Overview

• On Sept. 22 in New York, Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and other originals reunited for a live reading of the pilot at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
• James Van Der Beek missed the event due to an intestinal infection described as a complication of his cancer and addressed attendees in a prerecorded video.
• He used the message to thank supporters and to introduce Lin‑Manuel Miranda as a special substitute in the role of Dawson.
• Proceeds from the reunion supported the charity F Cancer, and the evening was framed as a tribute to Van Der Beek.
• Kimberly Van Der Beek attended with their six children and joined cast members onstage, as fans later voiced concern about James’s frail appearance in the video.