Guilford Teen Has Starring Role In Soon To Be Released Movie

GUILFORD, CT - A recent graduate of Guilford High School has a starring role in new independent musical comedy movie currently being filmed in Connecticut.

Jake Gladwin, who will be attending Marymount Manhattan in the fall to pursue a degree in Musical Theatre, is no stranger to the Guilfofd community, as he has participated in a myriad of events supporting local efforts.

He also has made cameo appearances in other movie and television projects.

But the starring role in a movie is a new experience for Jake.

"The Dangerfields Class of '64" is a movie based on a true story, following four teenage boys in the mid 1960s who start a band, primarily so they can meet the girls and get some respect - hence the "Dangerfields" reference to comedian Rodney Dangerfield who was famous for his line, "I get no respect."

Set in the 1960s, a band known as the Dangerfields embark on a musical journey through high school overcoming any obstacles their community throws at them. The Dangerfields learn that passion comes with its hardships, and people won’t always believe in you or your dreams, but with friendship & love, anything is possible.

The movie is likening to the tone of the movie “Grease." It will be a comedy musical that focuses on the Dangerfields and their adventures through high school. They will face obstacles from their parents, peers, teachers, bullies, and community, but in the end, they all come together with the power of music.

After this production is finished, any proceeds received from distribution will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project in support of our U.S. veterans.

Director and producer Reno Venturi made the decision to cast locally for the film, which is based in Terryville, Conn.

The three other teens besides Jake playing the youths are Jonah Smith of Hamden, Theodore Murolo of Cheshire and Brandon Oliveras, of Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven.

Jake took time from his busy schedule on Tuesday to describe the movie making experience to Patch.

"It's been just great," said Jake, though he did say it was a lot of work.

Every day since late June Jake, with the help of his mom and dad, hop in the car early in the morning and drive to a new film location in Connecticut. "Then we spend the whole day filming until sometimes quite late. Last night we didn't get home until 8:30."

The film is slated to end filming in the next few days.

Jake said the plan for the film is for it to edited and ready for showings - likely at area film festivals in and around the Connecticut area - later this year.

"We're also hoping it might get picked up by some bigger theaters - we'll see," said Jake.

As far as the efforts Jake has undertaken in Guilford, he was the Master of Ceremonies for "The Limelite Project Girls for Girls" which helped support The Women's Life Center in June.

He was Evelyn Oakleigh in the GHS musical Anything Goes. He received the Ronald Burns Memorial Book Award and his name will remain on a plaque in the GHS Theatre showcase.

He received an Official Citation by the State of Ct General Assembly in recognition of winning Shoreline's Alliance Top Talent Scholarship Award in Vocal Music.

His other credits include he is a performer on the North Pole Express on the Essex Steam Train. He was invited to sing at the United Nations back in March for the Women for Peace, and also opened up the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall back in December with a 50 Teen acapella group.

Jake said the making of the movie has only reaffirmed what he kind of already knew - that he wants to be a professional actor when he is through with college.

"My goal is to be on Broadway," Jake said.

From all indications, he's on his way.