"Compelling... powerful examination"
-Premiere Stages at Kean University
“Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theater in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize ‘Honor Killing,’ by Sarah Bierstock, as a semifinalist in the 2017 Premiere Stages Play Festival. ‘Honor Killing’ rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and an outside panel of theater professionals over the course of five months to be one of 18 semifinalists out of roughly 400 submissions to the Festival. The panel was particularly impressed by the play’s compelling use of technology, and the powerful examination of violence against women throughout the world. Our congratulations and thanks to Sarah.”
"Crackling drama, fast-paced, provocative"
-Bradenton Herald
“Part of the Sarasota Festival of New Plays, Sarah Bierstock’s “Honor Killing” is a crackling drama following New York Times reporter Allisyn Davis’s efforts to unearth the details about the honor killing of a young Pakistani woman. A journalistic adventure, “Honor Killing” is on FST’s Gompertz Theatre stage — FST’s largest venue — through May 25. The fast-paced, provocative play focuses on Allisyn, who is denied admittance into Pakistan, causing an old flame and colleague, Ben, to travel to Pakistan in her stead, while keeping her in the loop and name in the byline. As the story begins to crystallize in front of her, Allisyn is forced to confront her own demons and judgments, inspiring questions about forgiveness, self-worth and justice.”
"Sold out houses with rave reviews"
-Richard Hopkins, Artistic Director, Florida Studio Theatre
“Honor Killing continues to be a huge success here at Florida Studio Theatre. It has played to sold out houses with rave reviews from all the major local arts publications. ”
"Tautly told"
-Kay Kipling, Sarasota Magazine
“The horrific killing of a young Pakistani woman at the hands of her family is the catalyst for the action in Honor Killing, now onstage at Florida Studio Theatre. It’s a world premiere production written by first-time playwright Sarah Bierstock, and it’s a tautly told—if sometimes overwrought—look at culture clashes, differing male-female perspectives, and the value of a woman’s life—not only abroad but back home in America.”
"Powerful scenes... impressive"
-Jay Handelman, The Herald Tribune
“There are several powerful scenes in Sarah Bierstock’s play “Honor Killing” when you can almost sense the entire audience holding its collective breath and reacting simultaneously during the play’s world premiere at Florida Studio Theatre. Bierstock, an actress making an impressive debut as a playwright, has crafted a tightly wound drama about New York Times reporter Allisyn Davis investigating an honor killing — the death by stoning of a young woman in Pakistan by members of her family because she did not marry the man they chose for her. It’s a tragic story that has a deeper meaning for Allisyn than it may for the audience.”
"Gripping... best play this season"
-William S. Oser, Talkin’ Broadway
“Honor Killing is about Allisyn Davis, writer for the New York Times, and her attempts to cover the killing of a woman by her family in Pakistan. The play takes place on three emotional planes: the reporting of the event, the emotional relationship between Allisyn and fellow writer Ben Adams, and Allisyn’s personal back story. Right off we are thrown into the world of the event and efforts to gather information. The glide into the second world, Allisyn and Ben’s history, does not flow as seamlessly as I might wish, but this is minor and perhaps can be adjusted as the play continues to stand on its own legs. From here on the movement between the various emotional arenas is excellent. The play examines the role of women in foreign countries and, most importantly, the righteousness of one culture interfering in another’s deepest issues. At a fast paced 90 minutes, the play is gripping and my attention never wavered.”