Inside the Emotional Dawson's Creek Reunion

The Dawson's Creek class reunion got off to a poignant start when James Van Der Beek appeared virtually (inset) to introduce his former costars.

- By Nicholas Hautman/With reporting by Sarah Hearon, Andrea Simpson, Erin Strecker & Amanda Williams

The actor, who is battling stage 3 colon cancer, had been set to attend the Sept. 22 event but was forced to pull out the day before due to a stomach virus. "I can't believe I don't get to see my castmates, my beautiful cast, in person," Van Der Beek, 48, said in a prerecorded message to the audience at the Richard R