tony evans journey with jesus

Walk the streets that Jesus did

Last fall, Journey with Jesus , was released in over 800 theaters to sold-out audiences around the country. Thousands of people followed the footsteps of Jesus through the holy land with inspiring commentary from Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer and the narration of Anthony Evans.

Unlimited Streaming

• Per Individual $9
• Per Small Group $19

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. He is a pastor, best-selling author and frequent speaker at Bible conferences and seminars throughout the nation.

Dr. Evans has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for over 40 years, witnessing its growth from ten people in 1976 to now over 10,000 congregants with over 100 ministries.  

Chrystal Evans Hurst

Chrystal Hurst is an energetic, fun-loving “girl-next-door” who loves to encourage other women in fulfilling their full potential in Christ.  Chrystal firmly believes God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans that I have for you…” and she desires to help other Christian women believe and apply that truth to their lives.

Priscilla Schirer

Priscilla Shirer is a wife and a mom first. But put a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart and you’ll see why thousands flock to her conferences and dive into her Bible study series’ and books each year.  

A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Priscilla holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies and considers it a privilege to serve believers from every denomination, and culture through Going Beyond Ministries.  

Anthony Evans

For two decades, Anthony Evans has voiced the gospel with a melodic, thought-provoking style, and has emerged as one of Christian music’s premier worship leaders and singer/songwriters. Along the way, Anthony has released ten solo projects, (the last two climbing all the way to #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album charts), released his first book, Unexpected Places, done numerous music videos, acted in two movies, and performed as “Beast” in Disney’s Hollywood Bowl production of Beauty and the Beast.

Follow in the footsteps

Produced by:

Executive Producer: Heather Hair Heather Hair has served on the Executive team at The Urban Alternative for over 10 years, leading the Ministry Development Department including the radio and TV broadcast, video production, content creation, marketing and digital channels. Heather is a published author of 5 books with sales exceeding 200,000. Her audio-Bible and reading plans on Spotify and YouVersion have over 4 million streams/subscriptions. She’s also a ghostwriter of over 85 titles with combined sales nearing 10 million. She’s the Executive Producer of Kingdom Men Rising (2019) and Journey with Jesus (2021). Heather & her husband Jack live in Georgetown, Texas. 

Producer: Phil Warner Phil Warner leads the creative team that produces all the films and videos at RightNow Media. His passion is using the power of media to boldly communicate the gospel. Throughout his time at RightNow Media, Phil has played a key role in developing over 250+ video-based discipleship resources. Phil and his wife, Becky have two sons, Hayden and Andrew, and attend Watermark Community Church.

Director: Will Irwin Will is part of the video team that produces all the films and videos at RightNow Media. He enjoys using his talents and creativity to produce video based studies that advance the Kingdom of God here on earth. Will and his wife, Haley have 4 kids, Brighton, Indie, Stevie and Dawes. 

Dr. Evans was married to Lois, his wife and ministry partner of over 50 years until Lois transitioned to glory in late 2019. They are the proud parents of four, grandparents of thirteen and great-grandparents of three.

Chrystal is a gifted writer, speaker, and worship leader.  Being the eldest child of Dr. Tony and Lois Evans, Chrystal been surrounded by the Word of God her entire life.  As a member of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Chrystal assists her mom in leading the women’s ministry and loves to encourage women toward a deeper relationship with the Lord.  Chrystal has recently co-authored a book, Kingdom Woman, with her dad. You can also find Chrystal writing on her blog—Chrystal’s Chronicles—where she poignantly reflects her thoughts about her faith and day-to-day experiences.

Most importantly, Chrystal is a dedicated wife and homeschooling mother of five. She considers herself to be the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of the Hurst household.  Chrystal and her husband, Jessie reside in a small town just outside of Dallas, Texas.

A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Priscilla holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies and considers it a privilege to serve believers from every denomination, and culture through Going Beyond Ministries. Founded by Jerry and Priscilla nearly twenty years ago, the ministry equips believers through books, Bible study resources, conferences and through films like  War Room  (2015),  I Can Only Imagine (2017) and Overcomer  (2019). To date, Priscilla has authored more than a dozen Bible studies for women and teens on a myriad of Biblical characters and topics including  Jonah ,  Gideon , the Exodus, discerning God’s voice,  The Armor of God  and, her latest study –  Elijah: Faith and Fire .

