James Van Der Beek was forced to miss the anticipated Dawson’s Creek reunion on Monday night after falling ill during his treatment for colorectal cancer.
Instead the actor’s wife Kimberly and their six children made a surprise appearance on stage at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City, bringing the show’s cast to tears as they sang along to the show’s famous theme tune.
James and Kimberly’s daughters Olivia, 14, and Emilia, eight, were cheered on by Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson as they sang the poignant words on the verses of ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait’ by Paula Cole.
A round of applause broke out as Kimberly then arrived on stage with her other children Annabel, ten, Gwendolyn, six, and sons Joshua, 12, and Jeremiah, three, for the chorus.
Olivia, taking to the stage sang the lyrics: ‘So open up your morning light, and say a little prayer for I.’
Emilia then joined in, singing: ‘You know that if we are to stay alive then see the peace in every eye.’
James Van Der Beek was forced to miss the Dawson’s Creek reunion on Monday night after falling ill during his treatment for colorectal cancer but his family made a surprise appearance
The actor’s wife Kimberly and their six children made a surprise appearance on stage at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City, bringing the show’s cast to tears
In fan videos circulating on social media, Meredith Monroe, who played Andie on the show, was seen wiping away tears during the song whilst an emotional Michelle, who starred as Jen, wrapped her arms around her onscreen grandmother Mary Beth Peil.
James revealed during the night that Michelle was the brainchild behind the event which saw the cast join forces for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer.
James intended to join his co-stars at the event but was forced to pull out days before after suffering from two stomach viruses. He was replaced for the live reading by Michelle’s close friend Lin-Manuel Miranda.
James surprised fans with a virtual appearance, appearing in a pre-recorded video as the entire cast of Dawson’s Creek reunited for the first time in 22 years.
‘I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,’ James — who portrayed the character of Dawson Leery in the teen drama — shared in the video.
‘I can’t believe I’m not there. I can’t believe I don’t get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.’
Kimberly also thanked Michelle as she shared an emotional video after the event. Revealing that she’d just got off the phone with James to ‘digest’ the night, Kimberly explained how ‘Michelle Williams was the brainchild of this night and it was such a gift’.
She explained how Michelle and her Broadway producer husband Thomas Kail ‘came in and made so many of the kid’s dreams come true on this trip. Those two are just exquisite, fairy angel humans’.
‘The entire cast has been beyond words, words will never do justice for their support,’ she continued.
Speaking about her husband’s close relationship with Mary Margaret Humes, who played Dawson’s mom on the show, Kimberly gushed: ‘Mary Margaret Humes sends cookies on James’s birthday every year and knows all of the kids and sends the sweetest messages all the time and James has the biggest smile whenever she texts.’
The entire cast of Dawson’s Creek reunited for the first time in 22 years. Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Michelle Williams and others joined forces at the Richard Rodgers Theatre for a live reading of the show’s pilot episode to benefit F Cancer
Kimberly proudly shared photos of her kids in NYC ahead of their surprise stage appearance
James and Kimberly are parents to Olivia, 14, Emilia, eight, Annabel, ten, Gwendolyn, six, Joshua, 12, and Jeremiah,three
‘Other fun facts about the cast Michelle has flowers in every room, she’s changed the pillow cases and the sheets in our room just to feel more cosy. She’s unparalleled, she’s all heart.’
‘Just feeling my husband fill the entire theatre and the love for him. I will be unwinding this one for awhile. Thank you for the love and support and the prayers. It was a beautiful night and I miss my husband.’
Dawson’s Creek aired from 1998 through 2003 on The WB and garnered a number of accolades during its time on the air, such as a Teen Choice Award in 2000 for TV – Choice Drama.
The show followed the group from high school through college in the sleepy town of Capeside.
Last year in November, James revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis.
At the time, the star said that he had been ‘privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it with the support’ from his loved ones.
‘I have colorectal cancer. There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,’ he told People.
A few months earlier in July, the star gave an update amid his cancer battle during an interview on Today.
He explained that he has made major lifestyle changes such as focusing on a healthier diet and doing yoga.
‘The beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job, I’m just on the journey.’
The Hollywood actor added: ‘it’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.’
Then in March, the star opened up about his cancer journey as he marked his 48th birthday, telling his followers that the last year ‘has been the hardest of my life’.
Kimberly shared an emotional video after the event, revealing that she’d just got off the phone with James to ‘digest’ the night
She gushed about her husband’s co-stars. Speaking about his close relationship with Mary Margaret Humes, who played his mom, she gushed: ‘Mary sends cookies on James’s birthday every year’
Last year in November, James revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis, explaining he had been ‘taking steps to resolve it with the support’ from his loved ones
Labeling the clip ‘What Cancer Taught Me,’ the Dawson’s Creek alum described how coming ‘nose to nose with Death,’ had helped him redefine who he is.
He said being away from his family for treatment and living alone in an apartment had forced him to ‘look my own mortality in the eye’.
As he was contemplating his identity, the Vampirina voice actor said, ‘I was faced with the question, “If I am just a too-skinny, weak guy, alone in an apartment with cancer, what am I?”‘
The Downsizing actor said he was meditating on that question, when he got an answer regarding what he considered his diminished status.
‘I am worthy of God’s love simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I also be worthy of my own?’ he asked.
The Varsity Blues star then encouraged those watching the video to try to incorporate the message into their own lives, regardless of their beliefs.
