James Van Der Beek was not able to attend the Dawson’s Creek staged reading reunion with most of the original cast in attendance.

If you don’t know, a live staged reading of the fan favorite show’s pilot episode was set up, with the original cast returning to participate. The benefit show was organized to help James and F Cancer . If you aren’t aware, James announced his diagnosis with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2024, after being diagnosed in 2023. It was discovered he was selling some of his Varsity Blues memorabilia to help pay for his treatments.

Originally, James was announced as part of the lineup, but over the weekend, he confirmed he’d be unable to come due to two stomach viruses . Lin-Manuel Miranda took his place and read the role of Dawson.

James

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