Her trade books include  Discerning the Voice of God ,  God is Able , and two New York Times Bestsellers –  The Resolution for Women  and  Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer , which was named the 2016 Christian Book of the Year. Her latest offering is a 365-day devotional called  Awaken: 90 Days with the God Who Speaks . In 2016, Priscilla ventured into the world of children’s publishing with  The Prince Warriors , a fiction 4-book series and accompanying 365-day devotional ( Unseen ) designed to equip tween boys and girls for victory in spiritual warfare.

In addition to Priscilla’s participation in many church and para-church conferences across the globe each year, Going Beyond Ministries hosts  AWAKEN  – an outreach event in our hometown designed to encourage and mobilize women locally. This free gathering brings together thousands of women from different denominations and backgrounds in the Dallas Ft. Worth area several times a year to encourage community and to pray for our city.

Priscilla has been married to Jerry for 22 years. Between studying and writing, she spends most of her time cleaning up after (and trying to satisfy the appetites of) their three growing boys – Jackson, Jerry Jr. and Jude.

About The Movie

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Journey with Jesus

Dr. Tony Evans and his daughters, Chrystal Evans Hurst and Priscilla Shirer, invite you to join them on a tour of the Holy Land. Dr. Tony Evans and his daughters, Chrystal Evans Hurst and Priscilla Shirer, invite you to join them on a tour of the Holy Land. Dr. Tony Evans and his daughters, Chrystal Evans Hurst and Priscilla Shirer, invite you to join them on a tour of the Holy Land.

• Chrystal Evans Hurst
• Priscilla C. Shirer
• 3 User reviews

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews 3

• henriettapace
• Nov 29, 2021
• November 14, 2021 (United States)
• Official Site
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 40 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

Journey with Jesus Movie

ABOUT THE FILM  In 2021, Journey with Jesus , was released in over 800 theaters to sold-out audiences around the country. Thousands of people followed the footsteps of Jesus through the Holy Land with inspiring commentary from Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer and the narration of Anthony Evans.  For more information about the film, go to: www.journeywithjesus.com  

• Study Bibles
• Devotionals
• Audio Books

• Create a Profile

Journey with Jesus

See if this movie is playing at your theatre:

Experience the Holy Land like never before. Join Dr. Tony Evans and his daughters, Chrystal Evans Hurst and Priscilla Shirer, as they retrace the steps that changed the world in JOURNEY WITH JESUS. Filmed on location in Israel, JOURNEY WITH JESUS brings the Bible to life as Dr. Evans and his daughters lead a beautiful and captivating walking tour of the historical sites and places of Jesus’ ministry, delivering personal insights, powerful teaching and biblical context for each location. From the Sea of Galilea to the Jordan River, Nazareth to Jerusalem, the ministry, movements and moments that defined Christ’s life—from his birth to his resurrection—come alive in fresh new ways.

The Christian Post

To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Recommended

International House of Prayer Kansas City to shutter in wake of Mike Bickle scandal: report

Prosperity gospel preacher Jerry Savelle dies at 76

60% of Catholics think abortion should be legal, support lower among weekly churchgoers: poll

Mark Driscoll slams Jezebel spirit after megachurch hosts sword swallower

Churches host job fairs to help the formerly incarcerated get their 'second chance'

The maniacal magnetic pull of moral relativism: An upside down universe

Why are Christians attracted to social justice?

‘Unsung Hero’: Cheers and tears over God's provision (movie review)

Will you choose popularity or faithfulness?

Does evangelism make a difference?

Tony evans, daughters priscilla shirer and chrystal hurst to release film 'journey with jesus'.

Pastor Tony Evans and his daughters, Chrystal Evans Hurst and Priscilla Shirer, share moments from their tour of Israel in the upcoming documentary “Journey with Jesus” where they retrace the steps of our Savior. 

