The Wrong Cat Died
The Wrong Cat Died
Broadway Podcast Network
Ep253 - Dudney Joseph Jr., Munkustrap in CATS: The Jellicle Ball
57 minutes Posted May 12, 2026 at 4:00 am.
Introduction to CATS
Jellicle Ball Workshops
Building Munkustrap as MC
Creating the Curtain Call Chants
From PAC to Broadway
Ballroom Meets CATS
Why You Should Go
Rapid Fire
0:00
57:24
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Show notes
“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.
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
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