Dexter's Lauren Vélez to Join the Cast of The Happiest Song Plays Last at Second Stage

Lauren Vélez, best known for her role as Captain Maria LaGuerta on Dexter, will join the cast of Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes' The Happiest Song Plays Last at Second Stage Theatre. Vélez will replace the previously announced Elizabeth Rodriguez. Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson will direct the production, which is set to begin previews February 11 with an official opening night on March 3.

The Happiest Song Plays Last follows cousins Elliot and Yaz, who, having long searched for their place in the community, discover the joy of coming home again and the comfort of family. While Elliot gets a lucky break in the film business, Yaz takes on the role of matriarch, nourishing those who pass through her door. It is the third in a trilogy of plays that begins with Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue and the 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Water by the Spoonful.

The Happiest Song Plays Last will feature scenic design by Mike Carnahan, costume design by Karen Perry, lighting design by Rui Rita, and sound design by Leon Rothenberg. As previously announced, Grammy Award-nominated musician Nelson González will oversee the production's musical elements and will lead a live band during performances.

In addition to Vélez, the cast will include Anthony Chisholm, Dariush Kashani, Tony Plana, Armando Riesco, and Annapurna Sriram.

For more information and tickets, click here.