The film will be released as a Fathom Event for three nights. In it, the family explores the ministry of Jesus Christ in the Holy Land.

“I am so excited to share the trailer of my new movie 'Journey With Jesus' — in theaters November 15, 16 and 17,” Evans wrote on social media along with the film’s trailer. “Join my daughters and I as we retrace the steps of our Savior and experience the wonders of the Holy Land.”

Get Our Latest News for FREE

“Journey with Jesus” was filmed in Israel. The trailer shows the Evans family overlooking the sea of Galilee, visiting The Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the minister preaching to a crowd.

“Standing at the Sea of Galilee reminded me of the beauty and the grandeur of the fact that the Word became flesh,” Shirer said in a statement with The Christian Post. “‘Journey with Jesus’ will have a powerful impact because the story of Jesus will come alive with fresh relevance and meaning, enriching hearts and renewing faith.” 

“Bringing the Bible to life on screen, ‘Journey with Jesus’... shares a captivating walking tour of the historic places of Jesus’ ministry, detailing the moments that defined His life from birth to resurrection. Evans, Hurst and Shirer lead the tour with personal insights while giving powerful lessons and biblical context for each location,” the film description reads.

The film is meant to help viewers experience the “rich history, magnificent scenery and the incredible significance” of Israel. 

“Sharing with people on screen the real places of Jesus where eternity-changing events occurred is a monumental opportunity,” Evans added in the statement. 

The Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship senior pastor shared what he wants people to take away from the documentary.

“I hope the power of Christ will be communicated and people will learn to praise Him in the midst of their problems, praise Him amid challenges, praise Him for His Glory and then serve the Lord with gladness,” Evans said. 

Tickets for “Journey with Jesus” are now available for purchase. Visit the website for further information. 

Jeannie Ortega Law is a reporter for The Christian Post. Reach her at: [email protected] She's also the author of the book, What Is Happening to Me? How to Defeat Your Unseen Enemy   Follow her on Twitter: @jlawcp  Facebook: JeannieOMusic

Was this article helpful?

Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, you're helping to keep CP's articles free and accessible for everyone.

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles. Return to homepage.

Tony Evans calls for Christian unity amid racial tensions in the Church

Tony evans urges christian voters on life issue: don't ignore 'abortion' outside the womb, tony evans reveals covid diagnosis, ministry offices damaged by texas freeze, tony evans suggests ‘biblical response’ to critical race theory as tensions mount, most popular.

2 bodies found in case of missing pastor’s wife Jilian Kelly, Veronica Butler

Pastor Greg Laurie on why Iran’s attack on Israel is a sign of the End Times

‘God’s Misfits’ connected to bloody disappearance of Veronica Butler, Jilian Kelley

Televangelist, prosperity gospel preacher Jerry Savelle dies at 76

Scottie Scheffler dedicates second Masters win to God: 'My victory was secure on the cross'

More articles.

Iran's attack on Israel did not deter Christians from visiting holy sites

Private schools cultivating more engaged citizens that public schools: study

Anti-Israel activist slapped with 18 felonies for threatening to 'murder' city council

Group of brands.

• Tech & Entertainment
• World & Politics

Tony Evans family shares tour of Holy Land in ‘Journey With Jesus’ film

Share this post:

DALLAS (BP) – For Tony Evans and his daughter Priscilla Shirer, each trip to the Holy Land opens new layers in the story of God.

When Shirer visited a living village museum that demonstrates ancient life in Nazareth, she saw artisans dying wool scarlet and gained nuanced understanding of Isaiah 1:18, when God promises to wash our sins white as snow.

“One of the colors that (wool) could be dyed was scarlet. And of all of the colors that could be dyed, this was the one that was permanent. So it couldn’t dull. It couldn’t be changed into another color, and if you added another color in, it would stay the scarlet color,” Shirer said in an interview with Baptist Press. “And that’s the only one that was permanent. So it just brings new life and appreciation to that Scripture that says though our sins be as scarlet – even scarlet, that permanent stain – He can wash even that white as snow.”

The Evans family gives viewers an up-close look at their latest journey to the Holy Land in the new documentary film “Journey With Jesus,” in select theaters three nights only Monday through Wednesday (Nov. 15-17).

