Lauren Velez Joins Cast of Second Stage's THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST

LAUREN VÉLEZ, best known for her role as Captain Maria LaGuerta on the hit Showtime series, "Dexter," will play the role of Yaz in the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Ms. Velez replaces the previously announced Elizabeth Rodriguez.

THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST continues Second Stage Theatre's 35th anniversary season with previews beginning February 11th; opening night is Monday, March 3 at Second Stage Theatre (305 West 43rd street). For subscription or ticket information, please call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422 or visit the company's website, www.2ST.com.

LAUREN VÉLEZ is best known for playing Captain Maria LaGuerta for seven seasons of Showtime's Emmy award-winning series, "Dexter" for which she received several awards, including four Alma Award nominations, and one win for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. With her co-stars, she also received four consecutive nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an?Ensemble in a Drama Series. Prior to joining the cast of "Dexter," Velez appeared as Dr. Gloria Nathan on HBO's critically acclaimed show, "Oz," and as Det. Nina Moreno in the TV series, "New York Undercover." Her breakout role was in the film, I Like It Like That, which earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Lead Actress. Other career highlights include working with Al Pacino in City Hall and with Meryl Streep in the presentation of the play, Seven for the Women, in the World Conference. Lauren has appeared on stage in the off-Broadway production of Lynn Nottage's play,Intimate Apparel.

LAUREN VÉLEZ joins a company that also includes Anthony Chisholm (Radio Golf, Jitney), Dariush Kashani(Homebody/Kabul), Tony Plana (Ugly Betty), Armando Riesco (2ST's Water by the Spoonful), and ANNAPURNA SRIRAM (Pericles at Berkeley Rep).

Cousins Elliot and Yaz, having long searched for their place in the community, discover the joy in coming home again and the comfort of family, both by blood and by love. While Elliot gets a lucky break in the film business, Yaz takes on the role of familial and neighborhood matriarch, nourishing those who pass through her door. Beating to the sounds of traditional Puerto Rican folk music led by the Grammy-nominated Nelson González, The Happiest Song Plays Last invites you to spend a year with Elliot and Yaz on their journey to peace and purpose in an ever-changing world.

THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST will have scenic design by Michael Carnahan, costume design by Karen Perry, lighting design by Rui Rita, and sound design by Leon Rothenberg. The Music Director and composer is Nelson González. The production is sponsored by American Express, with additional generous support from The National Endowment for the Arts.