Gettysburg Foundation to Host “A Gettysburg Christmas in July” with Bo Brinkman

The Gettysburg Foundation announced today it will host “A Gettysburg Christmas in July” with stage and screen actor, producer and director Bo Brinkman and partner Kris Webb Friday, July 26, 2024, from 7 until 9 p.m. Area residents and visitors to Gettysburg are invited to celebrate Christmas in July with a festive evening featuring a special showing of the movie A Gettysburg Christmas in the Kinsley Theater at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. The festal July event will include time after the movie for Q&A and t-shirt signings. Best known locally for his role as Lt. Col. Walter H. Taylor in the 1993 movie Gettysburg, Brinkman will answer questions from the audience related to the movie Gettysburg. Guests can purchase t-shirts before and after the showing of A Gettysburg Christmas to have signed at the close of the evening.

“We are grateful to Bo and Kris for their generosity in partnering with us to host this special ‘Christmas in July’ event at the Museum & Visitor Center. We are pleased to offer the showing of the film A Gettysburg Christmas free of charge to our community and visitors,” said Gettysburg Foundation interim president David Malgee. “We are also excited to learn more about Bo’s role as Lt. Col. Taylor in the movie Gettysburg and the experiences he had while filming the popular movie more than 30 years ago,” added Malgee.

Directed and written by Brinkman, the 2023 movie A Gettysburg Christmas is described as a story of love, miracles and the Christmas spirit of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. After several years, Hope Kelly is still struggling with heart ache and the abrupt life changing decision to buy an apple farm outside the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Finding peace on the farm was gradually replaced by the loneliness of isolation. Her father Ron is still upset with her leaving his law firm, which led to a Christmas Eve blowout that has yet to be reconciled. Hope’s ex-fiancé had broken their engagement for another woman a few days prior to Christmas Eve. Up until now, Hope has sworn off Christmas and relationships. Hope’s mother Caroline and brother Ryan along with his quirky girlfriend Emily, travel to Gettysburg to have Christmas with Hope whether she likes it or not, and perhaps mend the relationship between her and her father. Ryan’s old Army buddy Nick shows up at the farm and is immediately taken with Hope. But it takes a Christmas miracle in the form of Charley (Lee Majors) to help mend Hope’s heart that allows her to trust again, realize the importance of family and to find love.

Brinkman is a filmmaker and playwright. He founded the Cactus Theater in New York City, which became a popular venue through the 1980’s that produced over 40 plays during its six-year existence. Brinkman has held both lead and supporting roles in television and film including Gettysburg and its prequel, Gods and Generals, Laws of Deception, An Occasional Hell, Bail Jumper, Ice House, Swing State and made for TV movies such as The Way She Moves, The Look Alike and the TV series The Equalizer. He has written, produced and directed many films, often drawing his characters and storylines from his ensemble of intricate, comical and emotional family tales. The Last Mark, The Bay House, Ice House and Last Man Club are among his collection, with the latter winning Best of Show (WorldFest Houston), Best Directing (WorldFest Houston), Best Picture (Real to Reel Film and Video Festival), Best Film (Life Fest Film Festival), Best Narrative Feature (Garden State Film Festival) and Best Dramatic Feature (Burbank International Film Festival). Brinkman lives part-time in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where his love for the town led him to write, produce and direct the feature film A Gettysburg Christmas, which premiered at Gettysburg’s Majestic Theater last year. His quirky, suspense horror film Bountiful Tx is currently in pre-production.