The trip, conducted through Evans’ Urban Alternative ministry, was the last trip to Israel the family took before Evans’ wife and Shirer’s mother Lois Evans died in December 2019 . Other family members were also among the 700 on the trip, including the Evans’ daughter and best-selling author Chrystal Evans Hurst.

Evans, a widely sought-after author, influencer and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, said the family dynamic was extremely rewarding. Lois Evans is included in the film.

“It gives it legacy and longevity and a deeper meaning,” he said, “because it allows us to have something that we can all memorialize in our hearts and minds, as well as share with others, particularly those who knew her and were blessed by her and benefitted from her.”

Shirer, an expository Bible teacher who leads Going Beyond Ministries with her husband Jerry, shares one of her mother’s precious moments on the trip, enjoyed as the 700 travelers were gathered in several boats converging on the Sea of Galilee.

“One boat would start a hymn, and the other boat would hear, and they’d start singing along with them and then another one, ‘til all of us, all 700 of us are in the middle of the Sea of Galilee singing different hymns and worship songs,” Shirer said. “Just remembering my mother’s voice and singing alongside, and her facial expressions, and just her heart being warmed as these many individuals from different walks of life, different denominations, different racial backgrounds, different geographical points over the globe, all came together under one banner, the name of Jesus Christ and the place where He lived, and worshiping Him together at this monumental place, the Sea of Galilee.

“That moment is one that I know she enjoyed, and that I will never forget watching her experience that joy.”

Those who have never traveled to the Holy Land, as well as those who have visited time and again, can gain meaning and depth from the film, Evans said.

“For both groups, I would hope that there’s a new freshness of faith and an igniting of fire for their life for the Lord and for their desire to represent Him in all that they do,” he said, “so that Jesus Christ is supreme in their affections and in their relationships. So it’s all designed to create a next level of passion for the Christ.”

It was Evans’ fifth journey to Israel.

“Each time there’s a new layer of depth, of understanding, of seeing the Scriptures deeper,” he said, “of seeing some of the backstory that’s not as evident without going there and being in the environment that makes the Bible even come more alive.”

In the walking tour of Israel led by Evans, Shirer and Hurst, viewers see the historical places of Jesus’ life from birth to resurrection, are privy to personal insights and lessons, and hear the biblical contexts of key locations.

“It adds a layer of dimension to your understanding of Scripture. There were so many details that were specifically related to the first century time period,” Shirer said. “There are realities about grapes and soil and wheat and sheep that unless you understand it within the context and see it within the dynamic that is relative to that particular place, you really aren’t able to draw a full picture and meaning out of your understanding of Scripture.”

Hurst is a Bible teacher, the best-selling author of “She’s Still There” and co-author of “Kingdom Woman” with her father.

Tickets and theater information for the Fathom Event release are available here .

About the Author

Diana chandler.

Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.

Browse the Archives:

Resource categories:.

• Articulos en Español
• By Scripture
• SBC Life Articles

Browse Resources By:

• Media Type:
• Text Articles

• Media Relations
• Read the Latest Issue
• Strategic Partnerships
• Baptist Press Articles
• Discipleship

The Latest in SBC News View More Articles ›

Mississippi church dedicates 150-foot-tall cross

FIRST-PERSON: Our turn

NAMB Women’s Evangelism Conference: Creating a Culture of Evangelism

The latest in sbc life view more articles ›.

Post-COVID Perspective: Pandemic pause left no long-term changes in Southern Baptist missions

Post-COVID Perspective: Religious liberty affirmed by courts during pandemic

Post-COVID Perspective: Pandemic catalyzes churches to cast evangelistic net with online services

The latest in tech & entertainment view more articles ›.

NAIA schools applaud policy over transgender athletes

‘Jesus’ in sign language set for local premiere, broader release in works

CULTURE DIGEST: Easter weekend specials bring Jesus films to a screen near you

The latest in world & politics view more articles ›.

U.S. High Court allows Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for minors

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will push for aid to Israel and Ukraine this week

SBC leaders call for prayer, support for Israel in light of Iranian attacks

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy .

TV Listings

• Cast & Crew

Journey with Jesus

• 1 hr 40 mins
• Documentary

In Journey with Jesus, Dr. Tony Evans and his daughters follow the steps of the Christian messiah. Filmed on location in Israel, they visit every important location that defined the life of Christ from His birth to His resurrection. The Evans' travel takes them to Jerusalem, the Jordan River, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and more. Dr. Evans and his daughters ask and answer questions about faith and devotion on this journey of discovery.

Loading. Please wait...

My cable/satellite provider:

There are no TV airings over the next 14 days. Add it to your Watchlist to receive updates and availability notifications.

0:31 Journey With Jesus

Cast & Crew See All

Chrystal evans hurst.

Priscilla C. Shirer

Latest news see all, trailers & videos see all.

Journey With Jesus

Popular movies see all movies.

I Am Heath Ledger

Food, Inc. 2

Who Took Johnny?

The beekeeper.

The Ark and the Darkness

Tony Evans and Priscilla Shirer discuss limited release film ‘Journey with Jesus’

• November 11, 2021
• Tracy Riggs
• Latest News , Media Reviews , Movie Reviews , National News , People , Travel

Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, and Priscilla Shirer, Evan’s daughter and a noted Bible teacher and author herself, helped guide over 700 Christians on a trip to Israel during late 2018.

Their original plan was to experience the land where Jesus lived and ministered with their family and this group. It was a ministry trip. Making a movie wasn’t even on their radar.

“We thought, ‘How can we make this last longer than just the trip for this group?’ So we decided to film it,” Evans explained. “When we decided to film it, we came back and the footage was so good that we decided, ‘Let’s see if we can create a documentary of this.’ We created the documentary and we said, ‘Okay. A lot of people have never gone to Israel and would love to go. Why don’t we let them piggy-back on this experience?’”

Evans noted, “That led to the documentary, ‘Journey with Jesus.’”

Letting others experience this journey along with Evans’ family and the Urban Alternative group wasn’t the only reason they released the film, however. They also wanted it to be a fun activity for groups to get out and see together.

‘Wholesome, beneficial and spiritually impactful’

“We’ve been in COVID and lockdown,” Evans said. “We initially planned to do another trip and to play this before the trip to encourage people to want to go. But now with COVID, it’s really a great time for people to come out and do something that is wholesome and beneficial and spiritually impactful.”

Evans continued, “We decided to release it as a Fathom Film, the 15 th , 16 th and 17 th of November and give churches, church groups, small groups [and] families a spiritual outing they can enjoy and benefit from.”

As the world is still dealing with COVID, Evans added an additional benefit — asserting that the film would combat the atmosphere of hopelessness that COVID has brought by showing the hope that one has in Christ.

‘Extraordinary experience’

Both Evans and Shirer expressed how glad they were to be allowed to encounter this amazing land with their immediate family and wished it could have gone on longer. They didn’t know while there that it would be the last time they would take a trip like this as a family together. Evans’ wife of 50 years, Lois, died from a rare form of cancer a little over a year after they got back.

Though each had many amazing moments during the trip, Shirer’s most memorable was when they were together on the Sea of Galilee, saying it was an “extraordinary experience.” It took several boats to fit all from their group. The boats met in the middle of the water and were tied together.

“In essence we were one group, but it in different vessels,” Shirer said. “You could hear each other, each group, singing hymns or praise and worship songs. It was like a ripple effect. One boat would hear the next and would latch on and begin singing and then the next would hear. It was like doing the wave but in praise and worship to God in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. There was something about that that marked me really in a very deep way. It was something I’ll never forget — singing the worship of Jesus, praise to His name, right there in the middle of the Sea of Galilee together.”

Deeper level of confidence in God’s word

Both Evans and Shirer suggested that this time changed how they related to the Scriptures, taking them to a deeper level of confidence in God’s word.

“[It gave] context and dimension to the stories Jesus would tell, through [aspects like] positioning — where He was standing when He was addressing a certain audience — or the proximity of His travels with the disciples from one location to another,” Shirer said.

