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Actor James Van Der Beek was forced to miss the "Dawson's Creek" reunion event held Monday at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City due to illness. Van Der Beek, who played the titular Dawson Leery on the popular teen drama, cited two concurrent stomach viruses as the reason for his absence from the live benefit reading of the show's pilot episode.
Van Der Beek Beams In, Miranda Steps Up for Reunion
Despite his inability to attend in person, Van Der Beek sent a video message to fans and his former castmates, expressing his disappointment at missing the reunion and thanking attendees for their support. In the video, he introduced his "understudy" for the reading: Lin-Manuel Miranda, who stepped in to read Van Der Beek's lines. The event benefited the nonprofit F Cancer. Van Der Beek's wife and children attended the event and joined the rest of the cast in singing the show's theme song.
Dawson's Creek Reunion: A Poignant Gathering for a Cause
This "Dawson's Creek" reunion held special significance as a benefit for the nonprofit F Cancer, a cause close to Van Der Beek's heart given his public battle with colorectal cancer, which he announced in late 2024 and provided updates on throughout 2025. This added a poignant layer to the event, making his absence even more keenly felt while highlighting the supportive nature of the cast and crew who rallied together in his stead.
