Tue Sep 23 06:10:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Lin-Manuel Miranda to Replace James Van Der Beek at “Dawson’s Creek” Reunion After Actor Falls Ill**

**NEW YORK, NY** – A planned “Dawson’s Creek” reunion event has taken an unexpected turn as star James Van Der Beek will be unable to attend due to illness. The actor, who revealed his Stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis last year, announced on social media that two stomach viruses have sidelined him from the highly anticipated one-night-only stage reunion.

However, the show will go on, with none other than “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda stepping in to fill Van Der Beek’s shoes in the role of Dawson. The charity fundraising event, scheduled for Sept. 22, will benefit F Cancer and Van Der Beek.

“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,” Van Der Beek shared in his post, expressing his disappointment at missing the event. He added that Miranda was a “ridiculously overqualified replacement” and a “demigod” in the eyes of his children.

The reunion, which will feature a live reading of the show’s pilot episode, is set to take place at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, the same venue where “Hamilton” was staged.

Returning cast members include Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe, and Busy Philipps.

Van Der Beek, who publicly announced his cancer diagnosis in November 2023, has been undergoing treatment and focusing on his health. In December, he appeared on “Good Morning America,” stating that he was feeling “really good emotionally” despite the challenges.

Fans are encouraged to attend the event and support the cause. Van Der Beek concluded his announcement by asking attendees to “enjoy all the love in that room Monday night, and to shine some on my family.”

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