Shirer continued, “Seeing those things in real time and real space allows us to have a greater appreciation for the historical veracity of the person of Jesus Christ. Even with someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus the Messiah, what an experience like this does, it just validates the historical personhood of Jesus. For those of us who do believe, it’s cement and gives dimension to our relationship with Him.”

“Journey with Jesus” is not expected to be released on DVD and will only be shown in theaters on Nov. 15, 16 and 17. To find out where “Journey with Jesus” is playing, go to JourneywithJesusmovie.com .

Share with others:

Related posts.

Guest editorial: Mentors, encouragers valuable part of college experience

I have to admit I’ve been a bit nostalgic as we’ve worked on this year’s Spotlight on Christian Higher Education

Retired pastor John F. Meadows dies Sept. 10

John F. Meadows — who retired in April from the pastorate of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Salem — died Sept.

Heroes of the Faith: 2021 marks 1500th birthday of Irish abbot, evangelist Columba

Columba (521–597), an abbot and missionary evangelist, studied under prominent monastic teachers in Ireland and founded several monasteries there. He

Talladega pastor, James “Bud” Jacks, dies August 7

James “Bud” Jacks — pastor of Plainview Baptist Church, Talladega — died Aug. 7. He was 68. A native of

Submissions

Lost your password?

Reset password

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

The Snubs and Surprises of the 2024 Olivier Awards

Our theater critics and a reporter discuss the big winner — “Sunset Boulevard” — and the rest of the honorees at Britain’s equivalent of the Tonys.

By Houman Barekat ,  Matt Wolf and Alex Marshall

On Sunday night, the Olivier Awards — Britain’s equivalent to the Tonys — took place in London. As expected, “Sunset Boulevard” took home the most trophies (and will have a Broadway run later this year), but there were also some surprise winners. Matt Wolf and Houman Barekat, The New York Times’s London theater critics, joined the reporter Alex Marshall to discuss the winners, the snubs and the last year in British theater.

Jamie Lloyd’s stripped-back “Sunset Boulevard,” starring Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, took home seven awards. Do you think it deserved to dominate?

ALEX MARSHALL I saw “Sunset Boulevard” from the cheapest of cheap seats in the back row, but it was still my most memorable night in a theater last year. I’m not surprised that Andrew Lloyd Webber responded to the show’s wins by writing on X that it was “a highlight of my career.”

For me, the only downside to its sweep is that Nicholas Hytner’s “ Guys and Dolls ” failed to win any major awards (it picked up one for choreography). If Lloyd’s reimagining of “Sunset” was brutal and stark, Hytner’s revamp was all exuberance and joy.

MATT WOLF I loved everything about “Sunset Boulevard,” so, yes, I do think it deserved to dominate. That said, it must have been galling for the “Guys and Dolls” company to open that show to universal raves last spring, only to have “Sunset” come along and blindside them. The radical daring of Lloyd’s “Sunset” doesn’t happen every day, and “Guys and Dolls” was the unfortunate victim of that fact.

In a competitive category, best actor went to Mark Gatiss for his turn as the revered actor and director John Gielgud in “ The Motive and the Cue .” What made Gatiss’s performance stand out?

WOLF Its heart. Plenty of people have caught Gielgud’s distinctively fluty voice and patrician air, but Gatiss was the emotional anchor of a play that connected with audiences who may have had no idea who Gielgud even was.

His win was the single most exciting one of the night for me, since I was sure that prize would go to Andrew Scott for his one-man “Vanya.” Gatiss’s speech was great, too, beginning with a lesson in how to pronounce his surname (it’s a long A, please) and ending with him once more adopting Gielgud’s voice, to brilliant effect.

HOUMAN BAREKAT For me, it was the understated, controlled manner in which he rendered the character’s emotional complexity. Gatiss’s Gielgud is suffering from late-career ennui, but when he’s in his element he’s assured, witty, wryly acerbic. His predicament — which doubles as a metaphor for artistic endeavor in general — is subtly teased out in this seamless modulation between nagging self-doubt and imperious competence. It was an incredibly poised performance, and he was a worthy winner.

Were there any other surprises among the winners?

