“I think that the magic that MCs create and where they're able to activate someone. I think that's a gift and it's really incredible.”” This episode features Dudney Joseph Jr. who is currently performing as Munkustrap in Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre. Dudney shares his first exposure to CATS via VHS in Buffalo, roles he once imagined playing, and how the production grew through workshops into a Broadway transfer. Dudney explains blending musical theater narration with ballroom MC responsibilities, learning to “take up space,” and developing the Legend Statements and Stars (LSS) curtain-call chants, an idea he voice-noted to Zhailon after the Lincoln Center workshop, then built under tight timing at the PAC before it went viral. He discusses changes from the PAC to Broadway, collaborating with creatives to honor both Cats’ legacy and ballroom culture, and working alongside ballroom icons like Junior LaBeija and Leiomy, including how they supported and informed his performance. Dudney also created a custom “Wrong Cat Died” chant for a podcast curtain call.
01:00 Introduction to CATS
04:26 Jellicle Ball Workshops
07:01 Building Munkustrap as MC
11:12 Creating the Curtain Call Chants
23:19 From PAC to Broadway
28:45 Ballroom Meets CATS
38:11 Why You Should Go
44:00 Rapid Fire
- Check out Dudney on Instagram: @dudney_jr
- Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Social Media: @catsjellicleball
- Check out CATS: The Jellicle Ball: catsthejellicleball.com
Produced by:
Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network
Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied