\/a>, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp<\/a>, Mary-Margaret Humes<\/a>, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith<\/a>, Meredith Monroe<\/a>, and Busy Philipps<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n