Lin-Manuel Miranda is reflecting on his short-lived time as James Van Der Beek’s Dawson Leery.
When Van Der Beek, 48, shared that he would be absent from the Dawson’s Creek reunion as he battles an illness, he announced that the Broadway star, 45, would be stepping up. Miranda went on to portray the titular character in a reading of the show’s pilot on Monday, September 22, alongside OG stars Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and more.
“[Thomas] Kail called over the weekend: @vanderjames caught a virus and was unable to travel to NY for the Dawson’s Creek reunion Monday,” Miranda wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, September 23, referring to Williams’ husband. “Now I’m godfather to Tommy and Michelle’s kid, so filling in for Dawson last minute falls under general coverage.”
Miranda continued, “What happened next was for me, more like being in an episode of Quantum Leap; I had the immense privilege of being present as an understudy so that people’s love for James, his family, and this incredible cast and show could reverberate all around the Rodgers and the world.”
Miranda shared that he texted pictures and videos to Van Der Beek — who is currently battling stage III colorectal cancer — through the rehearsal and the reunion — which raises money for F Cancer. He went on to share a slideshow of several of his favorites, including an image of him holding hands with Holmes and Jackson as the cast took a bow onstage.
“🎶this is ridiculous what am I doing here I’m in the wrong story🎵,” Miranda captioned the snap, while in another image, he took a selfie with James’ wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and five of their six children.
In one clip from the event, Miranda recorded Mary Beth Peil (Grams) saying her lines — and then panned the camera to Jackson, who was seen covering his mouth with his hand as he laughed. “Josh fully regressed when he heard Mary Beth Peil again,” Miranda captioned the video.
At another point in the reunion, Miranda filmed Busy Philipps — who joined the show in season 5, but played teacher Tamara Jacobs at the event — quipping that the audience was going to “cheer” after Jackson joked that he was the “best sex you’ll never have.”
Miranda also snapped a photo of Williams looking fondly at Holmes as the twosome practiced their lines. “All Jen wants is to be friends with Joey, LET HER IN JOEY,” Miranda wrote.
Miranda concluded his post with a side-by-side photo of him tearfully closing his eyes while dressed as Alexander Hamilton next to the iconic Dawson crying photo of James.
“Memes are a love language, or so I tell myself so I can sleep at night (this one courtesy of Paul Sabourin),” Miranda wrote. “F*** Cancer and thanks to everyone who helped make last night possible.”
In the comments section, James’ loved ones thanked Miranda for taking on the role. “You. If it was to be anybody, it had to be you. Thank you 🙏,” Kimberly wrote, while Philipps added, “you were perfect and we can’t thank you enough for stepping in for james❤️.”