MARSHALL I was pleasantly surprised to see “Operation Mincemeat” — a comedy about a bizarre World War II plot — take the award for best new musical. It started at the New Diorama, a small London theater, and its success shows tiny productions can still make it big here.

WOLF I totally agree, and you couldn’t have a best musical winner further removed from shows like the 2022 recipient of this category, “ Back to the Future ,” which essentially exists to prolong a franchise.

I had been rooting for Isley Lynn’s beautiful and mournful play “The Swell” to take the award for achievement in theater away from the West End — but you can’t have everything.

Recently, there has been a run of adventurous directors taking radical approaches to classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals — “ Sunset Boulevard ” in London, “ Jesus Christ Superstar ” in Amsterdam, “Evita” in Washington. Is this a sign of the enduring popularity of these works?

BAREKAT I’d say it’s a sign of their enduring familiarity . These shows have, to put it in crude marketing terms, considerable brand recognition.

I imagine the average Lloyd Webber fan would be happy enough with conventional treatments, but there’s a whole other stratum of people — critics, sponsors, professional peers — who also need to be wowed in order to cultivate a sense of credibility and keep the brand relevant.

So you have this attempt to straddle different artistic traditions, by rendering essentially popular, mainstream shows with avantgarde-ish frills or a more stripped-down aesthetic. Some musicals don’t really lend themselves to that sort of thing — I found Ivo van Hove’s “ Jesus Christ Superstar ” a bit bewildering — but the impulse is understandable.

MARSHALL It’ll be interesting to see how long the trend for radical reworkings lasts. In June, Luke Sheppard will unveil a new “ Starlight Express” in London , which he has promised will reimagine the 1984 musical. Given that original production had actors on roller skates pretending to be trains, let’s see how much crazier Sheppard can make it.

Sarah Snook won best actress for her one-woman performance of “ The Picture of Dorian Gray ,” and Andrew Scott was nominated for similarly playing all the characters in “ Vanya .” Why do you think one-person plays are having such a current impact, especially as a vehicle for actors who are already recognizable from onscreen roles?

WOLF Producers love one-person ventures as they’re cost-effective and tend to bring home awards, as the Tonys, especially, have proven over the years. Scott and Snook both began in the theater: Scott won his first Olivier in 2005 for Rob Evans’s “A Girl in a Car With a Man,” back when nobody knew who he was. So these plays are a way for newly minted screen stars to remind audiences that they are still theater animals.

BAREKAT These shows are cheaper to put on but they can nonetheless feel high-end because, mathematically, you’re watching an all-star cast.

And audiences do seem to buy into it. A significant proportion of theatergoers (and critics) are sufficiently dazzled by the sheer logistical gumption — it’s a feat of personal stamina as much as acting — that they will overlook certain shortcomings in the artifice of the production.

I’m reminded of that line attributed to Stalin: “Quantity has a quality all of its own.” Well, in “Vanya,” the audience got a hell of a lot of Scott, and for many of them, the feeling of concentrated, one-to-one time with a celebrated actor was probably payoff enough.

In his review of “ Stranger Things: The First Shadow ” — which won best new entertainment or comedy play — Houman wrote that “the production is lavish to the point of embarrassment” and wondered, “Haven’t television and cinema already got these bases covered?” As more big-budget London productions are based on successful screen franchises, does this question feel relevant more broadly?

WOLF It’s certainly becoming a kind of norm, though you do then hear people asking, quite sensibly, that if a play aspires so obviously to the status of a film, why make a piece of theater from it in the first place?

BAREKAT This connects in really interesting ways with the success of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and even “Dear England” at these awards.

Whatever one thinks of “Stranger Things,” it’s been a commercial hit. Snook’s “Dorian Gray” attracted a lot of people who know and love Snook from her TV work. And “Dear England” drew in lots of soccer fans, many of whom weren’t regular theater people.

The Society of London Theater, which runs the Oliviers, is the trade association for West End theater in London. It makes sense that the industry should want to express its gratitude for shows that have managed — particularly in these straitened times — to pull in audiences from outside the usual theatergoing demographic.

