Lin-Manuel Miranda Replaces ‘Gutted’ James Van Der Beek At Dawson’s Creek Reunion
The Dawson’s Creek Class Reunion — a live stage reading of the popular teen drama’s pilot starring members of its original cast for which tickets sold out in 12 minutes — is still taking place on Monday, September 22 in New York City. However, series star James Van Der Beek (ex-Stephen, As the World Turns), who played the title role of Dawson, has been forced to drop out due to health reasons — and he will be replaced by none other than the Tony, Grammy and Emmy award-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame.
“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to most since my angel, Michelle Williams [Jen Lindley], said she was putting it together, way back in January,” the actor shared on Instagram. “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.”
One Night Only
The reunion event was planned to bring Van Der Beek, Williams, Katie Holmes (Joey Potter), Joshua Jackson (Pacey Witter), Mary Beth Beil (Evelyn “Grams” Ryan), John Wesley Shipp (Mitch Leery), Mary-Bargaret Humes (Gale Leery), and Nina Repeta (Bessie Potter), who were part of the cast from its beginning, together with Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee), Meredith Monroe (Andie McPhee), and Busy Phillips Audrey Liddell), who joined the cast in later seasons, to raise money for F Cancer and for Van Der Beek himself. Back in 2023, he shared that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“Despite every effort,” Van Der Beek wrote in his post explaining his absence, “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.”
However, he noted, the show will go on, albeit with a very different Dawson. “I do have an understudy,” Van Der Beek continued. “A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been number one on my wish list (had I ever dreamed he’d be available). Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me… Plus, he already knows how to get to the theater. So that’s convenient. 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.”
The actor shared his hope that the audience would enjoy the performance despite his inability to attend. “Everyone, please enjoy all the love in that room,” Van Der Beek concluded his post. “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… now you’re a demigod.”
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