MR. A Productions is the brainchild of three veteran comedy executives who all bring a different perspective of experiences to the organization. The “M” of MR. A is TJ Markwalter, who started booking stand-up comedians as Concert Board President of Hofstra University in 1986. After graduating he landed a job at a local agency and became the house booker for Governors Comedy Clubs with locations in Florida, Connecticut and New York. This was the beginning of a long and ever growing network of relationships with comedic talent and talent buyers that has enabled TJ to become one of the largest bookers of stand up talent in the country. His annual bookings stretch well into the millions of dollars.

The “R” of MR. A is Dave Rath. Dave began his career booking comedy talent for Comic Strip Live, Fox’s first stand-up comedy show in the early 90’s. Dave took his eye for talent and began a career in talent management, working for some of the largest management companies in Hollywood before taking all of his experience and opening his own company. The Rath Welker Company opened its doors in 2002 and is now a highly regarded player in the entertainment world. Despite having made deals with all the major networks for both his on air talent and writing clients, Dave never lost his desire to give young up-and-coming comedians television exposure. He spent two years booking talent for, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, on ABC.

The “A” of MR. A is Lee Allan. Lee began his career as a stand-up comedian. He toured the country for 14 years as a comic, appearing on numerous late night shows. Among the highlights of his stand-up career was entertaining the troops overseas with the USO and having his name on a Las Vegas marquee with Frank Sinatra. As an actor, Lee has appeared in sit-coms, feature films and numerous commercials. He’s been lucky enough to act opposite Oscar winners and even got to direct an Oscar winning director. Feeling done with performing, Lee joined The Rath Welker Company at the onset and utilized his pre-comedy MBA education and Fortune 100 business experience to produce a live stage show, The Marijuana-logues.

Working closely with Dave and TJ on The Marijuana-logues, the three recognized a niche in the marijuana entertainment space and created MR. A Productions. Their first project is a CD/DVD called, "Pot’s Greatest Hits: A Stash of Stand-up Comedy," which is being released by the Laughter Heals record label and is being distributed by Ardustry Home Entertainment.

It is impossible to have a business such as MR. A Productions and not take a definitive position on the subject of marijuana. We believe that marijuana should be legally available to any adult who wishes to use it. The method of legalization should be similar to cigarettes and liquor in that marijuana should be taxed and regulated by the federal and state government.

We recognize that this is a long-term goal and a difficult process. In this regard, we see that this has to be done in stages. The final stage is legalization. The secondary stage is decriminalization and the first stage is legal medical marijuana.

Sometimes there are no words to account for tragedy and travesty in our society. We believe that to deny seriously ill and terminally ill patients from using marijuana legally, to alleviate the excruciating pain of their illness is simply inhuman. We can see no argument, sane or otherwise to support that policy and behavior on the state or federal level.

MR. A Productions donates a portion of our profits to NORML to help with this fight. Beyond that we will remain active in what lobbying efforts we can contribute to end the Draconian policies of marijuana prohibition.

MR. A Productions

T. J. Markwalter   •   Dave Rath   •   Lee Allan

To contact the producers, email us at:
 producers@potsgreatesthits.com.