So many brilliant London productions head to New York, including earlier this year “ The Effect ” at the Shed and later this year, “ Sunset Boulevard ” at the St. James Theater. Are there any productions from the recent season you feel deserve a New York run?

WOLF Marek Horn’s “ Octopolis ,” directed by Ed Madden at the Hampstead Downstairs, was a moving and witty two-hander that really did make you feel as if you were sharing the space with an actual cephalopod.

Among the actual nominees, I’d love to see Sophie Okonedo’s “ Medea ” transfer to New York: Broadway has always loved high-definition acting and Okonedo — already a Tony winner — delivered big-time in this notoriously demanding role.

BAREKAT I was quietly impressed by Jack Thorne’s “ When Winston Went to War With The Wireless ,” which ran at the Donmar Theater in the summer. The play’s themes — the prerogatives and responsibilities of media in polarized times, the role of propaganda in shaping political reality — are highly pertinent.

I also enjoyed Matthew Dunster’s take on Harold Pinter’s “ The Homecoming ” at the Young Vic. Some aspects of the story might be a bit jarring to modern sensibilities, but it was grimly captivating and very slickly done.

WOLF On the topic of “Winston,” on Sunday night it was very moving to have the supporting actress Olivier go to Haydn Gwynne from that show, who died last fall and whose two sons elegantly and eloquently represented their mother at the ceremony.

In the last year, there has been lots of grumbling about the high cost of West End theater tickets . How do you think this is affecting London theater?

WOLF The age of the London theater ticket costing triple digits is now well and truly here, though not quite yet at the stratospheric levels that prevail on Broadway, where higher wages across the board have a lot to do with spiraling ticket costs. The good thing about London is that a range of prices does nonetheless seem possible.

MARSHALL As the perception of high prices becomes more prevalent here, British audiences may be less willing to take a risk on new shows. Earlier this month, the producers of Ivo van Hove’s “ Opening Night ” announced that musical was closing almost two months early, a rarity on the West End.

Hopefully theatergoers put off by West End prices will start heading to smaller venues across London. There’s amazing theater happening at places like The Bush , The Finborough and the Kiln (whose last artistic director, Indhu Rubasingham, has just moved to the National Theater ).

Which productions do you expect to be represented at next year’s Oliviers?

WOLF I’m a huge admirer of Patricia Clarkson’s wounding performance in “ Long Day’s Journey Into Night ” at Wyndham’s Theater. There’s also Rachel O’Riordan’s gorgeous Off West End production of the Brian Friel masterwork, “ Faith Healer .” This is a tricky play, told entirely in monologues, and this recent revival does it proud.

MARSHALL The surest nomination at next year’s Oliviers seems to be Ian McKellen for his turn as Falstaff in “ Player Kings ” — Robert Icke’s adaptation of Parts 1 and 2 of Shakespeare’s “Henry IV.” He’s one of Britain’s theatrical greats, aged 84, performing for nearly four hours.

And this summer’s hottest ticket is already Jamie Lloyd’s new take on “Romeo and Juliet,” starring Tom Holland. Can it sweep the board at the Oliviers like “Sunset Boulevard”?

Alex Marshall is a Times reporter covering European culture. He is based in London. More about Alex Marshall

Arts and Culture Across Europe

A reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard,” starring Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, the long forgotten silent movie star who descends into madness, was the big winner at this year’s Olivier Awards .

New productions of “Macbeth” and “Hamlet” in Paris follow a French tradition of adapting familiar works . The results are innovative, and sometimes cryptic.

The internet latched on to 16-year-old Felicia Dawkins’ performance as The Unknown at a shambolic Willy Wonka-inspired event . Now she’s heading to a bigger and scarier stage in London.

When activists urged Tate Britain in London to take an offensive artwork off its walls, the institution commissioned Keith Piper  to create a response instead. The result recently went on display.

The new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam has been in the works for almost 20 years. It is the first institution to tell the full story  of the persecution of Dutch Jews during World War II.

At a retrospective of John Singer Sargent’s portraits in London, where the American expatriate fled after creating a scandal in Paris, clothes offer both armor and self-expression .